5 Home Improvement Projects You Can Do in an Afternoon

U-Haul strives to empower our customers to be do-it-yourself gurus! But we know that home improvement projects can require you to put in some work. Luckily, there are plenty of projects that don’t require a huge amount of time or financial commitment. Here are five quick and easy projects that will improve the look of your home in just one day! 

1. Install Molding

One easy way to enhance the look of any room is by adding some molding. Crown molding is a decorative border you can add to the top of your walls. They can come in unique patterns that cater to many different styles. Baseboards are like crown molding, but they line the bottom of your walls. They’re a little less flashy but along with crown molding, it can really elevate the look of your home. 

2. Add and Replace Caulking

After you add some crown molding and baseboards, caulking is a great way to seal them in and create a more polished look. But why stop there? Overtime, caulking can start separating from the wall and develop some discoloring. Adding a new layer of caulking is a great way to add a polished look to your home. 

You can also use caulking to protect your home against heat, cold, and rain. Aim for gaps between walls and windowsills, and basically any gaps where sunlight pokes through. This will help preserve your energy bill in the long run! 

3. Try Out Landscaping

If you want to make your house look like it came straight out of a catalogue, try sprucing it up from the outside. Here are a few chores that you can get done in an afternoon and leave your yard looking pristine:

• Power wash your driveway and pathways 
• Get rid of any weeds 
• Mow the lawn 
• Plant trees, flowers, or other foliage 
• Add low voltage landscape lighting 
• Add some seating 
• Build a firepit 
• Hang up some string lights

4. Get New Hardware 

Not loving the look of your cabinets but don’t have the money to get them replaced? Well, consider switching up the handles, instead! Handles and knobs are relatively cheap and only require a screwdriver to install. It’s an easy low-effort way to imitate the look of brand-new cabinets. 

5. Paint an Accent Wall 

A fresh coat of paint can really tidy up the look of your room. But we all know that painting can be a laborious and time-consuming task. Instead, try creating an accent wall! 

When selecting an accent wall, try to select the wall that normally captures your attention when you step inside the room. Painting your walls a lighter color is a great way to create the illusion of more space, but bold colors add a creative pop to a room. If you’re feeling flashy, consider getting jazzy wallpaper or stencils to give the room more flair. 

Focus on Scuffs, Stains, and Chips 

Not interested in spending a whole day painting? Then only focus on the parts that need to be fixed! Scope out the parts of your walls that have scuffs, chips, or smudges and add thin layers of paint to freshen things up.  

Wondering how to get the perfect shade? Most paint stores can color match your walls easily. If possible, try to have a picture of the color or even a chip of paint with you to ensure you don’t get splotchy miss-matched walls. 

With these simple projects, you can leave your home looking brand new! It’s a great way to make a fixer-upper look more like a home. Or, if you’re looking to put your house on the market, it’s an easy way to make things look a little more presentable. No matter how you’re looking to improve your home, U-Haul is here to help you do it! With our extensive collection of supplies and our even larger fleet of trucks, trailers, and storage units, U-Haul can help you accomplish any large-scale moves or home projects for an affordable price.