2021 is the perfect time to brush up on your hobbies, and home improvement is no exception. With a little creativity and effort, you can turn your house into a home in no time at all. If you’re looking for a fresh way to revamp your space, here are some modern home improvement ideas to get you started.
GIVE YOUR HOME A UPDATED, YET CLASSIC LOOK
If you’re looking for something a little more complex than the basic coat of paint, limewash is the perfect solution. Limewash brick paint penetrates the surface of the brick itself. This means less maintenance on your end, which is always a plus.
Most notably, limewash brick instantly creates a stylistically worn or weathered appearance. This paint is packed with pure limestone, giving it a unique look distinguished from traditional paint. It’s often described as somewhat of a matte or chalky look. Natural wear and tear will be less noticeable, so you won’t have to constantly plan for your next coat of paint.
Moreover, if you’re not sold on painting the entire house, you could opt for a limewash brick accent instead. An outdoor or indoor fireplace, brick backsplash, or accent brick wall could all be great small scale opportunities to use limewash.
WELCOMING WINDOWS
There’s nothing more welcoming than the friendly appearance of window shutters. Best of all, this home improvement project can be as practical as it is pretty. You can opt for either outdoor or indoor shutters to add a polished, classic look to your space.
Shutters also give you extra privacy in ways that traditional blinds or curtains can’t. Plus, shutters built to block out light entirely, which can help you naturally cool down your home during the hot summer months.
Window shutters also come in a surprising amount of varieties. Opt for dark wood, painted wood, vinyl, you name it! Whatever your personal style may be, there’s a shutter out style out there for everyone.
A FRESH COAT OF PAINT
Investing in a fresh coat of exterior paint never goes out of style. Painted brick or wood has a timelessly classic look. However, like any other paint job, exterior painting requires occasional reapplication. At the very least, you could recoat the pain you already have to add polish to your home’s existing exterior.
Exterior paints don't have to be monotonous though. You could opt for a two-toned color scheme to emphasize different parts of the home. Or, start small— you don’t necessarily have to paint your entire house.
Take a look at your outdoor space or deck. Outdoor spaces do require more regular paint reapplication since they’re exposed to the elements, so it’s likely that you’re due for a fresh coat.
CONCRETE STAINING OR STAMPING
Concrete can be simplistic yet beautiful on its own, but you don’t have to stop there. To update your outdoor or indoor concrete flooring, look into staining or stamping.
Stained concrete has a polished, smooth finish to it that works well in basements, modern living rooms, or part of the patio. Stamped concrete is ideal for driveways or patio spaces with its riveted, sturdy design. Unlike other materials, stamped concrete won’t shift since it’s essentially a large concrete slab. Therefore, it’s a super sturdy design option for any of your outdoor spaces.
Notably, stamped and stained concrete comes in a variety of colors and styles. You won’t have to settle with the traditional grey if it doesn’t align with your style sense.
OUTDOOR KITCHENS
Outdoor kitchens are perfect for bringing the whole family together. With the help of a reliable contractor, you can create an outdoor entertainment space that has a built-in grill, fireplace, fridge— if you can dream it, you can do it!
Having a kitchen outdoors expands your home and makes it easy for you to take advantage of your garden or yard. Plus, outdoor kitchens increase the property value of your home which makes them valuable long-term investments.
GRANDIOSE GARDEN SHEDS
Do you have a green thumb? Perhaps it’s time to craft that handy garden shed that you’ve always wanted. Garden sheds can be great for storing all of your outdoor landscaping tools or serve as a serene work or carpentry area.
Moreover, you can also erect a large, modern shed and convert it into a guest room or unique office space. This way, you can enjoy the immersive experience of the outdoors while still getting all of your work done.
Sheds can also be great private spaces to create a home library or private living space. Who said a shed has to be boring? Paint your shed as you would with your home to make a beautiful sanctuary right on your property.
PROP UP A PERGOLA
Pergolas are outdoor wide-open structures with four support beams and a gridded overhead roof. You can add panels to the top of pergolas to provide shade, though its not necessarily a requirement.
Pergolas look great in any outdoor environment, especially as walkways to gardens or outdoor living areas. You can also train vines to weave in or out of a pergola, which makes for a gorgeous outdoor display. These large structures also look great alongside an outdoor kitchen or entertainment area.
These beautiful structures can help extend your home to an outdoor space and can also add a layer of shade or privacy. They’re a great way to frame your outdoor space, especially if you don’t have access to a deck or outdoor patio.
SPA-LIKE SHOWERS
Why not invest in a home improvement project that turns your bathroom into a spa-like oasis? If you’re looking for a project that will improve your day to day life, renovating your bathroom is a great place to start.
With little to no hassle, you can easily swap out your showerhead for an updated fixture. This way, you’ll be able to enjoy a more satisfying shower every single morning. More intense bathroom projects include replacing the countertops, installing heated floors, or even a steam room or sauna.
Bathrooms or powder rooms can also be instantly updated with wallpaper or a fresh coat of paint. Standalone tubs also give your bathroom a classy, unique look. You could even put in a stylish resting bench in your bathroom if you have space to really give it the spa-like experience.
LIGHTING MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE
So many of us focus on furniture or walls when it comes to home improvement. However, one of the best ways to instantly elevate your home’s atmosphere is to focus on updating your lighting. This could be an outdoor or indoor project.
Moreover, you could start small by focusing on a single room. Whatever it may be, investing in your home’s lighting will make a noticeable difference in style. As an added bonus, you can also look for energy-efficient lighting options and save money on your future utility bills.
Brighten up your bedroom or living room with a pair of unique wall sconces. Or, opt for a small accent chandelier. If you want to do something less labor-intensive, pick out some unique floor lamps. For tech-enthusiasts, smart home lighting that’s compatible with Amazon Alexa or Google Home may be exactly what you need. Line your garden or driveway with inexpensive outdoor lights for that extra friendly touch.
By brightening up your home in any way, you’re sure to make your house more inviting for visitors and valued guests.
A FRESH BACKSPLASH
Looking for a quick, beautiful way to transform your kitchen or powder room? If so, an updated backsplash is perfect for your needs. The backsplash refers to the area of panels behind a sink or stove that protects the wall from splash residue.
Backsplashes are relatively easy to install and come in a wide variety of patterns, colors, and textures. You can get porcelain, ceramic, marble, mosaic, or even granite backsplash for example. Not only does a backsplash make your kitchen or bathroom look instantly updated, but it also can make those surfaces easier to clean.
After all, no one likes to be stuck with a permanently stained wall. With just a day or two of installation, you can easily have an eye-catching focal point between your cabinets and countertops.
ACCENT WALLS
One of the best home improvement ideas that won’t break your wallet or take up too much of your time, is by picking out an accent wall for your home. While fully white or taupe walls still have a classic look, adding in a small pop of color can transform your home into a modern, chic sanctuary.
You can experiment with patterns, colors, textures, and more. When it comes to accent walls, there’s a whole world out there, so get creative! You can easily create contemporary wall art with the help of a few complimentary accent colors and painter’s tape.
Or, look for simple peel-and-stick wallpaper patterns that look surprisingly polished. Whatever you choose to do with your accent wall, make sure it showcases your unique sense of style. After all, a house isn’t a home without some heart.
SPICE UP YOUR STAIRS
The stairs are one of the most overlooked sections of home improvement. However, there are a whole host of ways to improve your staircase for the better. One unique design trend that’s only surfaced within the past couple of years is adding wallpaper or colored accents to the exposed wood on stairs.
You can easily get tile-like, patterned, or textured stick-on stair decals to instantly give your staircase lots of character. Stairs can also benefit from a fresh coat of paint or an accent color exterior.
Another idea is to update the newel post for a different shape or an entirely different look. If you have carpeted stairs, you could opt to switch to exposed wood paneling or upgrade the carpet entirely. Or, find a sturdy stair runner for a pop of color. Get creative with this one— staircases are incredibly overlooked home improvement opportunities, so they’re a great chance to express your unique sense of style.
FIND UNIQUE KNOBS
Looking for an easy way to instantly update your cabinetry? Search for unique door, cabinet, and closet knobs. Knobs are pretty inexpensive and easy to replace, making them an ideal home improvement project for renovators of all experience levels. They might just add the extra layer of polish and personal touch your house needs to truly feel like a home.
No matter how much time you are willing to dedicate for your next home improvement or remodeling project, there are numerous options to allow you to take your home to the next level. The Good Guys are always ready to help you safely execute your most challenging home improvement projects. We are happy to answer any of your questions or concerns to get you one step closer to having the home of your dreams. Happy remodeling!