Start Your Home Reno Like a Fairy Godmother With These 8 Easy-to-Do Ideas

The average home remodel costs $15,000, which is a mind-blowing number. But you don’t have to break the bank, even if you’re tired of looking at the same old walls and outdated fixtures. Before you start ripping everything apart, consider starting with some small, easy-to-do ideas that can make a big impact. In this article, we’ve got some great tips and products to help you get started on your home renovation journey and turn your living space into the oasis you deserve.

1. Transform your countertops on a budget with clear tabletop epoxy resin. This magic solution can give your tabletop a fresh, new look in no time. Changing your countertops can cost anywhere from $825 to $3,850, which is a lot. But if you are prepared to put in a little effort, you can save a ton of money.

4.4 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• Countertops covered with epoxy resin are a great choice if you want a surface that will last a long time and that is super durable.
• They will be non-porous, which means they’re resistant to moisture.
• The glossy finish can make even the cheapest materials look fancy.
• The 1-to-1 mix is a breeze to use and leaves a smooth finish that’s as clear as glass.

❌ Cons:

• This product only covers about 4 square feet (0.37 m2) of surface area with a flood coat.
• And it takes a while to dry.

• I absolutely love this stuff.
  Made my tabletop look brand new again. I used the faux marble method, and it turned out great. It was very easy to use and took me about 30 minutes to complete. @Laure Hahn

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2. Use this wall spackle repair paste to patch up all the holes in your apartment or house that you have been putting off for years. With everything you need included, this paste is a breeze to use and will have your walls looking brand new in no time.

4.3 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• The kit comes with everything you need to get the job done right, including wall repair paste, a nozzle extender, a scraper, rubber gloves, and sandpaper.
• If you’re someone who has never patched up a wall before, this is the perfect solution for you.

❌ Cons:

• The product is quite watery, which can make it messy to work with.
• Keep in mind that this spackle paste is best suited for minor touch-ups and fixes.

• I used this product to fill up all the drill holes in my apartment, and it worked well for that purpose. It saved me the deposit. I will buy it again when I have to move :) @Aishwarya

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3. Getting rid of outdated, yellowed wallpaper can make a huge difference in sprucing up your apartment or home. And with the wallpaper stripper, it’s a breeze! Even if you think the wallpaper will be a pain to remove, this handy tool makes it easy and fast. It’s super pleasant to use, and it melts away even the toughest adhesive paste in no time.

4.2 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• This wallpaper stripper goes on and soaks in quickly, and then the wallpaper comes off in big, satisfying chunks.
• It can cut through 3 layers of paper and paste.

❌ Cons:

• It has a pretty strong citrus smell.

• Incredible how easy it is.
  This product is amazing! I have 2 layers of wallpaper on the wall and thought there would be no way to take it off easily. I just scored, sprayed, waited the 5 minutes, and scraped it off. I had to repeat it a few times to get through all the layers.
  I’m going to have to buy gallons of this stuff for the room! Very much worth it. @Amy Carrigan

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4. This decorative art roller can upgrade any project you’re working on. Whether you’re changing up your walls, ceilings, furniture, or cabinets, texture rollers are the perfect way to add extra detail and make your space truly unique.

4.1 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• You can achieve one-of-a-kind results by using this leaf-patterned roller.
• It is great to make a textured ceiling or walls.
• And it works best when rolled through texture mediums, plasters, and glazes.
• You can even use it with non-quick-drying paints, like chalk-based paints.

❌ Cons:

• The only downside is that you may need a bit of practice to achieve truly amazing results.

• Easy 2-step ceiling texturing!
  I textured 1100 sq ft (102.19 sq m) of ceilings—rolling is the way to go! Watered down to a waffle batter consistency, I applied the joint compound to the bond-primed surface with a 3/4″ (1.9 cm) paint roller. Then I used the patterned roller in random directions to create the textured design. Turned out great! @Rachel Cain

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5. Upgrading your cabinet door handles with new modern hardware can significantly enhance the look of your kitchen, and it’s also very affordable. Plus, it’s a simple DIY project that anyone can tackle. If you’re just replacing one set of hardware with another, all you need is the new hardware and a screwdriver.

4.6 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• These cabinet pulls are very well-made and seem like they will last a long time.
• They come with tiny screws, which are required for the majority of cabinets, and adjustable screws, which break into the right sizes as needed for particular cabinets.
• Be sure to choose the appropriate size of cabinet pulls for the holes in your cabinets/drawers.

❌ Cons:

• They are lightweight and made from hollow tubing.

• Definitely worth the price!
  These are great cabinet pulls for the money! Although they are hollow pulls, they are still very sturdy. We are doing a kitchen update on a budget, and these matched the existing solid pulls we purchased previously perfectly! These pulls do what they need to, look much more expensive, and the price is hard to beat! @JLK

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6. We all make mistakes, and sometimes those mistakes can include accidentally damaging walls. But don’t worry, any mistake can be fixed, and chipped paint can easily be covered up with paint touch up. And if you’re unsure about the color, you can order paint samples to make sure you get the perfect shade.

4.3 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• The satin finish formula of this paint touch-up is perfect for covering scratches, stains, cracks, and chips.
• The bottle is similar to a giant nail polish bottle, which makes it super easy to get just the right amount of paint to touch up anything.
• With 24 different color options, you’re sure to find the perfect match for your needs.
• But, it’s important to follow the instructions and clean the area first to make sure the color matches and the paint adheres properly.

❌ Cons:

• In some areas where the chipped paint is darker underneath, it may require 2 coats.

• Perfect match, made in the USA.
  I’m so impressed, not only with the paint but also with the customer experience with this brand. I wasn’t sure what color I needed for my kitchen cabinets, so I ordered color swatches off their site. The swatches were delivered within days and really helped me pick the best match. Ultimately, I went with Oxman White.
  I dare you to find where I painted! I definitely recommend this product and company. @grace

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7. Switch out all your old light bulbs for energy-efficient LED bulbs. Not only are they affordable, but you can replace all the bulbs in a room with just one pack! Plus, one happy customer reported saving a whopping $140.80 over the course of a year.

4.7 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• These bulbs last up to 7 years—that’s a long time to not have to worry about replacing bulbs.
• They have an annual energy cost of just $1.08.
• The soft white color temperature is perfect for creating a warm and inviting atmosphere in your living room or bedroom.
• And they use up to 85% less energy than those old-school incandescent bulbs, which means you’ll save big on your energy bill.

❌ Cons:

• Unfortunately, these bulbs don’t ship to California.
• And there’s a slight delay when you turn them on, but it’s only a few milliseconds.

• Daylight bulbs for the win!
  These have literally changed our bathrooms! I can’t believe I’ve been doing my makeup with old yellow lighting! This bright daylight white is so vibrant and makes me so happy!!! Lol! And the price—and overnight shipping!
  Buy them! I rarely leave reviews, but I’m literally obsessed! @Nat

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8. With these vinyl floor tiles, you can have a brand-new floor in a matter of hours with simple DIY installation. If you want to entirely change the atmosphere of your apartment or house, just peel and stick your way to a new floor.

4.1 ⭐ out of 5

✔️ Pros:

• Installing these vinyl tiles is a breeze because you don’t need any special tools or grout.
• They’re water-resistant and washable, which makes them perfect for bathrooms and kitchens.
• Each package comes with 10 tiles, so you’ll have plenty to work with.
• It’s the perfect way to cover gross old linoleum.

❌ Cons:

• The only downside is that you might have a bit of trouble getting the pattern to match up with other tiles.

• Great temporary solution for a rental.
  Was pretty easy to install. The hardest part was cutting the tiles. Use a really sharp blade. Some straight lines can even be cut with scissors.
  Lining up the pattern was a bit difficult, as others have mentioned. But since the pattern is busy, it is hardly noticeable. The adhesion is great, but I am only expecting it to last a year in my rental apartment. I would highly recommend it as a cheap and easy facelift! @Shea Bailey
• Perfect way to cover gross 1980s linoleum
  Very inexpensive, attractive, and easy to install. No one who comes to my house can believe I did these myself. @Bridget Doherty

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Put a final touch on your apartment or home renovation with these ideas.

Bright Side gets commissions for purchases made through the links in this post. All prices are valid at the time of publication. Reviews could have been edited for length and clarity.