Summer is the perfect season for home improvement projects and DIY updates around the house. Take the time (and money) to give your home some TLC this summer. Not only will it increase the overall value of your home, but making little upgrades here and there could save you a lot of money in the future.
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Home improvements, like adding central air conditioning or renovating an entire room in your home, can be costly. But low-cost projects can add value for less money. Here are some simple, affordable home improvement projects you can try this summer that won't break the bank.
1. Pressure wash your outdoor areas
Winter weather can leave all kinds of dirt and grime on the exterior of your home and other outdoor areas. Take advantage of the warm weather and power wash your home. A pressure washer can quickly remove built-up grime from siding, driveways, decks, patios, and walkways.
If you don't have a pressure washer, you can often rent one at your local home improvement or hardware store. When cleaning the exterior of your home, aim the water downward to avoid getting into cracks and seams. Use a low-pressure setting for surfaces that can easily be scratched, such as painted siding or wood decks.
2. Repair your deck
Sprucing up your deck with a fresh coat of paint or stain in preparation for summer parties is a really great summer home improvement project. Repainting your deck not only makes it look nicer, it also reduces cracks and debris, making the surface more gentle on bare feet. Proper preparation is the key to a beautiful finish, so take the time to clean the surface and strip off any old finish before you begin.
While you're there, consider giving your patio furniture a paint job to make it look like new, then hang some outdoor string lights to create a dreamy oasis perfect for hosting an event.
Jay Wilde
3. Build a shed
Building a shed in your backyard can add value to your home and provide a place to store your lawnmower. Before you begin this project, check with your local government, as building codes and ordinances vary by area. Once you've received permission, choose an easily accessible spot in your yard and prepare a sturdy, level foundation. You can purchase shed kits at hardware stores or online, or find building plans that are easy to customize with a variety of materials.
4. Organize your home
One summer home improvement project that can make a big difference in your living space is decluttering. Air out and organize the garage, outdoor storage, basement, and other areas that are often forgotten and not used much during the colder months. Decluttering usually costs nothing, and you can even make some money selling the items you no longer use. Plus, you can use that money to pay for other home improvements.
“It doesn't cost anything except a week or two of your time and the ability to clear out and let go of the unnecessary clutter that no longer brings joy to you or your home,” says Emilie Dulles, lifestyle design expert and founder of Dulles Designs. Clutter can cost money, and getting rid of what you don't use can free up space in your home, plus spark ideas for other improvements.
5. Freshen up your home with some paint
Summer is the perfect season for larger painting projects. If you have areas in your home that you want to repaint, like an entire room or the exterior, summer is the perfect time. A little paint can make a big difference in a space. The warm weather allows the paint to cure properly and last longer.
“I think painting is one of the best DIY projects because if you make a mistake, it's easy to fix,” says Chicago real estate developer Bill Samuel. “If you take the time to repair scratches and do a quality job, it can have a big impact on the overall space.” Expect to pay between $15 and $50 per gallon, says Samuel. More expensive paints will cover your walls better and last longer. Dulles recommends painting part (or all) of your home white to make it appear larger and brighter.
6. Check your gutters
This may not be the most fun or creative home improvement project, but it's an important one to protect your home from summer storms and prepare it for the cold season ahead.
“A winter followed by a wet spring can wreak havoc on gutters and downspouts,” says Bailey Carson, a home expert at Angie, a digital company that helps people find local professionals for home improvements. “If left unattended, you could end up having to replace your entire gutters and downspouts, or worse, you'll be dealing with foundation damage, interior water damage, cracked driveways, and landscaping erosion.” This damage can cost a lot more than the average $160 gutter cleaning, which can range from $118 to $225.
All you need (if you don't already have this equipment) is a gutter cleaning attachment for your garden hose, a ladder, a bucket, a gutter shovel, and some sturdy gloves. You can also purchase gutter guards to protect your gutters and prevent leaves from building up in the first place.
Adam Albright
7. Landscaping
Give your yard some attention, too. As you enjoy the beautiful summer weather, you're sure to be spending more time there. The cost of renovating your outdoor space will vary depending on the project, but with some easy DIY improvements you can upgrade your backyard or front yard for much less money.
Marina Vaamonde, commercial real estate investor and founder of Property Cashin, recommends beautifying your front yard. “A garden enhances the appearance of your home and increases your property value. Summer is the perfect time to plant perennials – a variety of flowers that are easy to care for and look great,” says Vaamonde. She also suggests lupines and hydrangeas as beautiful (and easy to care for) additions to your garden.
Planting plants and flowers along your path to your front door can instantly improve the look and liven up your front yard, says money saving expert Andrea Woloch. You can do the same in your backyard by removing overgrown or dead plants, trees, and shrubs and making room for patio furniture.
8. Clean or replace your AC filters
Another less fun but important summer home improvement project is cleaning or replacing the filters in your HVAC unit. Don't worry, this is a quick job that won't take as long as cleaning your gutters.
“Filters get dirty, especially if you haven't changed them in six months or more,” says Rick Hoskins, home DIY expert and founder of FilterKing. Dirty filters can circulate dust, mold, and other allergens throughout your home when your AC is on in the summer, triggering allergies. Simply find your air conditioner and furnace vents, unscrew them, and clean or replace the filters. Hoskins suggests looking for filters with a MERV rating of 8 to 13 for optimal protection.
9. Siding Repair
Summer is a good time to check your vinyl siding for holes or tears, as well as unsightly areas with dirt or stains. If you find small areas of damage, you can clean them and repair them with caulk. If the area of siding that needs repair is larger (beyond your DIY skill level), seek professional help.
Check the integrity of the caulk at siding seams and corners. You may need a new bead of caulk to secure the siding. Remove any old, dried caulk and apply a new bead where needed.
10. Install a new doorbell
Maybe your home needs a new doorbell that works better, or maybe you're ready to upgrade to the next generation of video doorbell that will keep the “front door intruders” at bay. Either way, summer is the perfect time to replace your doorbell.
Even if you're not tech-savvy, installation is fairly easy and the manufacturer provides detailed instructions. Of course, no two homes are the same, and the manufacturer's instructions may not answer your questions. To make the process easier, we've created a step-by-step video doorbell installation guide.
Krisada Panichgul
11. Plant a garden
Longer days mean more time to work outdoors. For gardeners and aspiring gardeners, summer is the season for growing new plants, designing new flower beds, and improving the soil. If you've never planted a plant in your life, there's a lot to consider: where to plant, the soil, the light conditions, the level of care you want to give your plants, and even whether you want to grow them for food or for flower beds.
If you want to start small, consider raised garden beds. The structure of the bed (usually made of wood of some kind) will determine the size of plants you can grow and therefore the amount of time you will need to devote to your garden.
12. Clean your windows
Clean windows enhance the appearance of your home, let natural light into the interior, and give you a better view of the outside world. But cleaning windows can be a logistical challenge. How do you safely approach windows, especially those on the second floor? There are many methods available, including ladders, telescoping poles, magnetic window cleaners, and robotic cleaners, but safety is paramount.
If you're not comfortable working on a ladder or have tricky terrain, there are plenty of gadgets and tools available to help you reach those hard-to-reach windows, from telescoping squeegees to spray cleaners that attach to garden hoses, to robots.
13. Add lights to your garden
Letting light in is a great way to make your garden usable any time of the day. Garden lights along walkways add style as well as safety. There are plenty of low voltage landscape lights available. Or, for the easiest way to add light, buy solar lights. They're sold off the shelf in big box stores, but you can also find plenty online. Just stick them in the ground and that's it. The sun charges the lights during the day. The lights come on in the evening.
Another way to light up your garden is to hang string lights on your trees, wrapping them around the low branches and trunks. If a permanent installation is possible, hire a professional to install uplighting in your tree for an even more dramatic effect.
Long summer nights are more enjoyable with light