11 Affordable Home Improvement Ideas You Can Tackle This Weekend

Updates that will make a big difference to your home – without breaking the bank.

Maintaining and updating your home is no mean feat. It can often feel like there are an endless amount of tasks to do in order to keep things looking fresh and cared for. And it can be particularly hard to do home renovations and updates when the cost of living is rising and many of us are busier than ever.

Although weekends are designed for a bit of relaxation, they're also the perfect time to tackle some easy, DIY home updates. There are plenty of small projects you can take on that will improve the look and feel of your living space and that won't cost you the earth.

Below, we've rounded up 11 affordable home improvement ideas that you can easily tackle yourself and that will make a surprising difference to your home's appearance.

1. A fresh coat of paint

Paint has a transformative effect on a room and is one of the cheapest and easiest ways to revamp your home. Whether it's updating your white walls or injecting a bit of colour into your space, it's quite amazing how much of a difference a fresh coat of paint can make and how it can change the ambience of a room.

2. Switch up your hardware

To avoid buying brand new furniture or cabinetry, the easiest (and cheapest) way to elevate existing joinery and furniture is to replace the handles or knobs with something more luxe. Simply remove one and bring it along to the hardware store where you'll be able to find a wide range of replacements, from brass to matte black and more decorative options. You'll be surprised at how effective this method is at creating a fresh, custom look.

3. Swap out dated lights

Beautiful lights can significantly energise or soothe a space. Lighting is one of the essential elements of a room and can impact how everything else, from the wall colour to the art to the rug, looks. Whether it's updating an old pendant light or table lamps, consider swapping out your current lighting for something more inspiring.

4. Hang up some art

You don't need to pay thousands of dollars to dress your walls, prints will also work nicely to elevate your home. Opt for visuals that reflect your style and the style of your home. Our exclusive collection of prints made in collaboration with leading Australian artists will instantly enrich your space.

5. Replace bathroom caulk and grout

It's not the most glamorous idea, but it's recommended you recaulk your bathroom every five years, and regrout when you see cracks and stains. If it's a rainy weekend and you've got no plans, it might be a good opportunity to refresh your bathroom.

6. Replace your bedding

Unsurprisingly, we love any excuse to switch up your bedding. Our extensive colour range makes it super simple to pick out a new tone to brighten your room and give it a whole new look. Also, consider the age of your mattress and pillows. Mattresses should be replaced approximately every 10 years, and pillows every two years.

7. Organise your pantry and kitchen drawers

If your kitchen pantry and drawers are looking a bit chaotic or you have no idea what is lurking in them, it's time to clear things out and better organise everything. Spend a weekend organising your kitchen, decanting pantry staples into matching labelled jars or containers to keep things neat behind closed doors.

If you have to keep certain things out on the bench, try to go for a uniform look. In drawers, dividers will help keep everything in its place. The end result will be a kitchen that feels functional and, crucially, a little larger than the small space that it occupies.

8. Clean your rugs

Even though rugs should be cleaned every 6-12 months, particularly if you have young children or pets, it's one task many of us tend to neglect or simply forget about it. Here's your reminder that it might be a long-overdue task to tackle ASAP.

9. Use a high pressure washer

A Gerni high pressure washer is great for cleaning up footpaths/driveways, brick walls, fences, and decks, making them look good as new. Just a few passes with the machine will remove in-ground dirt and stains as well as surface algae and tree sap.

10. Clean up your skirting boards

Skirting boards are one of those hidden design elements we rarely think of. But they are prone to scuff marks and discolouration and need a good clean every now and then. A simple mix of vinegar and warm water will do the job well.

11. Change that shower curtain

When was the last time you swapped out your shower curtain? If you can’t remember, then it’s time to update it with a new version. Shower curtains, for those of us who use them, occupy important real estate in the bathroom, so your choice of colour, material and pattern makes a surprisingly large difference.

If you’re feeling uninspired by your bathroom, swapping out the shower curtain will elevate the room immediately, simply by introducing a new colour or print to the space. Best of all, shower curtains tend not to be expensive, so you can feel smug as you exchange your grimy old curtain for a fresh one.