Weekend DIY Projects That Actually Add Value to Your Home
Let’s be honest. You’re probably reading this at 11 PM, halfway through your third home improvement YouTube video, convinced you’re going to renovate your entire house this weekend. I’ve been there. Multiple times. With the paint splatters on my favorite jeans to prove it.
But here’s something most DIY blogs won’t tell you – not every weekend project is worth your time. Some will actually hurt your home’s value. After years of trial, error, and one particularly regrettable bathroom tile incident, I’ve figured out which projects actually pay off.
The Front Door Makeover Nobody Talks About
I’ll start with the easiest win. Your front door is probably boring. Mine was too – basic builder beige that screamed “I gave up in 2003.” Turns out, painting your front door is basically printing money.
Here’s what actually worked: I spent $45 on quality exterior paint (don’t cheap out here), another $30 on new hardware, and one Saturday afternoon. The return? Real estate agents tell me a fresh front door can return up to 100% of what you spend. But the real benefit? Every single person who visits comments on it.
Pick a color that doesn’t make your neighbors hate you but also isn’t beige. Deep blues, rich greens, or classic black all work. Just please, test the sample first. I learned this the hard way when “Midnight Navy” looked suspiciously purple in actual sunlight.
