Easy and Affordable Easy Home Update Ideas: Part 2

I don’t think you all know how much it makes my heart happy with how much you enjoyed part 1 of this series. If you missed it, you can see it below!

Easy and Affordable Updates for Your Home: Part 1

I promised you another idea roundup, and I’m back with three more easy home update ideas that you can do quickly and without spending a fortune. And one of these is my favorite update idea!

Affordable and Easy Home Update Idea #1: Paint the Doors

I think this is a recurring theme… PAINT! Guys, paint is an easy home update! It is so easy to change, it makes a HUGE impact, and for the size of transformation it can make, paint is really cost-effective! Painting your doors, whether it’s interior or exterior doors, is so simple and can make a huge impact. In fact, painting your front door can increase your curb appeal, which in turn can increase your home value. So win-win!

You can get in-depth tips and tricks for painting your exterior door HERE!

A couple of years ago, I painted my front door. Watch the video to see a quick recap of that! I absolutely love how it turned out. I sprayed the door, but you can roll it too! Here is a link to a paint sprayer that is affordable but still great! CLICK HERE!

I have a few tips for painting doors…

The best kinds of paint to use are multi-surface acrylic or urethane paint. Or if you are unsure, ask the best paint counter.
Remove or cover the hardware before painting. Removing the handle is not complicated; simply unscrew it, and it comes right off. It is worth it to remove the handles to avoid getting paint on them. Also, be sure to cover the hinges with tape.

3. If you are painting an exterior door attached to stucco or stone, duct tape is great instead of painter’s tape.
4. When rolling instead of spraying, use a foam roller. Foam rollers are best for when painting a smooth surface.
5. You do not need to prime the door first if you use a good-quality paint. If you use primer, make sure it is shellac or oil-based.
6. If you only paint one side of the door, also paint the side panels that are most visible from the side you are painting. For example, if you are painting the exterior side, also paint the hinge side. If you are painting the interior side, also paint the strike edge. See image.

Idea #2: Frame the Windows

Framing your windows is one of my favorite transformations. It makes the window go from boring and blending in with the wall to intentional and standing out. It is my favorite way to add character to a space with minimal effort. There are SO MANY ways you can frame a window, but here is how I have it in my home (see below).

Once the window has the trim added, you can take it another step and paint the trim. But check out this before and after of this window! Isn’t it incredible? I made a whole post about how to frame your window like this. You can check it out HERE! For the nail gun I use, CLICK HERE. Here is the caulk gun I love: CLICK HERE.

Idea #3: Change the Light Fixtures

Before you say that you are not going to change your light fixtures, hear me out! I have changed more lights than I can count. The majority of lights are so simple to change. Occasionally, you get the light that has weird quirks about it, but for the most part, they are very straightforward. If not, I have found the manufacturer’s manual is usually super helpful. You can read about how to change a light fixture in detail HERE.

I get asked all the time what lights I have, so here is a list of almost every light I have in my home. CLICK HERE to view the complete list, and keep scrolling for a few of my favorite lights in my home! All the images are clickable.