It’s easy to forget that we can do simple fixes to our home over a weekend. We get so caught up in daydreaming about a kitchen renovation or becoming increasingly irritated with a cramped bathroom that we forget there are things we can do now with little effort and incredible reward.

There are many things in our home that we gloss over, even though we use them every day. But those items help create a dated or tired look, and once we replace them, we wonder why we never fixed them before!

Doors

Doors are often forgotten about. We use them every day but, for the most part, don’t think much about them. That is until you have a hollow core door or a beat-up one that is an eye sore. Many newer builds, like the 90s to now, have been using hollow core doors, and they look and feel like plastic, and you can hear every noise through these doors! I have them in my home, and I can hear the basement dehumidifier from my home office and every other little noise.

Another thing to think about is the door style. The door style I see the most is the 6-panel colonial door, which doesn’t work in some homes, like a Craftsman or Victorian home. Or an extravagant exterior door on a modern home. Select a door style that is true to your home’s design style. Most millwork catalogs make finding a Craftsman door for your Craftsman home easy.

So what kind of doors should you get? First, get a solid core door for all interior doors. They are beautiful and help with soundproofing. You can do a solid wood door, but the benefit of a solid core is that you won’t have to deal with the door swelling in humidity and cracking from the constant shrink and swell. As for the door style, go for a 6-panel if your home is a typical Colonial, 4 4-panel for a Georgian Colonial, or a truly unique Dutch door for Dutch Colonial homes. Or a two to 3-panel door with windows for a Craftsman home. Whatever style home you have, try to find a door style that is true to the architecture. 

Hardware

I’m sure we’ve all heard this tip for your cabinets. It’s an easy and inexpensive upgrade for your kitchen or bathroom, but you should also update your door hardware. Suppose you have different door hardware all over the house. Installing the same door handle for your interior doors, and another type for your exterior doors is worth it. It’s amazing now how much of a difference new door handles make, and it’s a great way to make your home look updated or taken care of for very little money.

Doorbells

So I know we all have the Ring cameras and the minimal doorbells, but I miss the old doorbells. Having something with a minimal design can make it confusing. Where is the doorbell? Is this the doorbell? Is it ringing? Get an ornate or vintage-looking doorbell that creates this unique and beautiful detail that people notice and appreciate in your home. Bonus if you get a door knocker. Combine that with a style-appropriate door and new door knob, and your home will look incredible.

Appliances

Unfortunately, appliances of the past were built better than the appliances of today. They used to be engineered to last long and be easily repaired, plus they had all sorts of ingenious organization. Appliances nowadays must be completely replaced instead of repaired; worse, they don’t last long! So, an easy way to update your kitchen is to buy new appliances if you have these “newer” appliances that don’t last long. Opt for trusted brands that last 15+ years and can be repaired, like Sub Zero, Boshe, or Miele. 

Thermostats

Like door hardware, thermostats can quickly date your home. So replace old thermostats that are dingy or faded. You can go with a Nest thermostat or something that looks clean and organized. I see people on social media offer DIY tips to cover your thermostat. As a designer, all I have to say is, why? Just leave your thermostat alone or update it if it’s so bad you want to cover it up, and it’s not recommended to cover it anyway. 

Light switch plates

Switch or outlet plates are the easiest to replace. These can discolor over time, so going for white will instantly freshen the space. If you want to add something unique and stylish, you could opt for a brass cover or something very modern if you live in a mid-century modern home. Changing out these covers is the easiest and cheapest fix that will have a big impact.

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