Weekend Warriors: 5 DIY Projects to Improve Your Home’s Value

Plans for the weekend? How about dusting off the electric saw and putting those power tools to good use?

Call Dave and say you’re not going to make it for Friday night’s football game because you’ve work to do.

What better way to spend the weekend than rolling up your sleeves and adding real value to your biggest asset: your home? Maybe that’s a stretch; Friday night football trumps everything else.

Before talking yourself out of it, remember that DIY isn’t slapdash. With the right approach, a few hundred bucks, and some grit, you can upgrade your space in a way that increases resale value.

Time to dive into five smart, satisfying DIY projects that’ll impress potential buyers and appraisers alike.

#1. Refresh Your Curb Appeal

Anyone who sets foot in your house is judging it from the street. A few exterior touch-ups can make a big difference.

Simple Wins:

• Paint your front door a bold, modern color (HGTV suggests black, navy, or red for contrast).

• Add solar-powered landscape lighting to frame your walkway.

• Install a new mailbox or update house numbers for a sleek touch.

Investopedia states that improving curb appeal can add 7-10% to your home’s value, without a full-scale renovation. A weekend’s worth of work with a $100 to $200 budget? That’s ROI gold.

#2. Garage Door Tune-Up: More Than Cosmetic

Climate change brings with it unpredictable weather. ClimateCheck highlights Murfreesboro, Tennessee, in particular.

The city is likely to experience increased risks from precipitation and heat in the coming years. For homeowners living in this area, now’s a good time to check the garage door for any signs of swelling or brittleness. 

DIY light maintenance, like lubricating tracks or cleaning the sensor, can be done by you. At the same time, it is best to leave serious repairs to experienced technicians and supervise them to get things done.

A quick online search for garage door repair in Murfreesboro should yield a few results when you cannot handle extensive repair on your own.

Local pros offer fast repair services and can advise whether it’s time for a replacement and new garage door installation. Proffitts Garage Door suggests hiring a garage door company that does free estimates and same-day appointments.

#3. Paint, But Make It Strategic

While repainting an entire home can be daunting, small, focused paint jobs can produce great results.

Best Spots to Hit:

• Kitchen cabinets - A fresh coat of white or soft gray paint can make old cabinetry look brand new.

• Bathrooms - Light, neutral tones make small spaces feel larger and cleaner.

• Accent walls - Add personality to living rooms or home offices without overwhelming the space.

Architectural Digest calls painting one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost DIY projects you can take on. 

Use high-quality materials and prep thoroughly, as bad paint jobs can devalue a home just as quickly

#4. Build or Upgrade Storage Spaces

Clutter is the enemy of value. Homebuyers and even renters love well-organized storage. 

You don’t need to knock out walls to make it happen. Think of how a clothing retail store is staged. Add some creative, functional spaces where none existed before.

Try These:

• Floating shelves in living rooms or offices

• Custom closet inserts using MDF boards or prefabricated kits

• Mudroom storage benches with hooks for coats and cubbies for shoes

Better Homes & Gardens notes that small organizational solutions make a big visual impact and help future buyers envision their life in the home.

Plus, if we’re honest, being organized feels good. Productivity hack, anyone?

#5. Upgrade Lightning Fixtures

Swapping outdated lighting is easier than you think, and it can instantly modernize any room.

Focus on high-traffic areas first: entryways, kitchens, and bathrooms. Choose fixtures that are stylish and not overly trendy. Think matte black finishes, clear glass shades, or warm brass.

Don’t forget about under-cabinet lighting in kitchens, or motion-sensor lighting in garages and hallways for added functionality.

Homes & Gardens also explains that updated lighting not only increases value but enhances perceived space and luxury. 

Thankfully, most light fixture swaps can be done with a screwdriver and a few YouTube tutorials.

Bonus Tip: Avoid DIY Disasters

As much as we love the idea of doing it all ourselves, some projects are best left to the pros. 

Plumbing, major electrical rewiring, and structural changes can backfire fast. Homes & Gardens warns that poorly executed DIY work can devalue a home by thousands if it’s not code-compliant or professionally finished.

Always ask: Is this within my skill set? If the answer is no, consider expert help, or risk spending more in the long run.