Easy weekend remodeling projects

Getting ready to sell or have a home inspection approaching? Get inspired with these quick and rewarding ideas for renovations throughout your home.

From floor to ceiling

Sometimes, the best way to give your home a new look is to start with the small stuff. If you have hardwood floors, look for rooms that would benefit from a new rug. While large rugs can be pricey, DoItYourself.com recommended looking for deals at your local flooring outlet. Many will have leftover pieces of carpeting that can be repurposed into a basic area rug, saving you a big chunk of cash in the process. With the floors taken care of, look to your lights for further inspiration. The many benefits of new LED lighting are now well-known. Their soft, yet bright, light will not only bring a calming hue to the dark days of winter, but will slash energy bills with their reduced electricity requirements. Updating your lighting is a low-cost way to liven up your home's interior and make it more attractive to buyers if the time to sell is approaching.

Upcycling

You've heard of recycling, but upcycling takes the concept to a new level. For a great weekend renovation, take a trip to your local thrift store, flea market or even a local yard sale and see what you can find. Upcycling aims to increase the value of a used or found object. This can be done through refinishing, painting or otherwise improving its condition. This is not only a fun, practical craft project, but a serious money saver as well. As an example, consider a tin can. Ordinarily this is just a piece of trash. After cleaning it out and possibly painting it, as HGTV suggested, it can become an interesting piece of practical decor such as a potted plant or bird feeder. Any piece of wood furniture can easily be sanded down and repainted for an extremely thrifty desk, shelf or table. Besides saving loads on furniture costs, you will have a great time planning your design and seeing it come to life.

DoItYourself.com suggested another way to upcycle your wood furniture using some unconventional materials. If you have wood that's a bit older and looking worse for wear, you can use homemade furniture polish to brighten it up. Mix a half cup of olive oil and a half cup of vinegar, and layer several coats to restore the shine of wood furniture. For hardwood floors, use some lemon juice for an added sheen.

Find some art

One of the best ways to revitalize a living space with minimal effort is to find some great art. Check your local newspaper or online for art fairs or galleries near you and browse the work of local artists. There is truly no substitute for a great piece of artwork to complete a space in your home, so it's not bad to splurge a bit, especially knowing that you're supporting local talent. As DoItYourself.com suggested, make sure your artwork is documented and protected by your homeowner's insurance. Less than one out of five homeowners have such items documented and protected, according to a survey by Liberty Mutual. You'll be glad you took the time to report these items and their values. If you take the time to report these items and their values, you may be glad you did later on.

Cabinet craziness

Your kitchen cabinets are some of the most prominent features in your home, so giving them an overhaul will make a big difference in the look and feel of this space. All-new cabinets may be a big investment, but are indeed worth it. If your kitchen is looking a little dated, new cabinets are a great way to ease into a makeover. You can of course buy prefabricated cabinets and have them professionally installed. The less-expensive option is to build your own. You may be able to find pre-cut cabinet pieces that you install yourself, saving you quite a bit of money. If you don't want to rip up your whole kitchen, you can simply have your current pieces refurbished. Give your cabinets a new shine with a fresh coat of paint or wood finish, and they may look even better than new. Adding small flourishes, like new chrome handles, can make all the difference when it comes to renovation.