We closed on our home three years ago this week. When I look back at the builder-basic house we bought and see where it is today, I’m so proud of how much I’ve customized it to feel more like us and less, well … beige.
Still, I have a long list of things I want to do in this house. The biggest is the kitchen, which I haven’t touched beyond some fresh paint on the walls. To celebrate our three-year home-iversary, I wanted to share some simple ways you can upgrade and personalize your home.
7 Easy Ways to Upgrade Your Home
1. Board and Batten Trim.
I remember the living room when we bought the house, a huge brown space. Today it has so much more personality thanks to the board and batten treatment. It was a tedious job, but I’d do it again in a heartbeat. You could also add wainscoting or other architectural details to give a room definition.
2. Frame the bathroom mirrors.
This DIY has been on my to-do list since we moved in. I actually have trim cut and waiting in a corner for the kids’ bathroom. All I need to do is join the pieces, paint them and mount them up! It’s such a quick, easy update that takes a bathroom from basic to wow! Update: I finally did it! See the tutorial HERE.
3. Paint, paint and even more paint!
Obvious, I know. But seriously, it’s the cheapest way to customize a room, a piece of furniture or both! Find a color you love and go for it! Wondering how to paint cabinets? Check this out! Want the best painting tips and tricks? Check this out!
Image via BHG
4. Wood plank walls.
This could easily be grouped with board and batten, but I felt it deserved its own spot. I absolutely LOVE the planked wall look. Everyone and their brother has done it, except me, so I still plan to add it to my home somewhere. It will probably be out of style by then, but I don’t mind. You can always lay it in a herringbone pattern for a little extra flair.
5. Swap out the light fixtures.
We’ve swapped out one light fixture in our house, and it nearly cost us our marriage. (Not really, but it felt that way at the time.) I have big plans to replace all of them, but I’m a bit nervous about anything electrical. Someday I’ll pick out the fixtures I want and hire someone to install them all. Either way, it’s a great way to un-builder-basic your home!
6. Update your tile.
We have very builder-basic tile in our two bathrooms, the laundry room and around the fireplace. Swapping it for something more fun and full of personality goes a long way toward making a home feel custom.
Image via The Blissful Bee
7. Swap the window shades.
I mean trading builder-basic blinds for woven shades. Wood tones warm up any space and add lots of texture without cluttering the room. This is also on my list for the kitchen and living room, but it will have to wait until I finish the projects already underway. There are some affordable bamboo shade options, so this is a great budget-friendly way to bring something new into your home.
As we enter our fourth year in this home, I hope to finish some of these simple upgrades in the coming year. I’m not putting much pressure on myself, but I’m excited to tackle a few. We’ll see how home improvement and having a baby go together.
Which upgrade is your favorite for making a builder-basic home feel like your own?
