Small changes, big impact: DIY projects for every room

September 2024

Illustration of Coventry
Illustration of Coventry

Five ways your savings can have a lasting impact

Small changes, big impact: DIY projects for every room

September 2024

Your home isn’t just where you live – it’s where life happens. It’s where you unwind, create memories and, for many, it’s an important investment too. While major renovations can transform a space, you don’t always need a big budget to make a difference. Small, thoughtful improvements can enhance both the look and feel of your home, whether you live in it or rent it out.
 

For homeowners and landlords alike, these DIY projects are a great way to add value and comfort to any space.

Create a feature wall

A feature wall is a striking way to bring character into a room. Whether you choose a bold paint colour, eye-catching wallpaper, or a carefully arranged gallery of framed prints, it can become the focal point of any space. The wall behind the sofa or above the bed is a good place to start. For a personal touch, try using stencils to create a unique design.

Update light fixtures 

Lighting plays a huge role in setting the mood of a room, and swapping out old fixtures can be an impactful upgrade. Replacing dated ceiling lights with stylish pendants or modern wall lights can give a space a fresh, contemporary feel. For a cosy atmosphere, consider switching to warmer bulbs. This small change can have a big impact, for your own comfort or to make the property more inviting to tenants.

Add shelving

Extra storage is always a plus. Shelving in living rooms or kitchens is perfect for displaying books, plants, or décor, while in bathrooms, well-placed shelves keep essentials within easy reach. Whether your style is rustic with reclaimed wood or sleek and minimalist with metal, shelving adds both function and style to any space.
 #

Revamp your hallway

The hallway sets the tone for the rest of the property, and it’s worth making it more welcoming and functional. Installing hooks for coats and bags, adding a small bench, or even a shoe rack can make this space work better. A decorative mirror can open up the area, and a fresh coat of paint on the front door or walls brightens everything up. 

Refresh cabinet handles

Updating cabinet handles is a quick fix with a surprisingly big impact. In kitchens or bathrooms, swapping out old handles for something new gives your cupboards an instant lift without needing a full renovation. For a modern touch, brushed nickel works well, while antique brass adds warmth and character. This change can make a space feel fresher and more attractive, whether for your own enjoyment or to keep occupants happy.
 #

Add wall panelling

Wall panelling is trending for good reason – it adds depth and style to any room. Panelling can make a dramatic impact without a major overhaul, creating a cosy and elegant atmosphere in your living room, bedroom or hallway.

Regrout tiles

If your bathroom or kitchen tiles are looking a bit tired, regrouting them can make a huge difference. Fresh grout can revive old tiles, making them look clean and new again. This will brighten up your room, giving your space a fresh, polished appearance.

Create a garden feature

Got outdoor space? Make the most of it! A garden feature, like a raised flower bed, herb garden, or a DIY water feature, can transform a plain garden into an attractive, welcoming area, for your own enjoyment or that your tenants will love. Plus, a well-kept garden adds kerb appeal, which is always a bonus if you’re looking to sell or attract quality renters.


These DIY projects show that even small changes can make a big impact. With just a bit of time and effort, you can create a home that’s more comfortable, more attractive and, potentially, more valuable.

Related articles:

#

Top tips for an autumn-ready outdoor space
 

September is the perfect time to turn any outdoor space into a cosy retreat where you can relax and unwind.

Your home isn’t just where you live – it’s where life happens. It’s where you unwind, create memories and, for many, it’s an important investment too. While major renovations can transform a space, you don’t always need a big budget to make a difference. Small, thoughtful improvements can enhance both the look and feel of your home, whether you live in it or rent it out.
 

For homeowners and landlords alike, these DIY projects are a great way to add value and comfort to any space.

Create a feature wall

A feature wall is a striking way to bring character into a room. Whether you choose a bold paint colour, eye-catching wallpaper, or a carefully arranged gallery of framed prints, it can become the focal point of any space. The wall behind the sofa or above the bed is a good place to start. For a personal touch, try using stencils to create a unique design.

Update light fixtures

Lighting plays a huge role in setting the mood of a room, and swapping out old fixtures can be an impactful upgrade. Replacing dated ceiling lights with stylish pendants or modern wall lights can give a space a fresh, contemporary feel. For a cosy atmosphere, consider switching to warmer bulbs. This small change can have a big impact, for your own comfort or to make the property more inviting to tenants.

Add shelving

Extra storage is always a plus. Shelving in living rooms or kitchens is perfect for displaying books, plants, or décor, while in bathrooms, well-placed shelves keep essentials within easy reach. Whether your style is rustic with reclaimed wood or sleek and minimalist with metal, shelving adds both function and style to any space.
#

Revamp your hallway

The hallway sets the tone for the rest of the property, and it’s worth making it more welcoming and functional. Installing hooks for coats and bags, adding a small bench, or even a shoe rack can make this space work better. A decorative mirror can open up the area, and a fresh coat of paint on the front door or walls brightens everything up. 

Refresh cabinet handles

Updating cabinet handles is a quick fix with a surprisingly big impact. In kitchens or bathrooms, swapping out old handles for something new gives your cupboards an instant lift without needing a full renovation. For a modern touch, brushed nickel works well, while antique brass adds warmth and character. This change can make a space feel fresher and more attractive, whether for your own enjoyment or to keep occupants happy.

Add wall panelling

Wall panelling is trending for good reason – it adds depth and style to any room. Panelling can make a dramatic impact without a major overhaul, creating a cosy and elegant atmosphere in your living room, bedroom or hallway.
#

Regrout tiles

If your bathroom or kitchen tiles are looking a bit tired, regrouting them can make a huge difference. Fresh grout can revive old tiles, making them look clean and new again. This will brighten up your room, giving your space a fresh, polished appearance.

Create a garden feature

Got outdoor space? Make the most of it! A garden feature, like a raised flower bed, herb garden, or a DIY water feature, can transform a plain garden into an attractive, welcoming area, for your own enjoyment or that your tenants will love. Plus, a well-kept garden adds kerb appeal, which is always a bonus if you’re looking to sell or attract quality renters.


These DIY projects show that even small changes can make a big impact. With just a bit of time and effort, you can create a home that’s more comfortable, more attractive and, potentially, more valuable.

Related articles:

#

Planning ahead for a lower interest rate environment

 

What do you need to think about when interest rates start to drop?

Related articles:

 #

Top tips for an autumn-ready outdoor space
 

September is the perfect time to turn any outdoor space into a cosy retreat where you can relax and unwind.

Manage your cookies

We use three types of cookies to improve your experience. You can choose which optional cookies you’d like to allow below. We’ll save your preferences and apply them when you visit our site in the future. You can find out more in our Cookie Policy.

Essential cookies

Essential cookies are necessary for our website to work. They keep you secure, make sure pages load properly and enable basic features like navigation. These can’t be turned off.
Always active

Performance / analytics cookies

Performance cookies help us understand how you use our website, so we can make it better. They only collect anonymous data, like how long you spend on a page.

Advertising cookies

Advertising cookies help to show you ads that match your interests. They’re managed by trusted third parties so you should only see things that are relevant to you.