8 Ways to Get a Magazine-Worthy Home on a Budget

Have you ever had to call a contractor to handle—what you thought would be—an easy home project? The results were likely stunning, but the lengthy timeline probably had you secretly swearing off outside assistance for the foreseeable future.

The good news is you don’t have to wait for someone else to complete a beginner home improvement project; you can take care of it yourself (with the help of Merry Maids®, of course).

1. Spruce Up Your Flower Beds

Nothing screams magazine-worthy home like a designer outdoor space. You can brighten up your home’s appearance by adding pops of seasonal color to your flower beds. This is a simple way to add a touch of elegance without breaking the bank or starting a lengthy DIY project. You can knock out your replanting in less than a couple of hours and get the entire family involved to make the process go faster. After it’s all said and done, you’ll have a visually appealing home with more curb appeal.

2. Switch Out Your Lighting/Bulbs

Lighting can create an ambiance in your home that invites visitors to sit and stay awhile. Whether you’re a fan of traditional or floor lamps, chandeliers, or recessed lighting, you can always swap out your current fixtures or bulbs for an airier or warmer aesthetic.

3. Create A Personalized Doormat

One of the first things people will see while they’re standing at your front door is your doormat. Some people opt for a funny quote/saying or something with ornate shapes and patterns. However, these cheeky front door accessories can be expensive. Fortunately, you can cut most of the costs by purchasing a doormat and completing a cheap home improvement project in less than an hour. All you’ll need is a blank coir doormat, a stencil, acrylic craft paint, paint brushes, and your creativity.

4. Display Your Fabulous Dishware

Open shelving in kitchens has become a popular way to add more storage space and display antique and beautiful glass and dishware for all to see. It would be a shame for your great-grandmother’s vintage casserole dish or white porcelain dinnerware set to be hidden away inside a cabinet.

To make this project your own, follow these instructions:

1. Choose a cabinet or two that you want to expose and use to display glassware and/or dinnerware.
2. Remove the doors and hinges, and make sure to cover the screw holes with wood filler.
3. After a couple of hours, the wood filler should be dry, and you can sand down the filler so that it’s flush with the cabinet’s surface.
4. Add some touch-up paint (or completely repaint) to give the cabinet(s) a seamless look.

Once the paint dries after a day, this DIY home project is complete, and your shelves will be ready to spotlight your unique dishes.

5. Painting Unique Areas

Doing geometric shapes, painting a ceiling or floor, or your front door can give your space a one-of-a-kind look. You probably never thought that paint could go on your ceiling or floor, but we’re here to tell you that adding color to these unique areas will have guests talking—in the best way. Vibrant reds, deep blues and greens, or bright yellows can make a statement that your home is essentially a work of art and deserves a place in the glossy pages of your favorite interior design publication.

6. Hide Wiring

Have you looked at home magazines and spotted a single wire? No? That’s because exposed cabling is just not an attractive feature and definitely doesn’t scream “designer home.” Not only does hiding wires create a more streamlined look to your space, but it also keeps young children and pets safe. You can implement this easy DIY home project using very little time and money. Some of the most popular ways to hide wiring include:

• Hollowed-out book covers
• Cord covers
• Behind walls
• Behind large pieces of furniture
• Inside baskets
• Command™ hooks

7. Organize Garage/Workspaces

For the handy individuals in your life who love to tinker with and repair things at home, it’s time to organize that garage. After all, a designer home wouldn’t be complete without a functional yet chic garage. First, you’ll need to declutter and purge all unused tools, products, and equipment taking up space. Next, purchase hooks, shelving, and a pegboard to mount regularly used items for easy access. If you really want to add some visual interest, paint the pegboard a dark, moody color for contrast.

8. Hire a Cleaning Company

Are you a DIY novice or convinced you don’t have a handy bone in your body? Not to worry! Hiring a cleaning company to manage the disinfecting and organizing will help you achieve that ideal magazine-worthy home you’ve always wanted. The best part about this beginner home improvement project (and, yes, we’re going to call it that) is that you don’t have to lift a finger.

Don’t let cleaning or organizing your home become a second job. Let our team at Merry Maids® support your family so that they can get back to enjoying life in your stylish abode.

Call (888) 490-4227 or find your area’s location today to get back to what’s most important to you.