Quick home upgrades that deliver big results

Lily Cichanowicz Lily Cichanowicz
Towelwarmer serie "I Geometrici", MG12 MG12 Banheiros minimalistas
Loading admin actions …

We all have running to-do lists of small projects that we hope will help improve our homes. Some of them are functional, like fixing the loose leg of a dining room chair, while others are aesthetic like getting some portraits framed professionally. 

When most of us have busy schedules, it can be quite easy to put off these little chores no matter the benefits they might bring. In fact, you may even start questioning whether it’s worth spending your free time to spruce something up here and adjust something else there. Honestly, if you’re going to devote some of your hard earned leisure time to such tasks, they’d better be worthwhile! Here at homify, we certainly get how you feel on this. That’s why we’ve comprised a list of 9 simple home upgrades that truly do deliver big results.

Fixing surface scratches

The first upgrade on our list is to touch up nicks and scratches. You might find these things on both floors and furniture of a multitude of different materials, from wood to resin. While this may seem like an aesthetic fix on the surface, fixing these minor damages can ultimately help to keep your surfaces in working condition for longer because they can help prevent moisture infiltration. 

If the scratches are shallow, you can easily mask their appearance with a stain-filled touch-up marker. All you have to do is dab the scratch with the stain and remove any excess with a cloth. Don’t overdo it with the stain because scratches absorb lots of it into the crack, which may then become darker than the surrounding finish. Stain markers work especially well on natural or stained woodwork where scratches stand out. If the scratch is deeper, it might also be a good idea to look into proper sealants and fillers.

Giving your shower head a new lease on life

Ever noticed that the water pressure in your shower isn’t what it used to be? This may actually be true! If it appears that the water flow out of your shower head is gradually getting weaker, it might be the result of mineral build-up. One of the most common causes of this is if there are high amounts of calcium in your water supply. 

Thankfully, the solution to this problem doesn’t have to be replacing the shower head altogether. Try removing the shower head and soaking it in a mixture of equal parts vinegar and warm water. There are also lots of products on the market that are designed to remove the mineral build up if you feel you need something stronger. An old toothbrush and a toothpick are useful tools for picking away any extra mineral build up.

Make a big change to your kitchen by painting the cabinets

Most of us enjoy making a refreshing change to an interior. The kitchen can pose a bit of a challenge in this regard because most of its furnishings are stuck in one place, and kitchen renovations are expensive. One of the best ways to spruce up your kitchen without spending a fortune is to paint your kitchen fronts. 

If you’ve been wanting to paint your kitchen fronts, allow us to offer up some advice. Oil-based paint, also known as alkyd, is ideal for the job because it will provide a more durable finish to the cabinets. Disclaimer: alkyd paint is quite odorous! Plus, it typically takes a bit longer to dry. Be prepared to order takeout or arrange a nice dinner out at a favourite restaurant in the meantime. Don't worry – these minor setbacks are well worth the finished result.

You can also touch up chipped paint on your appliances

Kitchen appliances—especially those that we use often—are prone to a bit of wear and tear over the years. These mishaps can seem a bit hopeless to mend because of the materials these appliances are made of. Over time these marks can really take away from the quality of the kitchen. 

Fortunately, just like a minor nick in a piece of wooden furniture, there are actually products available that can help toughen up a small scratch or chip. Simply head to your local hardware store and pick up some porcelain or epoxy touch-up paint in a colour that matches the appliance. You can really make the damage disappear with a few coats of this stuff!

Sprucing up the space beneath your sink cabinet

Let’s face it. Though the space beneath a sink cabinet can be quite useful for storing trash bags and cleaning supplies, it tends to get pretty grimy. Between the moisture from the sink pipes to the usual build-up associated with a compartment that often harbours trash and dirty sponges or rags, your sink cabinet could probably use a bit of help. It can feel like none of your attempts to wipe down and organise this space have been successful. It may even be tempting to go on ignoring the area altogether. 

Before you throw in the towel completely, try this tip. Purchase a few squares of adhesive vinyl and lay them on the floor of the cabinet. Vinyl will help repel any moisture and it’s generally quite easy to clean. Plus, vinyl squares are very affordable!

Place kitchen plants on the window

With space becoming increasingly expensive, downsizing our homes and apartments is an increasingly common trend. Kitchens in particular tend be one of the places where we sacrifice in dimension. Therefore, we must use what we have to the fullest. 

If you are already dealing with limited counter space, it’s best not to clutter it with extra items – especially decorative ones like plants. Still, the presence of plants in the kitchen can help to make the room feel more harmonious, and they help to purify the air. You don’t have to sacrifice the plants in order to keep them out of the way! Arranging your plants on a windowsill will allow them to get more light whilst freeing up extra space. This might already feel quite obvious and intuitive to any of you who do have a suitable windowsill for setting the plants. If your windowsill doesn’t allow it, you can also buy a small shelf to adhere between the cabinets on either side of the sink.

Maximise your vertical space: place a shelf above the door

Another useful way to maximise the space in a small home or apartment is to ensure that you’re using your vertical space to the fullest. Doing so comes in many forms, but one option that tends to get overlooked is to install a shelf above the doorway. 

Of course, we don’t suggest putting things up there that you use on a regular basis. The shelf will naturally be quite out of the way, so it is good for decorative items, cookbooks, or linens. A floating shelf like this one by David Tragen is excellent because of its minimal properties. Alternatively, installing a cubby here might work better for your storage needs. Not to mention the fact that you can store things both inside the cubby and on top of it.

Incorporate a spice shelf

homify Cozinhas modernas

Spices are notoriously difficult to store. There’s usually a multitude of different ones that are used in varying degrees. They are small and not always the same size. Additionally, your spice collection is probably one that will grow indefinitely. 

Proper kitchen storage is a direct indicator of its overall functionality. That’s why it’s very important to make sure that all of your tools and ingredients have a proper place, including the spices. Simply installing a smaller shelf insert within an existing cabinet can be all it takes to improve the situation. You may also want to install a floating shelf above the counter to allow for easy access without the addition of a bulky cubby or shelving unity.

Add a shelf above your towel rack

Towelwarmer serie "I Geometrici", MG12 MG12 Banheiros minimalistas Têxteis

A final vertical space that we are willing to bet you aren’t using to its fullest potential is that above your towel rack. The towel rack is usually places at waist or chest height, and a small shelve centimetres above is likely not going to be too inaccessible height-wise. On this shelf you can store any number of cosmetic products, lotions, soaps, or medicines. 

There are also variations on the look worth considering like this unique shelving unit. Here, there’s not only a shelf above the towel hanger but there is a built-in shelving unit that goes over the front. A mirror could easily be adhered to the empty white space, making this an ideal setup for a small bathroom.

We hope you found these tips inspiring! For more tips for home improvement, check out these rules of thumb for decorating your home. Happy decorating! 

Precisa de ajuda para projetar a sua casa?
Entre em contato!

Destaques da nossa revista