Back to School Home Improvement Project Ideas

It can be bittersweet as summer comes to an end and the kids head back to school. But it can also be the perfect time to take advantage of an empty house and start on one of those home improvement projects you’ve been putting off. Here are a few areas in the home that you can transform during the back to school season that will instantly add value to your investment.

Fix Up the Kitchen

Back to school means packed calendars, practices, games and other activities. The thought of coming home to cook a family meal can be unmotivating in a less than functional kitchen. Now is the perfect time to give your kitchen a facelift so it works for your families needs. Start by thinking about storage and organization. Do you need to add or replace cabinets? Maybe you need more counter space or a large island to serve meals on. Add areas where your kids can easily get to snacks or additional seating so they stick around for quality family time.

Replace the Flooring

Long summer days with kids at home means your flooring has probably had plenty of foot traffic. The carpets may be stained, worn down and the hardwood floors may be dented or scratched. Updating the flooring will be much easier with fewer people (kids) in the house. There are so many different types of flooring to look into. For example, stone, carpet, tile, cork, hardwood, laminate and vinyl. When making a decision about what kind of new flooring you want, think about the durability, how it will take wear and tear and how easy it is to clean and maintain.

Refresh the Bathroom

When you have a family, the bathroom is one of the most heavily used rooms in the house. Increase its functionality with new flooring, updated cabinets or vanities, new hardware, better storage and a new toilet to reduce water consumption. Keeping the bathroom clean and updated will make the hectic morning school routine a little more bearable.

Touch-up the Paint

Whether it is a simple touch-up or painting an entire room, the process will go much faster when the kids are at school. Painting is an inexpensive way to give any space a fresh new look.

Update the Lighting

A light fixture can burn bright for decades, but the style can fade. If your lighting fixtures are stuck in the ‘60’s, updating them can instantly transform the look of a room or your house. If you like your current fixture but still want an update, switch out the shades or change the color of the metal with a little spray paint. Save some money by swapping out your old incandescents for CFL or LED bulbs, they last longer and use less electricity.

After a long summer at home with the kids, it’s time to take back your space and make it your own. From room transformations to organizational projects, the possibilities are endless.