We are in uncertain times, dear friends!
Being encouraged to stay at home during the COVID-19 pandemic has its own set of challenges and extra responsibilities that we, as families, are all continuing to navigate. Working from home. Cooking at home. Schooling from home. Keeping sane...
Chances are, your days are pretty packed with all these new tasks, but perhaps there are a few untapped opportunities to uncover within your home.
We wanted to share some ideas that John and I have brainstormed to keep busy, here at Content, that we hope will spread some creativity and optimism within your home, too.
There may be no better time to look around and identify a few COVID-19 DIY upgrades. We’ve brainstormed these projects that are “coronavirus friendly” which means:
Basic DIY skill level / easy to tackle
Not necessary to hire / invite a professional into your home
Completed with basic tools
Accomplished with supplies and materials accessible via shipping/delivery
Nothing invasive (contruction debris, hazardous exposure) that will leave you displaced from an area of your home
Here are 10 Simple Projects To Keep Busy During Coronavirus
1. Replace Door Knobs
Replacing interior door knobs is a quick and easy way to add restored interest to any door in your home. There’s no lack of options when it comes to door fixtures.
Whether your interested in a change of finish or style, this simple DIY project requires a basic skill level and our favorite multi-tool screw driver.
You can check out our full round up of Favorite Door Knobs for Under $40 here, but here are a few of our top picks:
2. Organize Your Garage
Just in time for spring and summer, your garage is the perfect place to start organizing during coronavirus.
You don’t have to do a top to bottom clean out (unless you’re really going for it!), but rather start by identifying a couple areas that could use attention.
For instance, start with your beach or sporting equipment. Often, the simple act of lifting items off the ground will free up space, make the area look more visually appealing and enable you to clean more easily.
While helping a customer in their home, we used a combination of hanging storage systems, tool storage, surf board racks and sporting equipment racks like these.
Want more Garage Organization inspiration, check this out!
For a classic folding beach chairs, we used Jumbo Arm Utility Hooks with foam cushions to hang the chairs from the wall. These are SO easy to install onto an empty wall (using the included drywall anchors) or to incorporate into an existing organizational system.
These are best to install at chest height, so you can easily slip your lawn or beach chairs on-and-off. These are pretty heavy duty, and the weight load can handle an umbrella as well.
Looking to upgrade your beach equipment? You can check out all of our favorite beach accessories here!
3. Paint Your HVAC Vents
A quick coat of spray paint can instantly elevate factory ready HVAC vents which are typically available in white or beige.
Here, we’ve used Rustoluem Metallic Paint and Primer spray paint with a slight sheen to give these everyday HVAC vents a bit of interest and lux.
**Be sure to paint in a well ventilated area (outside is best) and let the vents fully dry for 24-28 hours before reinstalling them.
4. Upgrade Kitchen Cabinet Knobs and Handles
The simplest upgrade to any kitchen is new hardware on cabinet doors and draws.
Here in our South Street Kitchen Renovation, we used a combination of knobs and pull handles in a antique brass finish.
In the kitchen at Content, we used a combination of porcelain, button knobs with a center black screw and oil rubbed bronze drawer pulls.
You can find the source of all Content’s kitchen renovation here.
A Note About Purchasing Handles:
Before deciding on new drawer pull handles (with two screws), take a basic measurement.
Start by checking the screw “spread”, which is the space between the two bolts on the inside of the handle.
This measurement will dictate the easiest, upgraded handle you should purchase. Most will be standard sizes, but double check your existing setup so you can use the existing screw holes and simply swap the handle.
While you’re at it, double check the size of the screws that come with the new hardware. Are they long enough to pass through your door front? If not, add a longer screw to your order.
5. Paint Your Front Door
Adding a fresh coat of paint to your front door adds instant curb appeal and can elevate any exterior. Plus, if you’re working outside, you won’t be exposed to any lingering paint fumes while spending extra time at-home.
In a previous post we shared all our favorite tips to picking a new front door color and a few painting tips, including our secret weapon for painting french doors or doors with windows. Check out that post here.
If you’re not sure what paint color to choose, we’d suggest using a paint deck fan, like this one from Benjamin Moore, to focus your search.
However, if you do not have a local Benjamin Moore distributor, you can start your search at a local home improvement store:
Lowe’s carries Sherwin Williams or Vaslpar products
Home Depot carries Behr products.
6. Replace Light Switch Plates
If you’ve been cleaning like we have, your home’s most touched areas may be getting more attention than ever before. We noticed some of our light switch plates were showing wear and tear, while a few were simply discolored.
For simple white, we prefer these switch plate covers which can be purchased individually or in bulk.
For a monochromatic look, use a standard switch plate cover and paint it the same color as your wall color.
Swapping out light switch plates is an easy DIY that any homeowner can tackle. Simply do a inventory of the rooms switches. There are two main styles: Toggle (standard switch) and Decora. (flat, rectangle switch)
Additional Upgrade:
We installed these LED night-light toggle switch plates that illuminate the bottom of the switch plate when the light is off. These are great in the garage or in hallways, and are very easy to install!
7. Install A Mixed Media Gallery Wall
Don’t limit yourself to art! Hanging a gallery wall is a great way to incorporate different styles and media into your home decor. Hanging anything in a cluster is an easy way to add interest and dimension to an otherwise empty wall.
Here are a few household items you may already have in different shapes and sizes:
Baskets
Wreaths
Clocks
Mirrors
Frames art/photographs
Items of similar color
Once you’ve identified the items you want to cluster, find an arrangement that suits your style. We love this handy gallery wall template hack from MyDomaine.com.
For a tailored space, try for a more traditional layout, like “The Grid” or for an eclectic appeal, go for “The Incline”.
Here at Content, we’ve done a few mixed media gallery walls. One used a combination of the historical images and documents that were passed down to us from previous owners and family. The other, in the Camp Room was simply a cluster of grapevine wreaths.
8. Create A Coffee Bar
If COVID-19 has you working from home, you may be missing your afternoon coffee break. Elevate your home brew caffeine fix by dedicating an area of your home just for coffee.
If you don’t have a special coffee spot yet, identify a dining room buffet, bar cart or portion of your kitchen counter that could handle a few extra items.
Start by gathering items from your existing inventory. Put tea bags in mason jars or display K-cups in a wide opening jar. Display your favorite kettle or mugs on a petite, tabletop rack.
Click here for a round up of some coffee bar essentials.
9. Give Your Home Some “Spring” Decor
Just because you’re required to stay at home, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the view while you’re inside.
With spring trees just starting to bud here in the Northeast, our suggestions is to forage a few fresh sprigs from plants and shrubs to inject your space with spring decor. Any vessel or vase will do!
No need to cover every inch with Easter bunnies or baby chicks, but bringing the outside, in is a great way to feel connected to the natural world around us.
You can check out a similar round up of 10 Decorating Finds Under $30 To Refresh Your Home For Spring.
10. Replace An Existing Ceiling Fan
If you’re at a moderate DIY skill level, replacing an existing ceiling fan may be a great way to elevate your decor. This is definitely a two-person job, so make sure you have a buddy on board to help.
If you’re ready to tackle this project, check out this great YouTube video by Lowes with all the ceiling fan basics for sizing, purchasing and swapping out that ceiling fan with an upgraded and new style.
Click here for a round up of Interior/Exterior Modern Farmhouse ceiling fans.
Need more home improvement inspiration, check out more Easy Upgrades here.
Be well, friends! We hope these projects help pass the time until brighter days!
If you’re interested in some other DIY projects, check our related posts below.
