9 Small Home Improvements with Big Impact

Jan 20, 2024

These home improvement projects, each costing less than $1,600, will enhance your home's appearance and boost its value.

Take a look.

Costs for these projects assume midrange materials for a typical-size home. Labor costs are based on estimates from DIYorNot.com and ClearEstimates.com.

If your current door frame is in good condition, you could save money by buying a door slab without a frame. But a prehung unit, with the door hinged to a frame, will be precisely fitted and weather-stripped. Look for Energy Star–qualified models to help you save on heating and cooling bills.

The federal tax credit for installing energy-efficient doors and windows ended last year, but check with your local utility to see if it offers incentives. Local building codes in high-wind areas (such as the coastal areas of Texas and Florida) may require doors to have high-impact glass.

If posts are in good condition, you could change their look more easily with column covers (fiberglass columns split in half and rejoined with adhesive) or wraps made of vinyl. A split version of an 8-inch column costs about $360. Vinyl wrap for a 4-by-4-inch post costs about $290.

Low-voltage path lights create steppingstones of light along your front walk that can accent landscaping features. You don't have to bury the wiring for these lights; you can hide it under mulch or gravel. A transformer that you plug in to an exterior electrical outlet reduces the voltage from your home to a level that's appropriate for exterior use. Look for path light fixtures made of aluminum, copper or bronze and lit by LEDs. They typically cost from $60 to $200 apiece. (Check out options at lampsplus.com or lightingdirect.com.) You may need only one for every 10 to 12 feet of sidewalk (this project assumes you’ll need five lights).

Solar path lights are an inexpensive alternative and don't need to be wired together, but they require batteries and won't work well unless they’re placed in direct sunlight to recharge during the day.

If you love the look of your stairway's wood, refinish it; if not, paint it with an enamel paint for floors and trim. To dress up the stairs, install a stair runner and rods to secure it (rods cost $21 to $82 apiece at houseofantiquehardware.com). If the stairs are plywood, recover them with new carpet.

Add or replace a mantel shelf (starting at $110 at Mantelcraft.com) or a complete mantel (starting at $308 for wood, $499 for stone or $1,219 for marble). Wood suitable for painting will cost less than hardwoods. Or you could hunt for a lower-price find at an architectural salvage store or Habitat for Humanity's ReStore. (For more ideas, visit bhg.com and search for "fireplace makeovers.")

Rust-Oleum makes two kits for DIYers. Cabinet Transformations eliminates the need for sanding and priming. Countertop Transformations gives new color and a stonelike appearance to laminate countertops.

To guide you through the many faucet options, see Kitchen Faucets 101 at moen.com. A model with a ceramic disk valve and a solid brass base will be the most durable (look for discounted prices at faucetdirect.com). For the finishing touch, choose new cabinet knobs and handles. You’ll find a gazillion choices with prices to suit every budget. Check out the offerings at myknobs.com.

If you want a new kitchen floor, vinyl is an economical choice that mimics ceramic tile, wood or stone. You can install it over the old flooring. Sheet vinyl is best installed by the pros, but you can easily install adhesive-backed tiles.

Replace an outdated toilet with a WaterSense-certified model that will save water without sacrificing perform­ance. Check out American Standard's Clean (model #2514, $239 in white at Lowe's) and Kohler's Cimarron (model K-3609, $232 at Home Depot, which is higher and has an elongated seat).

Enjoy a long, hot shower with a new, WaterSense-certified showerhead. American Standard's FloWise model ($34 to $59 at FaucetDirect.com) gets great user reviews for its spray options.

If you have the vanity painted or you’re doing the job yourself, you can afford to replace the vanity lighting, too (about $200).

You can install a 10-by-10-foot plywood floor inexpensively by cutting the wood and hauling it to the attic. Or make it easier with one of these two products: Attic Decking Board, made of oriented strand board, or interlocking Attic Dek Flooring Panels, made of lightweight plastic. Both screw to the attic floor joists. (Think about beefing up insulation between the floor joists before you install the floor.)

Organizers sit on the floor of the closet or hang from the back wall. Most organizers are designed for do-it-yourselfers, and manufacturers have online tools to let you design them for your space. They are sold as prepackaged kits or individual components. At easyclosets.com, for example, outfitting a walk-in closet with two 6-foot-long walls and one 8-foot-long wall with hanging rods, shelves and drawers would cost $1,249.

You can drive up the cost with your choice of color, hardware finish, hampers, drawers, baskets and other accessories. Retailers such as the Container Store, which sells the Elfa system, and Home Depot will take care of installation for an extra fee. Closet retailers that provide in-home consultations can offer helpful ideas and custom organizers for a higher price.

You’re not alone if you feel like time is running out for you to save, but taking advantage of workplace benefits, increasing the percentage of what you save and more can help.

By Kelly LaVigne, J.D.•Published 5 June 23

Taking advantage of the return of capital (ROC) and Tax Cuts and Jobs Act rate reductions can significantly reduce the taxes on REIT distributions.

By Michael Aloi, CFP®•Published 5 June 23

With remote work on the rise, more people are looking for a permanent getaway.

By Ellen Kennedy•Published 14 April 23

places to liveApartment dwellers pay less than the national average in these cities with the cheapest rent.

By Dan Burrows•Last updated 17 April 23

real estateFrom metro areas on both coasts to the middle of the Pacific Ocean, these are the most expensive cities to live in the U.S.

By Dan Burrows•Last updated 15 April 23

places to liveHave a look at the cheapest places to live in America for city dwellers. Is one of the cheapest places to live in the U.S. right for you?

By Dan Burrows•Last updated 3 April 23

Becoming a HomeownerHurricane damage? Know what's covered, what isn't, and how to make the most of your policy if you need to file a claim.

By Kimberly Lankford•Published 2 October 22

real estateThe most expensive housing markets in the U.S. have an average home price almost three times the national average.

By Dan Burrows•Last updated 21 April 23

retirementAn overabundance of boomers, critters, sweat and weirdness. Welcome to the dark side of the Sunshine State.

By Bob Niedt•Last updated 11 October 22

Tax BreaksOwning (or buying) a home is expensive. But at least there are some tax deductions, credits, and exclusions that can help you recoup some of those costs.

By Rocky Mengle•Last updated 6 March 23