Little Home Upgrades That Take Less Than 5 Minutes

Home improvement projects don’t have to drag on for weeks—or even wait for the weekend! Here are five easy upgrades that you can accomplish in just a little more time than a typical commercial break. Ready, set, go!

1. DECORATE A SWITCH PLATE

Photo: washitapecrafts.com

Often overlooked, updated switch plates can change a room’s mood. The covers attach with just a screw or two, so replacing them only takes a minute. If you’re feeling crafty, why not use washi tape to one or a couple of switch plates a bit of extra pizazz?

Related: 5 Things to Do with… Washi Tape

2. STICK ON A CHALKBOARD

Photo: wallies.com

Update your kitchen cabinets’ looks and function with a bit of trendy chalkboard contact paper. Cut to size and apply the paper to the inside of a cabinet door or even to the outside, where it becomes an eye-catching place to leave notes and shopping lists. As a bonus, you can cut leftover paper into small squares, using them as labels for kitchen canisters.

Related: 10 Reasons to Go Crazy for Chalkboard Paint

3. ADD A WALL DECAL

Photo: pressloft.com

In mere minutes, you can use wall decals to turn a blank wall into a focal point. With options ranging from small flourishes to floor-to-ceiling landscapes, you have plenty of decals to choose. Picking is the hard part—once you’ve picked your decal, just peel off the backing and affix it wherever you want. Don’t worry: Decals come off just as easily as they go on!

Related: 10 Ways to Unleash the Potential of Your Blank Walls

4. REARRANGE A BOOKCASE

Photo: theyellowcapecod.com

Bookcases deliver valuable storage, but they can also add a decorative quality, so long as the shelves are jumbled. Streamline things by arranging your books according to size, with larger volumes toward the sides. Rather than run your books all the way across the shelves, be sure to stack some into piles (which can double as bookends). Fill in with collectibles that share a unifying color scheme, all at eye level.

Related: Do’s and Don’ts of Arranging a Shelf

5. CHANGE THE SHOWER CURTAIN

Photo: shutterstock.com

It may not sound like much, but as the most noticeable accessory in the bathroom, the shower curtain often sets the tone. Energize the space with a pop of color, or achieve a more subdued feel with stripes or a classic pattern. When you bring in the new textile, don’t forget the finishing touch: A new set of rings beats the plain-Jane plastic ones any day.

Related: 15 Ways to Make Your Bathroom Feel Like a Spa

—Michael Franco