Your weekend fix-it list – home improvements you’ll actually finish

Got a home to-do list as long as your arm? These quick fixes make a big difference to how your home looks and feels.

Reclaim the functionality and aesthetic of your home with these quick and easy weekend fix-its you can start and finish in one day by yourself or with the help of a trusted, local tradie.

Ever been woken up by a quiet drip-drip-drip in the middle of the night? A dripping tap is up there with the most irritating sounds known to humankind, and yet fixing a leaky tap is a job many of us like to push down the to-do list. Save water, cash on your next water bill, and your sanity by taking care of it this weekend.

The culprit behind a leaking tap is typically a worn-through o-ring, washer, or seal. You can fix your tap yourself, but if you suspect you might unleash a flood on your home (and your neighbours), it’s best to call in a licensed plumber.

Homes are meant to be lived in, and that includes moving furniture, food and drink spills, and hanging the odd picture. Unfortunately, these everyday activities can leave your walls looking worse for wear. Breathe new life into your walls by:

• Removing visible marks with a damp microfibre cloth and a surface spray; use sugar soap for tougher stains.
• Patch up the paint. If you don’t have leftovers from your last paint job, head to your local hardware store and buy a sample tin in the correct colour.
• Fill in old picture hook holes with a filler. You may want to paint over the filler once it’s dried if the colour doesn’t match the surrounding walls.

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Now that your walls are free of scuffs, marks, and unwanted holes, spruce them up by hanging some floating shelves or a gallery wall. Floating shelves are ideal for displaying plants, pictures, or other treasures.

Combine them with a gallery wall of family photos, favourite art, or souvenirs from your latest holiday for an eclectic, cosy wall that’s on-trend and shows off your personality.

Hang the gallery wall of your dreams in five simple steps:

1. Trace the items you want to hang on brown paper
2. Use the paper “versions” to determine placement on the wall
3. Add your hangers—either command hooks, drilled holes and nails, or a gallery rail
4. Hang your images
5. Ta-da! Sit back and enjoy your brand-new gallery wall

Under cabinet lighting turns dark countertops into functional workspaces. GETTY

Good lighting can make all the difference to a room. Too cold and white, and your home will feel like a hospital or school hallway. Swing too far in the other direction, and you’ll find you struggle to see properly indoors. Find the lighting sweet spot, however, and your home will come alive.

Move through your home room by room and consider how you feel about the current lighting set-up. Next, consider these lighting options:

• Built-in night-lights in hallways and bathrooms
• Motion sensor lighting in the laundry and garage
• Red light bulbs in your bedside table lamp for less eye strain in the evenings
• Under-cabinet lighting in the kitchen
• Replace older lampshades

If you want to make changes to your wired lighting or install ceiling fans, you’ll need to hire a licensed electrician. Not only is DIY’ing this kind of work risky, but it’s illegal in Australia.

When was the last time you thought about your light switches and power points? They’re far from a focal point in a home, but light switches and power point covers tend to show their age.

To start, wipe all light switches with an antibacterial spray and a microfibre cloth, as these high-traffic areas love to hold on to germs. Next, replace the covers and plates. Choose covers that match your wall paint, contrast with it, or opt for something whimsical like fairy door covers for a child’s room.

Updating your house number for kerbside appeal is an easy weekend fix. GETTY

It’s easy to focus on the inside of your home and forget about the exterior. But your front door, garden, and gate all help set the scene for a welcoming home that guests are comfortable stepping into.

Consider these six upgrades and touch-ups for a home with serious kerb appeal (and bonus safety points):

• Update house numbers
• Install outdoor lighting. Motion sensor lighting is an excellent option for the front entrance or verandah
• Consider a video doorbell for added safety
• Replace a worn doormat
• Repaint your front gate
• Install a fly screen and/or a security door

Live in an apartment? Even without a front garden or gate, there are still ways to create a warm welcome.

Add a stylish doormat and door wreath to add a touch of your personality to your entryway, or check with your strata about upgrading common lighting or intercom systems. A smart doorbell can boost peace of mind for you and your guests.

If you have a balcony, keep it clean and clutter-free, and consider adding some greenery, lighting or seating to create an inviting extension of your home.

Bathroom seals get a workout. A good seal is integral to protecting wet areas, such as the bathroom, from water penetration, which can lead to long-term issues like mildew, mould, and rot in your walls.

Unfortunately, seals can crack and discolour as they age, so re-sealing around the bathtub and shower periodically is a good idea. You can replace old seals yourself with just a few tools. Use painter’s tape to mark where you want to apply the sealant, apply as per the instructions (silicone is a great choice for wet areas), and smooth it out. Silicone needs time to cure, so plan your bathing schedule accordingly!

Bathtubs and showers are obvious places to check for old seals, but don’t forget to check the seals:

• Around your kitchen and bathroom sinks
• Between your kitchen splashback and wall
• Around your toilet

If you’re after a professional-looking finish and aren’t experienced, hiring a local handyperson is your best bet.

Looking for a way to keep your home toasty and your energy bills low over winter? Checking your home for air leaks is the best place to start. Common culprits are dodgy seals, cracks, and gaps around windows and doors. Locate problem areas, grab yourself some sealant and plug up leaks for a cosier and more energy-efficient home.

To minimise draughts under doors, use door snakes or draught stoppers as a quick and easy fix.

Damaged flyscreens do little to, well, screen out flies. If you spend your summers with the doors and windows open, flyscreens are an invaluable way to save your sanity (and extremities). Save yourself the sweaty replacement job by getting it done in the cooler months. If you don’t fancy DIYing this job, find a trusted flyscreen repair service to do it for you.

Magnetic fly screens are great for windows that don’t need a permanent fly screen, or if you’re after an option that’s easy to remove and clean.