9 Do-it-in-a-Day Projects

Short on time, but need to complete some DIY projects around the house? Labor Day and other one-day holidays are perfect for catching up. Here are some around-the-house projects you can save money by completing yourself in a day’s time.

1. Paint the front door.
Does the site of your front door make you cringe every time you walk through it? Make the best first impression for your houseguests by sprucing up the look of your entrance. Dust cobwebs and outdoor debris from the entrance first. Then use a paint color on the door that complements your home’s exterior.

2. Bake.
Plan a day of cooking and baking that will last your family a month or more. Many moms take one day a week and tackle a bunch of baking projects and freeze the bounty for later use. You can do the same. Free up freezer space, plan your baking strategy and buy ingredients beforehand. Then strap on an apron and get to work. Here are some recipes to get you started.

3. Clean a room.
Tackle one room and clean it top-to-bottom (and in that order). Start with dusting the ceiling fans. Move furniture and vacuum. Dust baseboards, fluff pillows, wipe down refrigerators (don’t forget to vacuum the coils underneath). And while you’re at it, experiment with rearranging your furniture, or paint one wall an accent color to add drama and change.

4. Take care of business.
While most businesses will be closed on a holiday, you can make a list and gather papers and materials you need to make calls to care of unfinished business on another day, like: canceling a credit card, enrolling in switching car or home insurance, creating wills. Or, be proactive and schedule out the next few months on your calendar, using your company’s or school districts calendars. Make calls to relatives to plan ahead for the holidays. Or make a list of activities you’d like to do or goals you’d like to accomplish in the coming year and schedule them out.

5. Organize the garage.
It’s the bane of your existence and it’s never going to get better until you throw some stuff out. This is an all-day job and one that will last you at least a year. Throw out or donate what you don’t use. Use organizing tools like bike hangers to create space. If you’re really up to a challenge, paint the walls and floor using Epoxy paint (check eBay for discount pricing, but be sure to order in enough time for it to arrive for your project day.) Or if the garage isn’t your thing, tackle a big organization challenge in the house, like a closet or a kitchen pantry – how long have those cans of peas been in there anyway?

6. Landscape and repot plants.
Pull up weeds and lay a fresh layer of mulch on your existing landscaping. Place fresh potting soil and fertilizer in your potted plants (indoors and out) and repot in larger containers from the dollar store if needed. Add a fresh coat of paint to your mailbox for an added touch of curb appeal.

7. Other outdoor projects.
With fall approaching it’s a perfect time to prepare your home for colder weather. Clean the gutters and install extenders to the end of them to prevent water from pooling next to the foundation of your house. Trim back trees and remove dead branches. Finally, wash your windows inside and out, remember to remove then replace the screens.

8. Do something fun!
A day off doesn’t have to mean all work and no play. A great daylong project may be something a little more creative, like finishing a scrapbook, creating a digital photobook, starting a blog, making a craft. Or it may involve building a treehouse or sandbox, or creating a square-foot container garden.  

9. Go green.
Take a day to focus on making small steps toward becoming a more eco-friendly house. Set up recycling containers for daily use near the kitchen. Cancel unsolicited delivery of telephone books here and request your name be removed from direct marketing lists. Change your billing preference to receive online bills only. Replace lightbulbs with energy-efficient ones. Fix leaky toilets or faucets. Install an outdoor clothesline.

Collect all those fabric totebags in one and place in your car so you won’t forget to bring them on your next shopping trip. Buy and install a low-flow showerhead. Turn down the max temperature on your water heater. Check your sprinklers to ensure they’re watering your lawn when they’re on, and not the driveway or the road.