8 Easy Builder-Grade Home Upgrades You Can Do Yourself

Create a custom look with these DIY projects that can be accomplished in just a few hours or days without having to hire a pro.

Give your builder-grade home an upgrade and create a more custom look through these easy DIY projects that create a more personal dwelling and give your home character. Gutting a kitchen, knocking down walls, and ripping out floors are all costly endeavors that, while useful for giving your home a unique-to-you look, oftentimes require a large financial investment, a larger time frame, and the help of a pro (if not a few). Instead, we share ways that you can upgrade your builder-grade home with simple DIY projects, many of which can be accomplished in a few hours to a few days.

1. Swap Out Hardware

Bedroom doors, cabinet knobs and pulls, hinges, and more are all fair game when it comes to simple yet effective swaps. Ditching builder-grade knobs for sleek, modern matte black, antiqued brass, or luxe polished nickel can take a ho-hum room into an elegant space. Just be sure to swap out all the door hardware (hinges and door stoppers included) in order to create a truly elevated look. 

2. Upgrade Faucets

Upgrading a faucet in your kitchen or bathroom can make your space more appealing while also proving more functional. Whether you choose to install a kitchen faucet with a separate sprayer or ditch your builder-grade shower nozzle for a rain showerhead or top-of-the-line option with aromatherapy benefits, finding a new faucet or fixture that better suits your needs is one upgrade you won’t want to think twice about. Because this upgrade requires dealing with plumbing, you might want to consult with a professional before embarking on the project if you don’t have previous experience. 

Related: How to Replace a Showerhead for a Spa-Worthy Bathroom

3. Change Interior Doors

Many builder-grade doors are cookie-cutter replicas and have the faux wood grain to prove it. To give your home a major upgrade, consider installing doors that reflect the style and aesthetic of your home, whether that’s Shaker, modern, or traditional. Because interior doors typically have a bit of wiggle room when it comes to fit (read: they don’t require weather stripping, custom framing, etc.), they’re a project that many home DIYers can effectively tackle on their own. Consult with the pros at your local hardware store before embarking on the project so you can ensure you’re set up with the proper supplies and knowledge to get the job done. 

4. Replace Light Fixtures

Lighting is one of the most magical ways to transform a home. Replace a fixture, customizing its brightness with dimmers, or even swapping out chandelier shades (or ditching them altogether) can create be transformative for your space. While there are certain light fixtures that are easier to install than others, light fixtures oftentimes require electrical knowledge, so it’s best to hire a professional if you’re not experienced with electrical wiring. 

5. Select New Bathroom Mirrors

Lackluster vanity mirrors can give away a builder-grade home from a mile away. Luckily, swapping them out might be one of the easiest projects on this list. Plus, it’s a brilliant way to let your style shine. For a powder room, consider an antique mirror that you scored at a vintage shop. Another fun option is to pick out a frame at your local frame shop and have them install a mirror within it for your very own custom vanity mirror.  

6. Wallpaper a Small Space

For tiny spaces like half baths, mudrooms, or laundry rooms, upgrade plain walls with wallpaper. If you’re not one for pattern, textural grass cloths can provide a neutral earthy alternative while still elevating your home. While wallpaper is certainly appealing to many, it can also be intimidating to some. Consider a removable wallpaper that doesn’t take quite the commitment or installation knowledge. 

Related: We Put 29 of the Best Removable Wallpapers to the Test, and These 9 Won't Damage Your Walls

7. Play with Paint

Builder-grade homes often come in certain limited palettes that might not work with your overall decorating goals. Allowing your personality to shine through both with your hue selections and paint finishes can upgrade your space in a flash. Just remember, it’s not all about the walls. Painting the ceiling, cabinets, or even the floor can add a dose of personality. When executed correctly, it can pull an entire home together or serve as a jumping-off point for future furnishings and accents.

8. Add Molding

From ready-to-install molding kits that come pre-cut and primed to peel-and-stick options that make quick work of a dining room chair rail, adding molding is easier to accomplish than it might look. Wall, ceiling, and door moldings are all effective ways to highlight your home’s architectural features or introduce character altogether. Shiplap and beadboard can also add interest, but they don’t need to be all-encompassing. Consider how you can utilize these projects in smaller doses both to lower the investment and ensure you’re not biting off too much where your DIY skills are concerned.

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