When it comes to renovations, there’s a tendency to think of ‘big’ jobs. Ones that require lots of time, money and often a builder or two. But these things cost money, so whilst you save like a pro, here are a few quick renovation fixes.

Before we start, the mum in me wants to warn you that whilst all these tasks are possible for you to do yourself, you shouldn’t undertake any of them without the correct tools, knowledge and safety equipment. If you’re in any doubt, please consult a qualified person or better yet, get an expert in to do it. Each of these jobs is nice and quick, so even if you do have to pay, it won’t be big bucks.

Five Quick Renovation Fixes

1. Strip. Fill. Paint.

What kind of list would this be if I didn’t start with the obvious one – a lick of paint! Whilst it’s tempting to just paint over any wallpaper or old paint, it’s worth giving your walls some TLC first. If you’ve got paper, consider stripping it off rather than painting over it. If you’ve got paint on the walls (or you’ve stripped paper), give them a quick wash down with Sugar Soap to remove dirt, grease and sticky residues. Some carefully applied filler will help hide any chips or cracks, just sand it back to smooth once it’s dried. Then the fun bit; a coat of paint. There really is nothing faster and more satisfying than a fresh lick.

2. Replace Skirting Boards

One of the first things I look at in a home is the skirting. You may not notice it consciously but it can make a huge difference to the feel of a room. Both of our homes have started with a thin skirting board; it’s usually chipped, coated in a thick layer of paint and generally unloved. Replacing skirting boards isn’t difficult, you can specify them easily and get rapid delivery from SkirtingsRUs. However, the job does require a level of proficiency with woodwork in order to cut them to size. It’s also a great way to hide unwanted cables or pipework, choose one with the cable space pre-cut in and make easy work of tidying up those eyesore cables.

3. Update Sockets And Light Switches

You may not think it but plastic sockets and switches often yellow with age. You’ll also notice than more modern switches tend to be rounder and more tactile than their older counterparts. A quick visit to your local DIY superstore will show you the wealth of switches and sockets available, as well as advice on how to change them safely. Due to the obvious safety concerns, make sure the person doing this job is competent!

4. Fit New Doors

All of our houses have been fitted with pretty horrific dark brown, single panel doors. They overpowered the hallway making it an even darker space than it naturally is. We’ve chosen to replace our doors with a four panel style painted white, but even if you can’t replace them, painting them a lighter colour will instantly brighten your space. That and refreshing the door handles with more modern styles, a simple job that can make a world of difference.

5. Freshen Your Grout

Let’s not forget the tiles; kitchen, toilet, bathroom… wherever you have tiles, the chances are the grout’s gone grey and dirty after years of abuse. Freshen your grout and restore it to sparkling white by using a grout restorer. You can create your own grout restorer using a baking soda and water mix if you fancy taking a more natural route.