8 One Day Remodeling Projects

wood crown molding on a ceiling and wall
  • 1-10 hours
  • Intermediate
  • 0-1,000

Home improvement seems to be a never-ending task. The maintenance and repair lists grow and grow, so sometimes it’s difficult to get around to those things that seem like larger projects. The beauty, though, is that many remodeling projects are quick and inexpensive. You can up the wow factor and bring joy into a space in a single day, so put it on the calendar and make a plan.

1. Add a Shiplap Accent Wall

A single shiplap wall makes a statement in any kind of room. Once you have your supplies collected, it’s a quick upgrade too. You can create different looks with wood that resembles multi-colored Barnwood, go with a shabby chic vibe, or make a clean and modern space with bright whiteboards.

shiplap accent wall

Start at the bottom or side of the wall and lay out a row, so you know where the seams will be. For a rustic, old-fashioned look, you can stagger the seams as you work your way up the wall.

2. Upgrade Contractor-Grade Bathroom Fixtures

You’ve probably gotten so used to looking at the mirror and fixtures your bathroom came with that you haven’t stopped to consider them much. But swapping out the sink and shower faucets, shower head, light fixtures, and mirror can substantially change the look of the space. Each of these tasks is quick and easy to do, and they don’t require moving any plumbing or wiring. If you don’t want to replace the mirror, grab some trim and create a picture frame around the front to give it a new look instead.

handsome bathtub and shower hardware with flowing faucet

3. Replace Kitchen Faucets and Fixtures

The same philosophy can give your kitchen a quick and effective update too. Replace the spotlights over the breakfast bar with pendant lighting. Swap out the sink faucet and add a spray nozzle and/or spout for filtered drinking water. You can also replace a dated range hood or build a modern cover to change the look instead.

4. Paint and Wallpaper

bright blue wall behind couch

You can complete most paint and wallpaper jobs in a single day. Just be realistic about how many items you need to move out of a room, including taking down curtain rods, removing outlet covers, and detaching art and other wall hangings. If you plan to move large mirrors and other decor, you’ll need to fill nail holes after taking them down.

5. Laminate Flooring

shiny dark laminate floor near window

If you’ve worked with tongue-in-groove laminate flooring, you know it’s easy to install, allowing you to transform a hall bathroom or a laundry room in a few hours. Of course, there’s prep work to do, like removing trim and existing flooring, but once you get going, a room that doesn’t require many complicated cuts comes together very quickly and offers a nearly-instant update to a space.

6. Replace Cabinet Hardware

We use them every day and likely don’t give them much thought, but if you stop and really look at your kitchen, bathroom, or laundry, you might see the potential for swapping out the cabinet hardware. When deciding on new hardware, make sure they require the same holes as the old hardware, or you’ll find yourself with a much larger task than you anticipated. In fact, deciding which cabinet and drawer pulls to buy might be the most difficult part of the job. From there, unscrew the old hardware and screw in the new hardware.

7. Add Crown Molding

white classical molding on a gray wall

If you have a space that fails to impress, adding crown molding might be just the quick update you’re looking for. Not only does crown molding complete the look of the room, but it covers the frustrating paint line where the wall color meets the ceiling color.

Buy your crown molding already stained or pre-painted (or at least pre-primed). Without having to wait for paint to dry, the process goes pretty fast. You will probably need two people for the task, so after you measure and cut each length of trim, you’ll have someone to hold the other end while nailing it in place.

8. Wainscotting

The material for wainscotting can be purchased as large sheets or as kits, complete with trim. Either way, all types of wainscotting require little effort and leave a huge impact. Consider it for the dining room or even that boring half bath in the hallway or guest room.