Home improvement has been super popular lately. I’m sure that has nothing to do with the fact that we were all stuck in the house, staring at walls, waiting to be let out for almost a year. It couldn’t be that. No matter the reason, it’s on the rise, and most of my friends have one project or another going — even on places they just rent! Something is satisfying about working hard on something and pushing through to the end of the project, and even more satisfying when you know the improvement adds to your home or, even better, the value of your home. Improving your home isn’t easy, that’s for sure. Lots of kneeling and elbow grease and moving and lifting. There’s not much about it that’s very glamorous or very simple. But with these great hacks, you can maybe make the process a little easier, a little quicker.
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Protect Your Knees
Some vital home improvement projects require a lot of up and down, but mostly a lot of time grinding your tender little knees into uncomfortable concrete or tile or what-have-you. These knee pads are heavy-duty and will protect your knees from the wear and tear of your latest project.
Cute Safety Goggles
I’ve never seen safety glasses that were so cute! I have half a mind to wear these like those fake glasses people have. They’re protective, so they’ll keep your eyes safe and sound, but the cuteness factor will keep your eyes lookin’ good. Do you know what I mean?
Add Uplighting
A quick and easy home improvement adds a little light where not much light is already. These sticky lights attach directly and can go under cabinets, in pantries, or even inside cabinets if you feel fancy and want to add some extra flash to your already improved home.
Hands-Free Light
When you’re doing anything that requires some detail work, it’s usually essential to free both hands. But then you don’t have a hand to hold the flashlight close to the job you’re trying to do. That’s the beauty of the headlamp; hands-free light right where you need it.
Shed a Little Light
Light ropes are my favorite way to add a little light because they can fit just about anywhere, and they add a nice, dim light to wherever you decide to put them. They brighten it and add an undeniable coolness factor to your space.
Fix Chipped or Scratched Surfaces
Ever noticed scratched paint on your walls and wished you could fix it without having to get an actual brush and pan situation involved? This pen can be loaded with any color you need, but not too much, so you don’t even have to buy a whole can, and then you can easily brush the paint right on.
Stop Hardwood Scratches
I never understood why my grandma got so mad about us dragging her chairs across her hardwoods. And then I had the pleasure of living in a home with hardwoods, and I suddenly got it. These pads are a great and easy way to keep those chairs from scratching for those out there who get it too.
Protect Your Money Maker
Like safety glasses, a face shield can protect you from flying splinters or other debris. This face shield is heavy-duty and prepared to take a hit and keep on kicking so you can improve your home with peace of mind.
Keep It Together
I had no idea there was such a thing as “plastic welding” until I found this. But lo and behold, there is! And it’s pretty freaking awesome. And unbelievably useful! You can use this to fix torn cables, plastic jewelry, and more. It’s an excellent all-purpose tool to have on hand.
Level Up Your Home
Bidets are a great way to add some value to your house. Adding them takes your bathroom from average to spa-level with very little work or effort. It’s an easy home improvement, but it’s one I recommend everyone takes on; a fun little afternoon project.
Keep Rug Corners Flat
Kicking up the edge of your rug is so annoying, but it happens to everyone in a rug-laden home at least once a day — unless they have these incredible corners. These attach right to your rug and keep them from curling up, so you don’t have to worry about tripping them again.
Get Hard-to-Reach Places
And no, I’m not talking about on your back. However, back scratchers are also great. It’s not easy to move all your furniture when you’re getting ready to paint, especially if it’s notably bulky, but you don’t have to with this tool! You can paint around whatever you’ve got against the wall without breaking into a sweat.
Hold It All
Maybe home improvement is your favorite. Perhaps you grew up watching the Tim Allen sitcom and fell in love. If so, you have to have your utility belt! And I think everyone should have a pink utility belt. It’s fun. It’s bright. It is incredibly useful. What’s not to love?
Never Struggle Cutting in Corners Again
Cutting in corners is my least favorite thing in the world of painting. It’s tedious, and you have to be precise, or you can hit the trim. But if you do find you’ve hit the trim, this brush is a real-life saver. You can cleanly cover your mistakes without worrying about hitting the wall.
Keep Frames Still
Corners are hard to craft with power tools. You’ve got one hand holding the pieces together and the other drilling, but that doesn’t work. Everything goes wonky, and you’ve got a mess on your hands. These corner clamps fix that problem and let you create corners with ease.
Keep Drains Clean
Hair gets down everyone’s drain, it’s just a fact of life, but it doesn’t have to stay there. It really shouldn’t stay there. These barbed snakes travel down your drain and back out, grabbing hair, so the drain comes up clean and free of clumpy blockages.
Control Your Screws
Any project that involves screws also involves those screws rolling around absolutely everywhere and generally wreaking havoc. This bowl is magnetic, so you can put your screws and nails here and know they’ll stay exactly where you want them—no rolling or wreaking any havoc here.
Hang Up Tools
A good home improvement starts with good tools. And good tools should always be well-organized and taken care of. This hanger can be hung directly on the wall, or you can install it on your corkboard tool wall if you’re lucky enough to have one.
Keep On The Straight and Narrow
Did anyone else grow up mesmerized by the little bubble on the level? No? Just me? Levels are beneficial when you’re improving the home, and you’re not meant to mess with the bow too much (how was I to know?!). This level even comes with a laser level for the harder-to-see spots.
Allen Wrench
This is an absolute necessity for any improver’s pockets. It will always come in handy and often in surprising ways. This particular gadget has just about any size Allen wrench you could need, and it all fits conveniently in your pocket, so you don’t have to worry about keeping up with loose ones.
All The Brushes You Need
I prefer not to complete home improvement projects that require any sort of paintbrush, mostly because I hate to deal with the furniture moving and the plastic drape laying. None of that is fun. But maybe you’ve got a project that needs paint, and if you do, you should grab this brush set, so you’re prepared.
Protect Yourself From Harmful Chemicals
Chemicals are a hazard to several home improvement projects. And so is dust. And the best way to keep them out of your nose and mouth is with this heavy-duty mask. It filters out those harsh chemicals, so you don’t have to worry about them reaching your precious lungs.
Change Light Bulbs With Ease
Light bulbs can be tricky to change. They’re so delicate and easy to break with too much pressure or simply from dropping them on the ground. This fun gadget makes sure you don’t have to deal with broken bulbs ever again, so you can easily switch them out.
Laser Level
Laser levels are pretty cool. They project a laser onto the wall so you can use both hands to level something out on the wall all by yourself. It’s perfect for those out there who live on your own (read: only one free pair of hands) and want to improve your space.
Safety Check for Mold
No one wants mold in their home. That seems like a super easy statement, but follow me here. No one wants mold in their home, but not many people know that there is mold. You can use this kit to test for it so you can call in the professionals if that time comes.
Organize Improvement Tools
Being organized makes your life easier. And this DeWalt toolbox is the best way to keep all of your home improvement tools organized. It’s got so many different spaces for anything you might need, so everything stays put and is easy to grab.
Build Flatpack Furniture
Clamps come in all shapes and sizes, and they’re suitable for all sorts of things and these are specifically designed to hold together your corners after gluing or nailing or screwing, depending on what you’re trying to do. They’re an excellent purchase for anyone in the improving game.
Avoid Electrical Shock
Electric work isn’t easy, and I don’t recommend it to the beginner home improver, but those out there like to take on the more extensive work, and any that do have to grab this—this tool checks voltage to avoid getting a nasty, or even fatal, shock.
C-Clamps Are a Must-Have
C-clamps are a carpenter’s best friend. I’m sure they’ve got other great uses, but they’re best used for applying pressure to two pieces you’re trying to get back together. It can also be used carefully to flatten out a wet book. I’ve done it on more than one occasion, and it works like a charm.
Economical Light Bulbs
Light bulbs are good to have in abundance. Anytime, but especially during home improvements. Accidents happen. And you’re more likely to notice a lousy bulb while you’re already looking around for problems to solve. This 16-pack is a perfect buy, so you’ll never run out again.
Keep Workspaces Bright
Workspaces can never have too many lights. And honestly, the more variety in lights, the better the chances you never find yourself needing one. This handheld LED light also stands alone so that it can go anywhere you need. And the bright LED will let you keep working late into the night.
Take A Digital Reading
Temperature readers should be lying around in everyone’s house. You can use them to check the seals on your windows, doors, and even your refrigerators. I didn’t think that would be very handy when I was younger, but the first time I had to pay an electricity bill, I started thinking a reader would be handy to have.
Tidy Cables
“Cable sleeve” sounds pretty funny, but it’s super cool. You feed your cables through the sleeve to protect them from fraying and snapping and keep them organized. No one likes loose cables, ugly tripping hazards, lying around all willy-nilly.
Keep Your Head Safe
Okay, no one should be attempting home improvements that require hard hats. At least not on their own. But, if you find yourself in a situation that might involve falling debris, it’s better to be safe than sorry, and this hard hat will undoubtedly keep your skull safe and sound.
Super Strong Extension Cord
I love these extension cords! I’ve got several in my own house. Fortunately, none of our animals chew cords (we’re fortunate), so our extension cords’ durability only matters because of how much we use them and how many different places. These cords are covered in a tear-resistant sheath, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them.
Handy Organizing Hooks
I love using these hooks for outdoor workspaces. They keep everything tidy and lined up so I can easily find whatever tools I need. And they’re easily adjustable, so they can hold just about anything I have that needs to get put up.
Keep Your Home Weather-Proofed with This Tape
Weather proofing is crucial if you live in any place that experiences extreme weather, but it’s also important for those that live in super hot or cold locations. This tape will keep your utilities bills low, no matter the weather, by shoring up holes and cracks in your weather proofing, or adding an extra layer.