We put a new window in at a dark area of our kitchen. The sun is in that area in the afternoon which means we went from cooking in a dark depressing kitchen every day when we came home from work to cooking in a sunlight spot with view to the garden where the kids play. 500$ investment that is better than any of the 5000$+ investments we have done to improve the house.

dragsterburn Report

POST

Cold Contagious

Cold Contagious

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Natural light is everything to me. I love milking every last drop of it.

1

1point

reply

Shade sail for the back deck. The shade itself only cost $40 but I had to get a custom metal pole to attach it to and a sh*tton of concrete to set it in, and some strong guys to set it all up. Ended up costing me over $500 but half of it was labor. If you did it yourself you could do a bigger setup with more posts and shades for under $1000.

ZipperJJ , flickr Report

POST

Dawn Welton

Dawn Welton

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

We shopped those, as well as shades, but didn't wanna spend the money. My hubby took a closer look, determined the material of sun-shades/sails appears to be similar to tarps we buy for $10. So, for the cost of said tarp, some scrap wood he had, and wood screws, we built this: redneck-ri...53e9e6.jpg

4

4points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

For the dry winter months, install an automatic whole home humidifier. Total game changer in terms of breathing and feel of the air. With an automatic control, there is no adjusting the humidity level to balance with outside temps, keeping excess condensation under control.

bigpaulie2 Report

POST

Iggy

Iggy

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

I live in Ireland. None of our months are dry.

8

8points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

We added a hepa air upgrade to our AC unit. It included a UV light. My allergies are no longer an issue. We actually got it before our premie daughter was born as a preemptive measure for her health. She’s been perfectly healthy and is almost 2 without any issues. No colds/ear infections/runny noses. Literally nothing. *she doesn’t go to daycare as my wife is a stay at home mom. We limited exposure due to covid as well. So this is almost all at home quality air without much outside factors.

Natprk Report

POST

WilvanderHeijden

WilvanderHeijden

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

2 years ago

• Report

Next they wonder how come that their child always catches a cold when it has been outside.

7

7points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

High end Dyson cordless vac

The_High_Life Report

POST

Aileen Grist

Aileen Grist

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

I swapped out my dyson for a shark - two batteries and charge off the machine itself - still gets blocked as easily as the dyson though

2

2points

reply

View more comments

Way cheaper than $500 but if you have front loading washer and dryer combo, go to Home Depot or some thing similar and buy the prefab particle board counter top with the moulded 4-6” back slash on it and lay that over them to give your self a new counter space/remove gaps where clothes can fall down between Units and the back part keeps things from falling behind them too

formerrrgymnast Report

POST

Thomas Sweda

Thomas Sweda

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

This one sounds very practical.

4

4points

reply

Film projector for about $450 in total. Sun room in the day, movie room at night.

Gorctam Report

POST

g90814

g90814

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

I'm guessing they mean a modern projector (LED etc). A film projector would only work for very vintage films, if you could even find them.

1

1point

reply

View more comments

A refrigerator with an ice dispenser. Soooooo many years of dealing with ice cube trays.

baskaat Report

POST

Caiman 94920

Caiman 94920

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

OMG, got a new LG fridge that not only has the conventional ice/water dispenser in the door but has another ice maker in the bottom freezer that makes custom ice balls that are amazing....I love it so much, put 3 in my water bottle and it stays cold most of the day

8

8points

reply

View more comments

3 new LED light fixtures in the garage paired with a Maestro motion switch so when the garage door comes up the whole garage lights up super bright, looks amazing, and is much easier to park. It's crazy how much more inviting better lighting can make an area.

400K_LBS_OF_FREEDOM Report

POST

Pungent Sauce

Pungent Sauce

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Those super bright ones with the adjustable wings that screw into standard sockets are amazing. Total game changer in both the garage and the basement!

2

2points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

A Hangbird.

I don't have a dryer and no clothes line outside to dry laundry, so I always had at least one clothes horse standing around / in my way.

With my Hangbird, I hang up the laundry, then pull the whole thing up to the ceiling and it's out of my way. No pegs required either, since I'm not moving the drying laundry around all the time, so it can't fall off.

Riska89 Report

POST

Paul Davis

Paul Davis

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Do they sell in the U.S.?

3

3points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Looked for this but didn’t see it: timer switches for bathroom vent fans. Hit the button, take a shower and it turns itself off in 20, 30 or 60 minutes. Easy DIY and now have them in all my bathrooms.

readwritethrow1233 , flickr Report

POST

Libstak

Libstak

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

This feels handy.

2

2points

reply

View more comments

Install crown moulding! It may sound dumb, but crown moulding is a simple addition that can make the interior of your house so much nicer. It just adds some detail to what would otherwise just be a rectangular ceiling.
All you need is a saw and a nail gun — both of which are easy to rent at your local hardware store. When you do it yourself, it's probably $100 (or less) for each room.

Craigslistbox Report

POST

Brivid

Brivid

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

You need a lot more than a saw and a nail gun. What you NEED is experience and know-how. Knowing how to measure, miter corners, and make splices is very important. Otherwise it is going to look like crap. Hire a professional.

9

9points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Water softener is probably one of my favorite things.

Dr_Manhattans Report

POST

Pungent Sauce

Pungent Sauce

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Installed a water softener, then uninstalled it less than a year later. Yes it gets rid of lime/calcium, but we just never felt ‘clean’ after showers or washing up. Personal preference.

3

3points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Window film to protect furniture from UV rays. Under $100

NPRjunkieDC Report

POST

Lynn Morello

Lynn Morello

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

We bought Vertical Blinds instead of venetian blinds. Best thing ever.

0

0points

reply

I just upgraded my undermount kitchen sink from a 60/40 split to a nice, big stainless single bowl and let me tell you, I never thought I could love a kitchen sink but here we are. I legit love my new sink and actually look forward to washing dishes, so much more room for activities!

Sink was about $450 + how ever much for new drain pipes, silicone, etc... But I saved a bit because I did the install myself! It was surprisingly easy to DIY.

Not_Joshy Report

POST

ALittleKnownGoddess

ALittleKnownGoddess

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Split sinks are the work of the devil.

8

8points

reply

View more comments

Robot vacuum cleaner, total life changer if you have pets.

BootScoottinBoogie , pexels Report

POST

Elita One

Elita One

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Unless your dog takes a s**t inside...

10

10points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

A very nice bidet. Heated seat, reservoir where it heats its own water, remote control with several settings you can adjust, etc.

I very much look forward to coming home and using it after work. Especially on cold days. Lol.

the-poopholeloophole Report

POST

A motorized garage door.

My house came with a manual door. I put off the upgrade for years because I wanted to save for the bigger projects first, but man it was a complete game changer and I wish I had done it before all the other stuff.

okiedokieKay Report

POST

Jill Tremblay

Jill Tremblay

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Yes, Yes and YES !!!! such a treat !!!

0

0points

reply

Smart lighting with color temperature shifting. Being able to adjust the brightness and color temp depending on the time of day and occasion is something I can't live without now. Automating the changes makes it even better.

Bonus mentions would be ecobee smart thermostat with the room sensors and Dyson V8 or V10, nice cordless stick vacuum for super fast and convenient sweeping.

TechnicianOrWhateva Report

POST

Blown cellulose insulation.

It was just over 1k as a diy project. My attic had almost no insulation at all. In the summer the AC would turn in the morning and stay on all day and the temperature inside would still climb. Now in the summer it runs at 50% duty cycle and the house stays cool.

TheDuckFarm Report

POST

I bought a four-pack of rechargeable lights, and they're amazing. I have one in the hallway between the bedrooms and bathroom, one in the laundry room, one under the sink, and several under our kitchen cabinets. It's the best $30 I've spent in years — and it's been eight months since I've had to recharge any of them!

readstewmuch Report

POST

New garage door. It’s insulation and r20. Ideal for Canadian winters. It cut down on cold spots in our house and allowed us to lower our winter temp by 1 degree Celcuis

henchman171 Report

POST

M O'Connell

M O'Connell

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

2 years ago

• Report

An R-20 garage door?! That's pretty remarkable.

0

0points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Whole house humidifier for my furnace. No more waking up with a clogged nose in the winter and the air just feels better.

Seven_bushes Report

POST

Madzdad the Bard

Madzdad the Bard

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Not to mention electrocuting yourself every time you touch something!

0

0points

reply

Find out where your local dump/recycling center is, rent a flatbed truck and the just get rid of everything you haven’t used in over a year. If you are honest with yourself, about 30% of everything we own is meaningless cr*p. 20% is inherited/gifted cr*p that we don’t want but feel guilty about throwing out. Another 20% is good intentions cr*p that we will never use, wear,etc.

Get rid of as much as you are able without getting a divorce. You will feel 100lbs lighter and your house will look way better.

I hate to say this, but people use the idea of gifting/selling as an excuse to do nothing. Recycle it or dump it.

Max1234567890123 Report

POST

ALittleKnownGoddess

ALittleKnownGoddess

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Or give it to a local charity to help those families who may be setting up a home for the first time, and can't afford stuff.

9

9points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Small house here: had the darkly stained floors sanded and stained.

Four rooms cost 800$ total and completely modernized the living spaces. They even replaced a few boards.

zs15 Report

POST

My adjustable closet shelving systems are the best. I've installed them in most of the bedrooms now. It's amazing when your storage needs change, as you can switch up your space fairly easily. Your home will feel way less cluttered when everything has proper storage space!

Wolfwalker9 Report

POST

Desiree McKinnon

Desiree McKinnon

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

I used the wire style of this to turn a (useless) broom closet in my kitchen into a fabulous pantry.

1

1point

reply

Single basin stainless steel kitchen sink. I will never do a split basin sink again. The ability to wash a full baking sheet in the bottom of the sink with room to spare is a game changer

fslashd Report

POST

Display Name

Display Name

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

I wish there would be separate sink for just washing fruits n veggies, any washing without soap...that connects to a garden or tank that collects this water to be re-used.

5

5points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Spray insulated my rim joists for about $800. Don't know how much weve saved in heating yet, but my basement is at least 10 degrees warmer on average.

upnflames Report

POST

Litter-Robot. As a cat owner, it is absolutely worth the money. I’m happier, my cats are happier. Odor, mess, and overall costs and efforts are down dramatically.

iflvegetables Report

POST

Kate Jones

Kate Jones

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

i loved this for so long. It was so great and they have great customer service. The only issue is it's about 400 dollars and there's no gaurantee that the cat's will use it. It's also a tight squeeze for some cats. I wish the inside was larger or it didn't have to rotate the entire 'egg'. I wish it would just sweep the liter into the container below. That way it could be open on top. My little tubby got claustrophobic and started pooping on the floor. I ended up going back to a regular box because it just wasn't working having 2 different boxes. The best part with this is the cost savings. yeah it's a lot upfront but I saved so much on litter. Now that i'm using a regular box again..omg it's so much more expensive buying litter every few weeks.

1

1point

reply

Whole house fan. Imagine waking in the morning in summer to a house that is 62 degrees, and the AC not turning on until 4:30pm, and it cost 40 cents of power to do. It was a more advanced DIY project.

Beowulf1896 Report

POST

Sandra DeRosia

Sandra DeRosia

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

We call ours the attic fan. It is amazing having a multi-story house because even the top story can get hot when it is cool outside. But turn on the attic fan and it will be cooled down in just a few minutes.

1

1point

reply

View more comments

Replaced the shower head (more $200-300 range). Got one with a wand that has multiple settings, including one that's very gentle for washing children. It's helped a lot with cleaning the tub, as well as cleaning the baby after a blowout.

SlothPear Report

POST

mom24boys

mom24boys

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

These are a must for helping the elderly or disabled to bathe. Being clean isn't just a health issue, it is a mental wellness issue, too. Some of my clients can do their whole shower themselves with a wand - I just get them in with the water warmed up, hand them what they need, then reverse the process.

1

1point

reply

Sump pump in the basement. Instead of emptying the dehumidifier twice a day in the summer, it drains into the sump.

cokecancarlo Report

POST

Kimi Tomminello

Kimi Tomminello

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Mosquito rings work well to prevent water breeding bugs from overwhelming your house if your ball is raised a bit and you have standing water at all.

1

1point

reply

Getting rid of carpet and installing luxury vinyl planks. So much nicer with pets and now we have Roomba picking up all the dander

discoturtle1129 Report

POST

How about closer to $35$20? Motion-sensor light switch for the garage. Heading out with an armful of stuff? Abracadabra... LIGHTS!

SQLDave Report

POST

Upgrade price difference between conventional electric range and induction. We'll never go back... it's awesome!

NagromTrebloc Report

POST

M O'Connell

M O'Connell

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

2 years ago

• Report

Keep in mind that you may need to upgrade your pots & pans if you do this.

1

1point

reply

Legit network setup. Went all in with a rack, Unifi UDM pro, several Unifi APs, and a small NAS. I pulled CAT6 all over including to my now office in my detached garage/shop. Having solid and fast wifi everywhere in my home plus network drops for the TV and office is awesome. Paired with fiber internet, the transition to WFH has been seamless.

flying_trashcan Report

POST

Bidets on all the toilets (just basic add-on style, nothing fancy). Started with one toilet and then had to add to the others.

Also- paying a designer that I trust to come in and do a color consultation. I had all my wall colors picked out in one quick afternoon visit …. and it looks cohesive, stylish but not trendy, and to my taste.

FloatInABoat4 Report

POST

Paul Davis

Paul Davis

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago (edited)

• Report

I wonder how you figure out who's a good designer versus some loon who thinks they're a designer. The Catch-22 is if you have enough of a good eye to tell the difference yourself, you probably have enough taste to figure out your colors for yourself too.

4

4points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Sliding shelves for all the lower kitchen cabinets. I eventually want to swap all the lowers out for drawers, but sliding shelves was a low-cost upgrade in the meantime that adds SO much more functionality.

trivialcabernet Report

POST

Commercial grade metal hose reel that attaches to the house. Its up high and is a dream to operate compared to that dumb reel-in-a-box thing we used to have sitting on the ground. Probably spent $150 on it at Northern Tool.

mbprovo Report

POST

Desiree McKinnon

Desiree McKinnon

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

Not to mention less likely to house a wasp nest

4

4points

reply

View More Replies...

View more comments

Ion exchange water softener for the whole house (right after the shutoff valve).

We used to have to descale everything at least once a week. We have a shower with a large glass divider and after a couple of days of showering, it started looking like frosted glass. We had to use large amounts of soap and shampoo to get them to foam up.

All of that solved, for the equivalent of about $800.

NdrU42 Report

POST

M O'Connell

M O'Connell

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

2 years ago

• Report

In the interest of frugality, I installed my water softener AFTER the tee for the outdoor spigot. No need to water the flowers with extra-expensive water.

1

1point

reply

When I remodeled my bathroom I installed a space heater above the toilet and put it on a 1-30min timer switch. Now when I get out of the shower the room is toasty. Also nice for pooping in winter!

eggsmack Report

POST

Kate Jones

Kate Jones

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

ooo this is a good idea. i'm always so freezing right when i get out of the shower.

2

2points

reply

Smart thermostat and lock

I’ll add I use to be away from home a lot and a smart water heater was another great add. I could turn it off when away and then twenty minutes out I could turn it back on after being away for weeks. Saved the heater devices from burning out especially the bottom one

N8ball2013 Report

POST

Chancey

Chancey

Community Member • points

posts

comments

upvotes

FollowUnfollow

2 years ago

• Report

I never thought about turning off the hot water heater while we are away. What a great idea.

2

2points

reply

20 LED canister retrofits cost $100 at Costco on sale. Now every light looks uniform rather than having some bulbs at different levels and wattage. I now get 60 watts of light for 9 watts electricity on each light.

Also, slow close toilet lids are the cat's meow. Never have to worry about slamming the lid ever again.

Swapped out 2 toilets from 1988 that took 3 gallons per flush with new Kohler Cavata dual flush at 1.1 GPF and 1.5 GPF. These toilets are oblong and 2" higher off the floor--much more comfortable when sitting down and getting up, particularly in the middle of the night. I spent about $600 for the two. I stuck the old tank and stoop in the garbage and cracked them with a sledge with little effort and they fit nicely into the can; rather heavy so I did this over two weeks.

Also, love the Nest thermostat. Really nice features--$180 at Costco during their Christmas sale.

Potatoe999900 Report