Are you an empty nester looking to do something new with your home now that the kids are gone? Renovating your home after the kids move out is popular with many empty nesters who can now fix the damages that the kids made while growing up and create your dream home. There are many popular and affordable DIY projects that you can complete as an empty nester, and we have put our favorites together in this article for you.
Before You Get Started
There are a few things to keep in mind before you get started on your new DIY projects, there are a few things that you should keep in mind.
- Plan your budget in advance.
- Don’t downsize too much.
- Make sure it’ll still work for future grandkids to visit.
- Make any spare rooms multipurpose.
- Consider small splurges on luxury touches.
- Pick the best quality items within the budget.
- Start with the easier projects.
Create a Home Gym
Now that the kids have moved out, you can transform a room in your home into a home gym and cancel your existing gym membership. Yes, some gym equipment can be expensive, but you do not have to buy it all at once. You can start small and buy gym equipment as you need it. However, having a gym at home will allow you to stay healthy without the costs of the monthly gym membership.
Repainting a Room
One of the easiest and most affordable DIY projects that you can complete as an empty nester is repainting a room. Fresh paint can make a room feel crisper and cleaner, and you can give it an entirely different feel without breaking the bank. Now that your nest is empty, you can make everything the way that you want it. Have fun picking out new color schemes that meet your tastes and design ideas.
Transform the Master Bathroom into a Spa
Completely renovating your master bathroom can be expensive, but some things will allow you to give the master bathroom a spa feel, even on a budget. You can upgrade your lighting to give the room a warmer feel. Since spas often have stone walls or accents, you can install faux stone in the bathroom, and even in the shower itself at a much more affordable rate. It is much simpler than you might think to install faux stone to make the bathroom feel more luxurious.
Create a Library
If you are an avid reader, this is a great time to give yourself the library you have always dreamed of. You can build in the shelves or buy new bookcases to fill the room. Set up a comfortable reading nook to curl up in when you are spending quality time with your books. Depending on your tastes and budget, this can be as affordable as you need it to be. If you want to double this as a spare bedroom, you can consider a Murphy bed or even a pull-out sofa. You can even add a fake fireplace to your home library, using an electric heater that looks like a fireplace and surrounding it in faux stone or brick to give it a more authentic look.
Turn a Room into Your Hobby Space
Now that your nest is empty, there is space for your hobbies that you might not have had before. You can easily turn one bedroom into a hobby space. No matter what your hobbies are, you can get everything set up in a room to enjoy them and keep them out of sight. The hobby room can also double as a guest bedroom; if need be, you can put a Murphy bed in it so the bed is out of the way when you are crafting.
Update the Flooring
The floors can end up taking a lot of damage over the years, so it is a common empty nester DIY project to complete. It is time to get rid of the stained carpet and the scuffed-up floors. How affordable this DIY project ends up being will depend on the flooring you choose as your replacement. Hardwood floors are expensive, but you can get laminate flooring that looks like wood for a lower price point.
Final Thoughts
There are many fun and affordable DIY projects that you can complete as an empty nester; this is your time to have fun and get creative. When you undertake any DIY projects as an empty nester, make sure you plan things out in advance so you can plan out your time and budget accordingly. Some DIY projects can require a higher skill level to complete, so keep in mind what you may need some help with to complete.
