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9 Cheap & Easy Home Improvement Projects

9 Cheap & Easy Home Improvement Projects

Father and son drilling planks to build shelvesYou might have a small budget, but that doesn’t mean your home can’t have big style. With the right tool kit, an internet connection, and a little elbow grease, you can tackle all sorts of easy DIY home improvement projects in just a few days! Our cordless tools kit is the perfect combo to start building up your toolbox. Find it at your nearest Rent-A-Center, then try your hand at one of these projects to make your home more fun, functional, and stylish.


Cordless 8-Tool Combo Kit 

Rent-A-Center’s cordless tool combo kit includes almost everything you’ll need to complete these simple projects and others. Along with the following tools, the kit includes a 1.5aH battery, 4.0aH battery, amp charger, and two kit bags.

  • 1/2″ Drill/Driver
  • 1/4″ Impact Driver 
  • 6 1/2″ Circular Saw 
  • Reciprocating Tiger Saw 
  • Jig Saw 
  • Oscillating Multi-tool 
  • Cutoff Tool/Grinder 
  • LED Flashlight

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1. Install shelving in your closet and/or garage.

What you’ll need: cordless circular saw, cordless drill, screws, stud finder, level, pencil, hammer

Woman using a pencil and leveler to install shelving at home

Admit it. You’ve got a lot of stuff, and you need more places to store it. Luckily, shelves are fairly easy to install and put you one step closer to decluttering your home and reducing stress.

Before choosing what kind of shelving you want, take a look at what you’re going to put on it. Size and weight matter when determining the kind of shelving you need. For true value added, install shelves that can hold larger plastic bins. That way everything is as neat and tidy as you can make it.

And remember, you don’t need to be a master craftsman to build shelves. You just need the right tools (and you can get them at Rent-A-Center).

Does extra closet or garage storage sound like the ultimate home upgrade to you? Learn basic shelf installation techniques with this how-to guide from BobVila.com.

2. Upgrade a light fixture or ceiling fan.

What you’ll need: cordless drill, voltage tester, screwdriver, electrician’s tape, wire cutters/strippers, ladder

Couple in new home replacing a light fixture

Sometimes, a new light fixture is all a room needs to become the perfect living space. The best part is, this guide to installing a light fixture from BobVila.com makes it super easy! Get your rent-to-own power tool kit today and you’ll be able to brighten up any room faster than light!

Installing a new light fixture is a great home improvement project for beginners. However, dealing with electricity can be dangerous. Always make sure the power is turned off at the breaker and use a voltage tester on every wire before touching it.  

3. Fix a broken fence gate.

What you’ll need: cordless drill, screws, hinges, level, tape measure

A sagging or broken fence gate can be a hassle. But you shouldn’t have to dread the idea of using your gate, especially when it’s an easy fix. A cheap cordless power tool kit, some screws, and a sunny Saturday morning is all you need to fix that headache of a fence gate.

Most of the time, repairing a smaller fence gate can be a one-person job. But for larger gates, it’s always best to bring in a friend. Whether your fence is big or small, DoItYourself.com has an easy-peasy step-by-step guide to repairing gate hinges.

4. Build a wooden bench.

What you’ll need: cordless circular saw, cordless drill, screws, lumber, tape measure, sanding block

Using circular sander on wooden bench

The idea of building a wooden bench might be daunting. But if you’re looking for a crafty home improvement project for beginners, a wooden bench is the perfect thing for you. In less than half an hour, you could add a new piece of furniture to your home and brag to your friends that you made it from scratch. What’s more farmhouse chic than that?!

Your wooden bench can be as simple or complex as you want, which makes this a perfect project to have fun with while exercising your creative skills. Failed your woodworking class in high school? No biggie! TheRehabLife, a popular home improvement vlog, has a simple video on how to build a “fifteen minute” bench.

5. Build a raised garden.

What you’ll need: cordless circular saw, cordless impact driver, screws, lumber, tape measure

Building a raised garden bed in backyard with strawberries

Building a raised garden bed is as easy as 1-2-3. Seriously, it’s really only 3 steps. Cut your wood, screw the wood together, place in the yard, and fill with dirt. It doesn’t get any easier than that! Need more info? Here’s HGTV’s guide to putting garden beds together!

Just like the wooden bench, a raised garden bed can be as simple or elaborate as you want to make it. Perhaps you want to build a little fence around your garden bed. Maybe you want to put the garden bed on risers so you won’t have to kneel down while doing your gardening. Whatever you choose to do, just remember to have fun with it! 

Plus, a raised garden bed is one of those weekend home improvement projects you’ll enjoy season after season, fresh veggie after veggie. Stuffed zucchini and squash cup, anyone?

6. Frame a plain bathroom mirror.

What you’ll need: cordless circular saw, cordless cutoff tool, lumber, liquid nail, caulk, tape measure, paint, sanding block

Framing a bathroom mirror is a great DIY project for home improvement and can take your bathroom from drab to fab in just a few hours.

Like the garden bed and the bench, your mirror frame can be as simple or decorative as you want to make it. Try this simple design from Making Home Base. This method doesn’t require drilling or screws!

7. Re-caulk and regrout your shower for a refresh.

What you’ll need: razorblade, cordless grinder tool, shop vacuum, caulk and caulk gun, tile grout, grout float, sponge, gloves, bucket

Wearing gloves to re-caulk and re-grout shower bath tub

Does the color of the grout or caulk in your tub make you avoid touching or even looking at it while you shower? If so, it’s time for a refresh. This cheap and easy DIY project might take a few hours and a fair amount of elbow grease, but it will be well worth it when you’re no longer afraid to brush against the sides of your shower.

Here is an easy step-by-step guide for re-grouting and re-caulking a shower from The Coupon Project. To avoid a sore arm the next day, use the Porter Cable Cordless Grinder tool to really get that old grout out.

8. Build a basic kids fort.

What you’ll need: cordless circular saw, cordless impact driver, cordless jig saw, fence pickets, lumber, hinges, fence braces/brackets, screws

Father and son using hammer and nails to build a wooden kids fort

When you have kids, summer break can have you searching for creative ways to get a little peace and quiet inside your house. And what better way is there to incentivize outdoor play than by building an awesome backyard fort! Plus, if you’re looking for a project the whole family can do together, This Old House has a great guide on how to build a fort—with kids!

By using fence posts, you’ll get a sturdy, cool-lookin’ fort that you can put together in just a few hours. To ensure your fort is screwed together securely, use the Porter Cable Cordless Impact Driver.

Then when you’re finished, throw a backyard BBQ to show off your handiwork!

9. Install a new mailbox.

What you’ll need: cordless drill, shovel, post hole digger, bag of concrete, mailbox post, mailbox with mounting kit

Woman getting mail out of new silver mailbox with red flag up

Turn your curb appeal up to an 11 by simply swapping out your old mailbox for a new one in just a few hours. Digging up your current mailbox may take some extra physical effort up front, but once that’s done, setting up a stylish new mailbox can be a piece of cake!

Some mailbox kits come with their own post. For others, you’ll have to purchase the post separately. But even wooden posts can come pre-constructed, making this project quick and easy. DIY network has some handy tips on how to install a post and mailbox. Also, make sure you are following USPS guidelines.

Summer is the perfect time to learn something new and improve your space. Take the first step toward a more fun and functional home today. Head to your nearest Rent-A-Center for a Porter Cable Power Tool Kit and you’ll have all you need for these projects and more!

About Us

The good things in life don’t have to be out of reach. Rent-A-Center is here to make the things you want and need accessible, and Front & Center is your resource for living well on a budget.

Each week, we’ll bring you tips and tricks for infusing simplicity, style—even a little fun—into every aspect of your life and home. From decorating advice to money-saving strategies to opportunities to share with others like you, we’ll give you ideas that inspire. Live well, friends. And send your submissions, suggestions and questions for the blog to blog@rentacenter.com. For all customer service inquiries, please contact our Solution Center team at 1-800-422-8186.