Take care of dad’s home improvement list for Father’s Day

Heads up! Father’s Day is a few short weeks away, which means it’s time to start thinking about dad. This year, try to do something a bit more meaningful than the generic tie or latest gadget. Home remodeling and home improvement gifts are great for all dads, not just the ones who like to spend their weekends at the Home Depot. Chances are there’s a part of your home that could use some updating, upgrading, or general TLC, so take the opportunity to take that off dad’s honey-do list and tackle it yourself, just in time for Father’s Day. Dad will appreciate the thoughtfulness and will be able to relax on his day knowing his to-do list is a bit shorter. And hey, if dad is into the DIY aspect of home ownership, it would be great fun to do a project with dad over Father’s Day weekend!

Bathroom

Tackling some of those minor bathroom improvements for dad can make every day a lot easier on him, especially if mom has these things on his to-do list. Plastic baseboards haunt plenty of bathrooms and they easily get dirty and break, but replacing them with tile or even wood can give a bathroom a subtle uplift. Get your hands dirty under the sink by finally fixing that leaky faucet to save dad on his water bill and maybe replace the sink faucet while you’re at it. A fresh coat of paint on the cabinets can give the impression of a bathroom remodel for little cost and about a day’s worth of work. If you’re really handy (or dad wants to help) you could replace his bathroom vanity with something more modern and spacious. A vanity with double sinks can be a huge lifesaver in the mornings, and vanities can be purchased and installed on your own.

Backyard

Whether dad likes gardening, grilling, or spending time on the patio with a book, sprucing up the back yard can make him feel more at home in the outdoors. Trim the smaller and more manageable trees yourself, weed the garden and add mulch, mow the lawn and sweep the patio. Consider adding some river rocks or pebbles to the more barren areas of the yard to hide empty patches of dirt and create a more unified look. Also, planting a tree in the backyard can be a wonderfully meaningful gift: his favorite fruit tree is a great choice, as is something that will one day provide leafy shade. If dad likes to grill, fill the propane tank or get a fresh supply of charcoal and clean the grill so it’s ready for use. Add some mesquite cedar planks to the grill for special flavor, and dad will be more than happy to grill up dinner on Father’s Day.

Entry

If the lady of the house has wanted a nicer front entry way, she’s got good reason for sticking that on the honey-do list. An attractive entry provides valuable curb appeal and welcomes guests into the home in a happier and safer manner, setting up those get-togethers to be the best they can. Clear the path to the front door so that guests don’t have to stumble their way up from the street. Put in a few decorative walkway lights (there are plenty of kits that you can install yourself in a matter of minutes) to give your home an even more appealing look. Make the front planters look nicer by weeding, laying down mulch and maybe putting in a few more plants to fill in empty spaces.

Once you work your way to the front steps, have a look around. Clear away cobwebs and spider webs, replace the welcome mat if necessary and clean away accumulated dirt and fingerprints. Test the doorbell to make sure it works, and if it doesn’t work chances are it’s just the button or batteries. Unscrew the doorbell and check the wires: if they ring when you put them together it’s the button, which is easy to replace. Then check out the front door, which might be in need of a fresh coat of paint. A bold red, bright yellow or soothing green might be just the thing to give the home a new look, and dad is sure to be surprised!

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