9 Easy House Projects You Can Do Over Labor Day Weekend

Summary

Here are some doable home projects you can do over labor day weekend!

If you’re one of the lucky ones who gets time off on Labor Day, then let’s celebrate it!

Labor Day was created to honor hard workers like yourself and, because of that, many people will be attending parties, outdoor events, and family gatherings.

However, if you’re a bit of a homebody like me, you just might enjoy a quiet house, time to tune out everything, and some extra hours to get a few pet projects done.

For me, starting a new project is the hardest part. And also the part where I get bored in the middle of it and get distracted with something else. And also the part where I make a bigger mess and just give up.

Can you relate?

Sometimes one easier task can inspire larger projects, so I’ve collected a few ideas on where to begin.

1. Declutter One Space

This can be any small nook or cranny that needs shaping up. The other day, I opened a drawer that contained everything from old aprons to random business magnets to a lunch bag I got from a bank.

Suddenly, inspiration struck and I started clearing stuff out. And even that little task made me tired and left me with items that now have a home on my counter. See? MESS.

This happens because I think of EVERY little thing and if someone else would want it and if I can manage to keep it out of the landfill. This goes on forever!

That’s why I mention taking it one tiny step at a time.

Here are some spaces you can start with:

• Junk drawer
• Coffee table piles (I’m the guiltiest of this!)
• Shoe cabinet
• Closet (Just one! Or even half of one.)
• Laundry shelf
• Bookshelf
• Toy box
• Confidential papers to shred (I’m VERY bad about letting this get out of freaking control.)

2. Collect Items for a Yard Sale

I once sold one thing in my friend’s yard sale in Memphis. Why I drove from Nashville to Memphis to bring one thing (maybe two!) still perplexes me.

What was this mysterious item, you ask? Just a little figurine of cats fishing in a canoe—that’s what!

You’re probably also wondering why I even had a figurine of cats fishing in a canoe. Well, then, of course I’ll tell you!

This was a time in my twenties when my only requirements for a guy were: not ugly and not weird. He didn’t meet the latter requirement, but that was okay! I liked this guy! He had bright green eyes and a cute smile! All you need, right?

This guy gifted me the cats for, I believe, Valentine’s Day. At the time, I thought, “Weird taste in gifts. But I can live with that.” (I couldn’t live with that.)

When the very shallow romance ultimately became doomed, I no longer had any patience for those cats in a canoe! (Disclaimer: Of course, I’d be very kind to actual cats in a canoe. Or dogs. Or sloths. Or any adorable animals! Just wanted to make sure that’s crystal clear!)

I sold the catty figurine for a few bucks and felt so proud of myself. I’ll show him! I’ll sell that tchotchke he gave me! That’ll really send a message!

Even then, I was trying to save the earth. Because normal mad girls would’ve just tossed it in the trash. But me? Repurpose!

All that nonsense to say, I’ve never hosted my own yard sale. That probably makes me the worst upcycler ever, but I’ll spare you from all my ridiculous excuses.

Mostly, I give stuff away like an anonymous donor at a silent auction, without the high ticket price and fancy pants minglers and hors’doeuvres.

BUT, not following my terrible example in any way, you might like a yard sale!

Grab a bin or basket and collect things that you’re not using. Because someone else might like them! Here are some ideas for your fabulous future yard sale:

• Extra dishes (These are my most favorite dishes, by the way.)
• Stuffed animals (I wash mine on the delicate cycle before I donate.)
• Purses (You know you have too many. So why not have ONE MORE! I love Pixie Mood!)
• Costume jewelry
• Books
• Kitchen appliances, like blenders, mixers, and toasters
• A lamp!
• Small pieces of furniture—or large!
• Clothes and shoes
• Plants and/or planters
• Vases
• Figurines, y’all!
• Decorations
• Luggage
• Artwork
• Picture frames
• Coats and other winterwear
• Extra throw blankets you don’t use (Wash beforehand, pretty please!) If you need new ones, here you go.
• Wreaths (‘Cause you can only have so many wreaths.)
• Yard tools
• Office supplies
• Games

3. Paint Your Front Door

This one requires a slightly higher skill level, which includes buying paint and actually opening up the can. If you have a problem being lazy like I do, then skip to the next idea.

However. If you’re feeling inspired, pick out some paint samples, choose your favorite, and go for it!

Hardware store associates can help you figure out what type of paint will work, how to apply it, and what other supplies you’ll need. If not, you can find all kinds of tutorials on YouTube.

Currently, I’d love to paint my front door one of these colors:

• Blush pink
• Coral pink
• Buttercup yellow (Someone in this house votes against this color, but do they really get a vote??? I guess…)

Also, if you’re stuck between two colors, why not choose both? Each side can be a different color! You now have the best of both worlds.

4. Create a Salon Wall

I LOVE a good salon wall.

Other names you might hear are “gallery wall” or “collage wall.” Pinterest has a ton of examples to spark your creativity.

These walls are so great because you can curate most anything you want. My advice, though, is to curate the things with meaning, that tell a story of your life with those you love.

Other aspects to consider are color scheme, frame shape and size, and how to attach awkward art to the wall without it falling on your head. I use a lot of Command Strips. Check weight limits and read the instructions for best results!

The photo above is a wall I curated about 5 years ago. It’s changed a bit over the years, but not by much. I’ll post a better, more updated photo later!

I created this wall based on a few things. I loved the designs and color schemes of the lamp and clock, and had a few other things that coordinated. Then, it grew (and grew!) from there.

Pretty much everything on the wall has special meaning. From photos of family members, to quotes I like, to quirky knickknacks, like my mom’s Mozart statue she had as a kid.

I have original drawings of my sweet Cosette by my friend, Chun Wang, a piece of art by a gal pal’s husband, a painting by my great aunt, plus an illustration of our family dog and a handmade dream catcher by my late brother.

I have souvenirs from a trip I took to South America in the ’90s, including a tiny ceramic planter a new kindred spirit gave me before we left.

Seashells from trips to the ocean and cards given to me by old acquaintances are also included.

It’s my personality: dreamy, quirky, classic, bookish, reminiscent, Southern, a little sassy, and always sentimental.

I encourage you to display the items, heirlooms, and memories that mean a lot to you. It’s fun and creative and I think there’s no wrong way to make your home a reflection of your incredible story.

5. Spruce Up Your Front Porch

Labor Day Weekend means fall is on the horizon!

Don’t let your neighbor, Jackie, outdo you this year. This year is YOUR YEAR.

Put up a new wreath. Add oversized lanterns with flameless candles. Sweep first, even! If you need a new doormat, this might be the time.

And, of course, you need flowers! Get some potted plants to sit in your cutest planters.

Put out a snack bowl for delivery pros with a note of gratitude.* Delivery pros are the reason we don’t run out of toilet paper or why we have bulbs in our lamps or if we eat when we’re too stressed to go to the store. Love these guys!

*I bet Jackie doesn’t have a snack bowl. (Kidding. We love you, Jackie!)

6. Make a Photo Album

If you want info about photos on actual paper, ask a Gen Xer. We know raggedy photo albums!

And these tangible treasures are still important! When you make photo albums, you’re passing down history to those you love. It’s like time capsules in the form of picture books.

Do your great-great grandchildren want to see your baby photos and what times were like in “the olden days?” Yes!

Do your great-great-great nieces and nephews want to see every meal you ate since 2008? Probably!

Do your 15^th cousins once removed (if that’s even a thing) want to see your college parties? Hmmmmm…that’s number one on their list!

Photo albums are now easier than ever to make. In the ‘90s, we ripped back the flimsy plastic, slapped a photo in an either super sticky album that held on to the pic for dear life OR one that had no adhesive and left photos falling out the cracks.

But now you can simply upload online!

Good grief.

Anyway, it’s awesome and you have no excuse! Neither do I (but I’ll still make every excuse in the book)!

7. Clean Out Your Car

This isn’t technically inside the house, but if your car is in your garage, it kind of is.

Either way, your ride might need a little makeover.

I don’t know what happens to our cars, but somehow the clutter can pile up—the cups, the crumbs, and that one rogue French fry.

Grab leftover mugs and cups, papers, bags, kid toys, extra leashes, and any other random clutter.

Recycle and compost any trash, and wash whatever needs washing! With any confidential paperwork you find, shred the documents you don’t want to get into the hands of villains.

If you have a handy hand vac, give the floor mats a good cleaning and use some special car cleaner to wipe down any sticky or dusty surfaces.

8. Add Twinkle Lights or Fairy Lights

Twinkle lights aren’t just for the holidays. To add a magical glow to your home, you can decorate with twinkle lights almost anywhere. Here are some ideas:

• Your patio or balcony
• Behind curtains or AS curtains
• Draped across your headboard
• Cascading from trees: Also these Weeping Willow Lights. Omg, WANT.
• Lining a walkway
• Wrapped around a wreath
• Decorating your workspace
• Framing a mirror
• Tucked in a planter on your front porch: A friend gave me a solar-powered garden hydrangea like this one and it’s absolutely charming at dusk.

There’s something about twinkle lights that lifts my spirits but also calms my heart. Plus, who doesn’t look good in twinkle light glow?

9. Plant Flowers

Don’t overthink this. Designate one tiny space. If that’s a little planter on your picnic table, then that’s perfect. Plant something colorful or something you’ve done before. Or try a new variety!

If you’re new to gardening, you cannot mess up hostas. Hostas are the easiest plants to grow and they gradually multiply. (But not in an obnoxious way like gremlins.) They just fill out a flower bed so beautifully.

There are lots of types, sizes, and leaf colors, too! They have fun names, too!

Hostas do attract slugs and bunnies (and others, but I mostly interact with slugs and bunnies). However, there are natural things you can do to politely ask them to chew on something else (and it doesn’t hurt them!). That might be another post!

Do you have any big or little house projects Going on Labor Day weekend? Please share in the comments!