Decorating Jobs in a Day

Make an ordinary room look extraordinary in less than a day with any of these decorating projects. Many involve repairs and upgrades to windows and walls.

By Gene And Katie Hamilton

Here's some ideas to get your creative juices going, decorating projects you can complete in less than a day. These are ways to enhance a room and make it more attractive without breaking your budget or taking up too much time. If you know there's a room in your house you've wanted to change, now's your chance.

For each of the decorating projects you'll find a link that explains what's involved and how much it costs. Use the ZIP Code entry box to customize the cost to where you live.

A few hours - from start to finish - is all it takes to add stylish glass shelving to a room and use it to showcase some of your finest treasures. Install Glass Shelves

Spend the afternoon in the kitchen making the most of a metal backsplash to enhance the look and feel of the cabinets and countertops Install a Metal Backsplash

You can replace an old ugly metal grille with a handsome wooden one that's an attractive addition to any wall. Install a Furnace Grille

In less than 4 hours you can make a fashion statement in a room with the addition of a fabric window cornice. Cost to Make a Fabric Window Cornice

If a stained ceiling is an eyesore you'll need less than 5 1/2 hours (and probably less) to prime and paint the ceiling so it's the fifth wall in a room. Paint a Stained Ceiling

Transform the look of chair seat with a splash of colorful fabric in less than 5 hours. Take a look at what's involved and how much it costs. Reupholster a Chair Seat

A stair runner softens the look of a staircase and lowers the noise to a whisper when heavy footsteps go up and down. This is a 6 hour project - tops - that you'll appreciate every day. Install a Stair Runner

If there's an electrical outlet in the ceiling you can install an attractive fan in the afternoon and enjoy cool breezes and comfortable living in any room. Install a Ceiling Fan

Is an annoying towel bar dangling precariously on the bathroom wall? In an hour and a half you can replace it. Replace a Towel Bar

A new window shade gives a room privacy and pizazz. In two and a half hours you can make this happen. Install a Window Shade

In less than a day you can get organized with a pegboard wall and store your stuff with ease. Install a Pegboard Wall