With the New Year quickly approaching, you're probably itching to give your home a seasonal makeover. There are some projects you should just leave to the pros , but others are fair game to try yourself. Mandi Gubler has made DIY renovations and home upgrades her business as the mastermind behind the design blog Vintage Revivals . We asked her to share some simple—but still impactful—ways you could update a space without having to hire a contractor, and she offered five ideas you've probably never thought of before. (And they're easy on your wallet, too.) Your weekend is about to get way more productive.

Wallpaper

Gubler swears you can turn a blank wall into a visual masterpiece with nothing more than a ruler and paint pen. “Not only does this faux wallpaper look expensive, but you can do it all by yourself for under ten bucks.” Not the best artist? No worries. She suggests sticking to a straight-lined pattern that can be measured out in pencil beforehand.

Brick façade

There's something so charming about exposed brick walls, but they're a rarity. Forge your own Brooklyn-style façade with thin brick veneers—available in bulk at most hardware stores—and Omnigrip . “This project is surprisingly doable and adds one-of-a-kind character to a small space," Gubler explains.

Wood flooring

Installing your own patterned wood flooring at home is easier than you might think—and costs less than $80. With the help of some hand-cut geometric pine pieces and a brad nailer, these boring linoleum floors became a sophisticated scene. "The hardest part is just replicating the same shape over and over to fill up your space," says Gubler.

Rugs

Who knew the answer to finding the perfect rug for an oddly-sized room was as simple as unearthing a paperclip? Gubler likes to sew together two or more woven rugs with a twine-threaded paperclip (which acts as the "needle") to create larger, custom-shaped textiles.

Statement lighting

There’s no reason to spend loads of money on lighting. If you have a little electrical knowledge—and “want to banish all the boob lights from your house"—Gubler recommends this chic brass chandelier. The bulk of the project involves simply putting together little brass pipes and screws.