Be busy. Maintain your castle. You hear it often here.

Maybe you find yourself where I was - not ready or willing to put up an addition or gazebo, but out of things to "fix". The faucets aren't leaking, the doorknobs are latching, all is right in the world.

Well, here's a small list of ideas for keeping busy at home and improving the castle at the same time - please add your own ideas in the comments as well.

  • Change everything to LEDs. They're cheap. They're efficient. They look better.

  • Replace shower fixtures / rods. Get a hotel feel without leaving the house. New fixtures are super cheap on Amazon and can instantly revitalize a master bath.

  • Install dampers / soft closing hinges on the toilet lids / kitchen and bathroom cabinets, etc. Your 4 year old son will thank you, and it makes things feel a little more high class. Downside: you can't slam them when your wife gets you on tilt. Just kidding, you don't respond to her tantrums, right?

  • Replace switches with newer, fancier ones, or new dimmers if appropriate. Disclaimer: I'm not responsible if you fry yourself. Turn off the power and do it right.

  • Similarly, upgrade some outlets - add some with USB plugs in them as well in the bedroom and living area. Especially if they're that ugly almond color that seemed so popular not long ago.

  • Paint - if you like the color of the rooms, tape off the baseboards/trim and get them dazzlingly white again.

  • Fix creaky floors/stairs. Now personally my house is nearly 100 years old and a bit of creak is part of the charm, but no one wants to feel like they're about to fall through the floor like they're an extra in Home Alone.

  • Caulk. Caulk everything you can see. Drafty doors and baseboards, windows, everything. Again, do it right. Sloppy caulking looks just as bad if not worse as uncaulked.

  • Install some solar motion lights on your patio/deck or along your fence. Taking the trash out at night just became a bit easier, plus it adds some nice security to your property.

  • Have a wall mirror? Add some framing around it to class it up.

  • Upgrade your home's locks and doorbell - going smart if you want and can afford it.

  • Replace the door hardware on interior doors to freshen them up.

  • Replace cabinet hardware to get a nearly "remodel" feel out of your kitchen for $50 instead of $50K.

  • Install LED strip lights in pantry / closets. Bonus points if they automatically turn on when the door opens.

  • Buy and install a bidet. They can be super inexpensive and you get that freshly showered feeling every single time you drop a post-Chipotle deuce.

  • Upgrade your thermostat to a smart one or at least one that you can program easily.

  • Install new street facing numbers on the outside of your home.

  • Upgrade that old ceiling fan with a newer more efficient model that probably looks 100x better anyway.

  • Clean up your cluttered shower by installing a dispenser that looks clean and modern. And by keeping your wife in check.

  • Install new backsplash in the kitchen.

  • Powerwash your patio/outdoor area.

  • Insulate the hell out of your place so heating/cooling isn't as pricey.

  • Install new storm / screen doors.