(BPT) - While you may not know the term “nowism,” you more than likely live it. With our fast-paced lives, this term, coined by www.trendwatching.com, a leading trendscouting website, describes the trend of the consumer’s need for instant gratification. We want fast service, fast answers and fast results.

And, of course, this need for fast fixes extends into our homes. Luckily, no matter how pressed you are for time, you can spruce up your house by focusing on simple projects that can be completed quickly ... in a day or a weekend. Don’t delay – check these easy and affordable projects off your to-do list today and soon your home will be perfectly prepared and instantly updated.

Fancy fixtures

As the workhorse of the kitchen, we have dozens of daily interactions at the sink. So, give your kitchen a functionality facelift by upgrading your faucet. The innovative Moen Delaney or Haysfield kitchen faucets with MotionSense are an ideal choice to bring your kitchen into the digital decade. MotionSense allows you to accomplish a variety of routine tasks with speed and efficiency, offering you three ways to operate the faucet. In addition to the traditional handle, you can activate it by using the Wave Sensor – by waving your hand over the faucet to turn on and off – or the Ready Sensor – by placing your hands or an object under the spout. In addition, the eye-catching designs of the faucets, both featured in a Spot ResistStainless finish which resists water spots and fingerprints, create an immediate aesthetic update. 

Next, tie the finish of your new faucet throughout your room by updating the hinges, knobs and pulls on your cabinets for an uncomplicated and inexpensive way to add new dimension to your kitchen space.

Restore beauty in the bath

In a recent Gallup Poll, 80 percent of workers said they feel stress on the job, making it important to make your home – and specifically your bathroom – a relaxing retreat. Swap your old, boring showerhead with the new Moen Halo rainshower to create a serene sanctuary within minutes. Available at The Home Depot (approximately $59), Halo features an innovative, pivoting double-ring design which provides 60 percent more coverage than traditional 9-inch rainshowers. Three spray settings – full rainshower, deep massage and relaxing massage – create a spa-like experience, and with an easy two-step installation, you can upgrade your bathroom in no time.

Another fast fix for the bathroom is to simply get organized ... and stay that way.  Keep your hand towels tidy by installing a Retractable Towel Ring. The thoughtfully designed accessory offers the traditional benefit of a towel ring, with a retractable cord that extends from the base to allow the towel to be used – yet stay neatly in place. Simply pull the towel toward you, dry hands and release. The unique accessory is the ideal solution for your bath, or even kitchen or laundry room, to keep your towels remaining securely on the towel ring. Within minutes you’ll have a clean, up-to-date space you’ll want to show off.

Refurbish the living room

As one of the gathering areas for your family or guests, the living room can get dirty quickly – especially the carpet. Footprints, pet odors or food and beverage spills could be detracting from the enjoyment of the room, so take a few hours to take back your carpet. Many grocers rent steam cleaners for as little as $25 per day, making them an ideal solution to bring new life to your living space.     

Living room lighting can also have a big impact on your room’s decor and ambiance. Brighten your atmosphere – and your mood – by replacing your current incandescent light bulbs with high-efficiency LED lamps. These energy-efficient bulbs will have your home shining brightly all season long, while also saving on your electric bills.

Clean ceiling fans

The most neglected fixture in your home might be hanging right above your head – the ceiling fan. Luckily, by flipping a switch, you can improve the effectiveness of this overhead oversight.  Start with dusting the fan blades and housing, and then simply reverse the fan's usual summer rotation to a clockwise spin to push down warm air from the ceiling. This is easily done with a switch located on the side of the fan's motor.

Don’t think that fix-ups can’t fit into your fast-paced life. By following these helpful hints, you can quickly and easily renew your home now and make it an inviting retreat throughout the year.