The “2-Minute” Rule Is the Easiest Way to Transform Your Home
Apartment Therapy’s January Cure is a free 20-day program that’ll help you refresh your home for the year ahead. Sign up here and get all assignments delivered to your inbox.
When you think of completing a “home project,” you might think of something elaborate like pulling out the entire toolbox or transforming a whole room. But there are the smaller tasks that are just as important, like changing out a plain light switch for something stylish or adding bumpers to your cabinets to prevent them from slamming shut too loudly. Those changes are immediate, high-impact, and can be done in minutes. Here’s how.
Day 6: Follow the two-minute rule.
The two-minute rule involves dedicating just 120 seconds to a mini project around your home. Grab a timer and choose one little project to work on today. Here are some things you can do in that timeframe:
- Swap out a cracked light switch plate.
- Replace a burnt-out lightbulb.
- Use WD-40 to lubricate sticky door hinges or loosen a stuck drawer.
- Fill a hole in your wall with spackle or this repair kit.
- Add felt pads to furniture feet.
- Fix a scratch in your wood furniture, floors, or cabinets with a walnut.
- Tighten a loose knob on your cabinet.
- Add bumpers inside cabinet doors.
What was your two-minute task today? Share what you did in the community forum.
More ways to participate in the January Cure:
- Sign up for email updates.
- Visit the 2026 January Cure page and catch up on assignments.
- Download the January Cure calendar.
- Activate your free membership to talk about all things Cure in our community forum, check off completed tasks, and track your overall January Cure progress!
The Cure Program is a tradition here at Apartment Therapy — it happens every January, April, and September. Click here to learn more about the year-round program and when to sign up.