Cupboards faded, floors peeling, wallpaper outdated – all signs of an interior that’s seen better days. Don’t beat yourself up – you’re probably not alone. Most of us are currently financially restricted due to the economic downturn, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a great looking home. Home improvements don’t have to cost a fortune to take your home from drab-to-fab. Through creative thinking and a smidgen of effort, here are five low cost home improvement projects for maximum impact.
Start with the basics – paint. Repainting walls is a DIY project that can instantly revivify any room. If you’re painting walls, why not go one step further and freshen up the ceiling by covering it with a light, bright color that instantly opens up the room. This can make it appear bigger and feel more spacious.
Wallpapers aren’t just for traditional homes – they can also give a modern look to old, bare spaces. With a huge variety of styles and colors available, wallpapers can give a stunning elevated feel to any room. Plus, they’re easier to install than ever too – no need for the help of a professional.
Bring a smile to your space with the simple DIY task of adding some artwork, quotes or a mural to the walls. With just a few touches of personal vibrancy, the atmosphere of your entire home can instantly improve. When you’re feeling creative, try your hand at creating something unique – a show stopping statement piece that reflects your character.
Make a statement with the smallest of all design elements – the cushions. Cushions can be used to inject personality, colour and vibrancy to any sofa, chair or bed. Without having to splurge on new furniture, pillows and throws can change the entire look and bring comfort to any empty corner or wall space.
Do you have doors and windows that lack personality? Try dressing them up inexpensively with curtains and blinds. From plain and simple designs to stylised patterns, affordable blinds are a great way to farmhouse and industrial chic rooms. A good set of curtains will always be timeless and act as the perfect enabler of your home decor style.
Finally, bring life to the dead. Refresh old furniture with a simple coat of colour or a Chevron pattern that has been making a huge comeback in living rooms over the past year. Bye bye stained and worn out dressers and hello to renewed furniture pieces!
Flooring is a great way to encapsulate the whole look of any room in the house. However, it can also be the expensive side of the list. Still, there are a few ways to spruce up your floors with inexpensive finishes, such as a faux terracotta tile flooring, laminate, or even recycled paint – a great option for those who live in a rental.
With just a few tweaks and a few pounds, there are countless ways to update your home for maximum impact. Get creative and revamp your strange and tired-looking living spaces – you won’t believe the transformation! Why wait for something to happen when you can change the look of your home with very little effort. From creative wallpapers to inviting furnishings and modern drapes, these low cost improvements can take your home from drab to fab.
Remove old tapestries and dark curtains with a set of more modern curtains. Even a sheer fabric creates versatile solutions that can blend with a variety of furniture, colours and styles. It also allows natural light to peek into any room for a beautiful glowing effect.
Knowledge is power – and this is especially true in the world of DIY. Spend time understanding and researching the type of projects you want to take on. Get to grips with the basics, source materials from the right places and don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be disheartened if you don’t finish the job in a day, completing projects at your own pace can bring comfort.
Brighten up dark and uninspiring rooms by adding some interesting textures and shapes. Bring in some pops of color, introduce some interesting silks and sensual elements like Persian or Oriental carpets – find the textures, shapes and accents that make the greatest impact.
Don’t underestimate the power of lighting! After all, lighting is so much more than just bulbs. There’s copper, brass, chrome, nickel and even concrete for a more industrial feel. Wall lighting, floor lighting and hanging lamps – you may be surprised how much of an impact updating lighting can have.
Plants are the ultimate low-cost decoration! Not only will plants add color, texture and interest, but certain plants, such as peace lilies, spider plants and sugarcane, can help you enrich the air quality in your home. Plus, they don’t require a lot of attention. Welcoming green plants to your home can instantly transform any living space.
Make small improvements in places that pack the biggest punch! Pay attention to details such as door handles, light switches and other doorknobs. Simply refreshing these small elements with a coat of paint can transform dull spaces and help fine tune the overall look of your home.
Want to have a laugh? Liven up your walls with unique fun accents, such as funny notes crafted from recycled posters. Get crafty and play around with different sizes and shapes of paper art, from chalkboard wallpapers to quirky typographic posters – all of these playful accents will add a touch of character to your home.