Doing home improvement doesn’t have to be expensive and time-consuming. With the proper planning, some careful shopping and a little DIY know-how, home improvement on a budget is possible. Here are 8 ideas to get you started.
1. Paint your walls. A coat of paint can breathe new life into any room. It won’t take long to do, and you can do it yourself. Try switching up the colors in different rooms according to the mood you want to create. Painting is an affordable home improvement project that can truly transform a room.
2. Switch out furniture. Rather than buying an all-new set of furniture for a room, consider swapping out one or two pieces to change the vibe. Shop yard sales, second-hand stores, auction sites or even thrift stores for cheap furniture that you can refinish and reuse.
3. Update hardware. Old knobs, handles, and hinges on furniture and cabinets can be hard to look at after a while. Give them a fresh new look with updated hardware. Even extra-large dressers can be transformed with some new keyhole covers or drawer pulls in interesting shapes and designs.
4.Upgrade window treatments. Simple and neutral options are available at a relatively low cost. Plus, you can bring in some color and patterns with throws and pillows with a unique trim. Make use of the natural light coming in with light-filtering blinds.
5. Add throw rugs. Rugs are timeless and add personality to any room, whether they complement the decor already in place or not. Shop by size, material, color, shape, or pattern to get the rug that fits the room just right.
6. Switch out lighting. Changing out the lighting can take any room from gloomy to glamorous. Look for lamps, sconces, and ceiling fixtures that match the tastes and budget of your space.
7. Refresh upholstery. Don’t let stained and scuffed upholstery drag down a room. Get an updated look by reupholstering with fabric of any color. The choices for selecting a new fabric are endless—tweed, velvet, chenille, and leather, just to name a few.
8. Rearrange existing furniture. If you can’t afford to buy new furniture, simply rearrange the existing pieces to give the room a new look. Push furniture away from the walls to encourage conversation and place mirrors on walls to reflect light and give the illusion of a bigger space.
Finally, to help you future-proof your home and save on energy bills, think of ways of how you can make your home more energy efficient. The answers to this often lie in the details like insulation, upgraded windows, better techniques used for air seals for walls, and efficient electrical systems. All these can be achieved with a little extra money and effort.
Moreover, if your roof is past its prime, check out the selection of composites shingles or interlocking tiles and be sure to take advice of a professional. Overall, insulation is key to saving energy, since it helps to prevent heat loss in the winter and cool air leakage in the summer.
When thinking about home improvement, think low-impact changes that offer style points without complicated maintenance. For instance, you could look at fake brick treatment for your walls or consider manufactured or faux stones made of resin. Also, for a smaller investment and less of a hassle, you can opt for vinyl floor tiles that resemble marble, wood, or stone.
Finally, for the absolutely adventurous, windows can be exchanged for a custom balcony, and refaced cabinets can bring a new life to a kitchen. Just keep in mind that there are affordable yet efficient home improvement products out there, so take the time to find the right fit for your budget.
If you’re looking to improve the interior of your home, why not start with updating the exterior? A home’s exterior is the first thing others notice, so think about how you can spruce it up. If you’re looking to repaint, research minute details like special primers for painting particular types of wood. You could also look into window grills or add feature plants to your yard.
If you’ve taken care of your home’s exterior, focus on the inside. Add new or repainted crown molding, baseboard trim, and door trim. Add shelving or even build an entertainment center! And don’t forget to add closet organization systems that can double your storage space.
If you’re looking to do home improvement on a budget, consider simple projects that you can do yourself like painting walls or replacing fixtures. Or get creative and look into more unique solutions. Move furniture around, invest in a set of canvas prints, or hang floating shelves. No matter what home improvement project you choose, it’s bound to make a difference.
Home improvements don’t have to be daunting. You can make how you want to feel at home happen without breaking the bank. But it isn’t just about buying affordable items, it’s about getting the most bang for your buck and making smart home improvement investments. Decide on a goal, research and compare the options that suit your needs, and don’t be afraid to volunteer time and effort by tackling projects yourself. Do your due diligence to make sure you’re taking the right steps towards creating a happy home.