Contrary to what you may think, giving your home a makeover does not have to break the bank. While some types of renovation projects can cost thousands, there are many that do not. The key is in starting small. Take a look around you. Surely there are little changes you can make. By making upgrades on a smaller scale, you can save money while still changing the look of your living space.
To start, here are 12 fun home improvement ideas when you have a tight budget.
- Doors
How do your doors look? If you are like many homeowners, the locks and paint are probably original. To completely change the appearance of any door, consider refinishing wood or painting metal a different color. Another budget-friendly way to upgrade is by investing in a new door handle.
- Walls
If the color of your walls bores you, why not change it? Refreshing rooms with a different shade of paint can be an affordable idea for livening up any of your favorite spaces. If you want to be bold, try a dark yellow or maybe even black. A single accent wall might also do the trick.
- Molding
Now, look above the walls. How does the molding look? A cheap way to instantly upgrade the appearance of your home is by adding crown molding between the ceiling and the walls. Not only can this add some charm to the room, but it can also increase the overall value of your property.
- Dishwasher
If you are someone who is less handy with construction projects, an affordable idea for improving your kitchen is buying a dishwasher. Not only can modern appliances save you money on water and energy bills, but they can give you an entirely new experience if you previously washed dishes by hand.
- Floors
Throwing some paint on old floors that look tired and worn can give them new life. Of course, you want to make sure you have the right kind of floor surface for painting, but as long as you are not working with tile or wood, you likely have a giant canvas of unlimited potential below your feet.
- Shutters
Another way to make a big impact for little cost is by adding or changing shutters. When most people think of this part of a house, they think about the exterior, but you can have indoor shutters as well. Consider replacing old shutters with a different style or painting them another color. If your home is missing this feature, adding them can give your living space an entirely new character.
- Cabinets
Cabinets make up a significant chunk of kitchen space. Indeed, when someone walks into the room, these are one the first things they often notice. For this reason, kitchen storage space offers yet another excellent opportunity for budget-friendly brainstorming. Check out the doors and frames. Are they structurally sound? If not, replace parts to get them working in tip-top shape. Once they work properly, clean them up and add on a layer of paint.
- Fireplace
No, it is not cheap to install a new fireplace. Rather, it does not have to cost that much to fix up an existing one. Again, this is a place that some paint can really transform. To create a modern look, clean it out with a stain-blocking primer, and consider applying a high-gloss finish.
- Lights
Lighting can make all the difference. The best part is, you do not have to hire an electrician for this idea. To create the perfect atmosphere around your porch, patio, or yard for less than $50, invest in some attractive globe string lights.
- Rocks
If you have unsightly pipes, meters, or fixtures in your yard, there is good news! By adding some artificial rocks, you can easily block out these types of eyesores while giving your landscape an attractive feature.
- Shower Curtain
To change up your bathroom without spending too much, look no further than one of the most obvious things in the entire room: Your shower curtain! Without a doubt, this is one of the cheapest ways to have an instant and major impact on a room in your house.
- Sink
For another low-cost kitchen renovation idea, look no further than the sink. Do you currently have an under-sink water filter? If not, this can be an excellent way to obtain fresh drinking water without turning to bottles or fridge filters.
When you are looking for budget-friendly ways to improve your living space and increase the overall value of your home, there are probably more ideas out there than you ever imagined. If you are unsure where to begin, the items on this list can provide a guide. Remember, little steps add up. Just because these are small changes does not mean they cannot have a major impact.