Home Improvements on a Budget

Let’s face it, major home renovations usually come with a hefty price tag – but that doesn’t mean you can’t start adding small touches that slowly increase the value of your home over time without breaking the bank! Here are just a few of the affordable home improvements you can do on a budget, while making your home a more beautiful place to live in at the same time.

Help yourself avoid clutter by adding storage space:

There’s a big advantage to working on a home that you’ve spent a long time living in, and that’s because you know exactly where clutter tends to build up and where the flow just doesn’t work. If you’re constantly battling with overflowing cupboards in the kitchen, take advantage of empty wall space to add shelves or additional cabinets.

Store the items you almost never use up near the ceiling so you have better access to the stuff you use all the time – it makes your kitchen more pleasing to look at and work in at the same time. If you have a really tight budget, then even hanging a few hooks to hold your prettier pans or utensils can have the same effect.

Get creative by converting an old dresser into a kitchen island by tiling the top! This way you have more drawer and counter space all in one.

In the bedroom, adding floor to ceiling built-in cupboards in place of a wardrobe can dramatically increase the amount of storage space available, and it’s a real selling point for potential buyers when the time comes.

Restore those windows on the world:

Broken, damaged or warped window frames aren’t just unattractive to look at, they can cost you big time in terms of energy. If your budget is tight, then you always have the option to do just one room at a time with a local contractor every few months! Choose a suitable and long-lasting material for your climate that fits the style of your home.

Window film is another great addition to the ‘eyes’ of your home, and there are a variety of options to choose from. Solar window film is a great choice for hot climates, and it pays for itself very quickly in terms of energy savings. Having window film applied also offers additional privacy, so it’s a good choice for bedrooms or areas where you keep valuable items like computers and TVs.

Add a splash of color:

If your budget doesn’t extend to a full scale repainting, then consider adding a touch of color with an accent wall here and there. Combine this with placement of a big mirror or two, and you can completely transform the look and feel of a room for very little money at all!

The same goes for repainting bathroom or kitchen cabinets in a snazzy color that brightens the room up. If you’re feeling more ambitious, then do one wall with an eye-catching wallpaper design. In the kitchen, consider painting one of the cupboards with chalkboard paint so you have a convenient place to scribble down grocery list items that’s cute and impresses guests too!

Floors:

If you have hardwood floors, then it’s amazing what a good sanding and polishing can do to give your home a facelift. The same goes for any exposed wooden beams or architectural features.

If you have nice carpets, then treat them to a thorough cleaning. If carpeting seems outdated or inappropriate for an area, then you can often get a local company to tile a floor quite affordably – or you can even learn how to do it yourself!

Let there be light:

You live in your home every day, so you know where those dark corners that are difficult to read or work in are. Even relatively cheap LED lighting can transform a dingy room into a sparkling oasis! If you’re naturally crafty, then you might enjoy creating your own lamp, or hunting for an old gem that can be upscaled from a second hand store.

Add personal touches to the entrance:

You can make a good impression on your guests and potential buyers alike before they even step in the door with a really unique entranceway. Think personalized address plates and numbers, solar lights in the garden leading up to the front door, or even a personalized postbox that showcases your personality.

Put your thinking cap on:

These are just a few of the easy and affordable upgrades you can make to your home – with a little bit of creativity (and maybe some inspiration online) the possibilities are virtually endless!