So, the new homeowner glow has worn off and you’re thinking about remodeling. But how will you afford to do that while still paying student loans, credit card debt, and that shiny new mortgage? You could shell out for a fresh coat of paint or a new kitchen remodel.
Why not try some home remodeling yourself?
Here are a few ideas for DIY home upgrades that will keep you under budget and allow you to still pay your bills on time.
1. Install A Stair Runner
This project will run you less than $300 and can be completed in a day. You can find stair runners for under $150 at most textile stores. Pick a pattern to contrast against the other carpet in your house, or match it with your walls.
If you have hardwood stairs, this is a good choice as it will make the stairs less slippery.
Here is a helpful pictorial.
2. Refresh Floors With Paint
A warmly painted floor can make the whole room feel new again. This project is very affordable and requires you invest more time than money. Make sure you purchase a durable floor paint to prevent scuffing.
3. Create A Roman Shade
You don’t need to be an expert seamstress to sew an easy Roman shade. Pick a bright fabric and your sunniest window.
All this project requires is a few yards of fabric, a tension rod, and some ribbon to hold the shade up. A sewing machine is helpful but not necessary.
4. Paint Your Kitchen Cabinets
If refacing your cabinets is too big an undertaking, consider painting them.
Choose a paint color that compliments your appliances and counter tops. Observe the level of light your kitchen gets during the day when deciding whether to use a light or dark shade.
If done right, a clever cabinet repainting can make it look like you purchased an entire kitchen remodel.
5. Fill Your Home With Flowers
Clearing space on your bookshelves and tables for plants will reduce clutter and improve the air quality in your home. Even if you don’t have a green thumb, cacti and succulents are a low-commitment way to add greenery to your home.
Plants and flowers make a space feel refreshed and new again. You’ll look at the room with new eyes.
6. Install A Wine Rack
Wall-mounted and inner cabinet wine racks are affordable and easy to find at most interior decor stores. A wine rack, even if filled with inexpensive bottles, adds sophistication to your kitchen. Displaying your vino front and center guarantees you’ll appreciate it even before taking the first sip.
7. Polish Hardwood Floors
Even if you’ve been babying your hardwood, it’s bound to become dull eventually. The good news is that polishing your floors back to their original glory is easy. Dedicate a day to each room, and make sure to clear it of furniture first. Feel free to pull a Risky Business on your shiny floors.
8. Install An Under Sink Filter
This is one of those subtle quality-of-life improvements that will make your day brighter. Under sink water filters run as low as $50 and are easy to install even if you have no experience with plumbing. Your water will taste better and you’ll wonder why you didn’t buy this sooner!
9. Install A New Backsplash
They may be the latest HGTV buzzword, but for good reason. A good backsplash makes kitchen cleaning easier and adds vibrancy.
You can tile your own backsplash if you want. Peel and stick tiles work fine too, and are quicker. Dedicate a weekend to painting your cabinets and adding a backsplash, and you’ve got a whole budget kitchen remodel!
10. Add Crown Molding
Crown molding adds a degree of elegance to your rooms, especially if painted a contrasting color. It’s a subtle change but can transform a whole room.
Prefabricated crown molding is available at most hardware and interior stores at affordable prices. Choose the perfect shape and texture for your rooms, and don’t worry too much about color. You can always paint it.
11. Build A Path And Small Garden
In one trip to the hardware store you can get everything you need to transform your outdoor space in an afternoon. Arrange stepping stones in a path across your yard, leading from the house. Buy flowers or small stones to accentuate the path.
Home renovation extends to the outdoors, too. A beautiful house is nothing without a beautiful yard.
12. Add Window Boxes
If indoor plants aren’t your thing, window boxes are an excellent choice. They’re affordable and easy to find at hardware and department stores.
You can buy flowers or grow them from seed. Window boxes are great for herb gardens as well. With the right plants, you can bring butterflies and bumblebees right to your window.
13. Add Outdoor Lighting
Outdoor lighting is both safe and aesthetically pleasing. Whether you choose to mount lighting on your house or fence, most lighting available is easy enough to install.
If you have a path leading to your front door, put in solar-powered stake lights. Lighting your footpath adds warmth to your home and makes it more welcoming.
14. Repaint The Front Door
A bright front door gives your home an instant personality. Choose a bright or unusual color like blue or yellow to make your home stand out.
You can choose flowers and exterior shutters to match or complement your door. And don’t be afraid to get an exterior painting quote if you don’t want to do it yourself.
15. Create A Shelf Wall
If you want to try your hand at beginner carpentry, a built-in shelving unit is a great first project. The materials are available at most hardware stores and you can play with wood stains and varnishes to match your home. There are plenty of DIY shelf building guides on the web you can learn from.
Home Remodeling Doesn’t Have to Break the Bank!
I hope these 15 ideas showed you that home remodeling doesn’t have to be intimidating. You can implement small changes over time and end up with a new-looking home while still paying your bills. If any of these ides have inspired you but you’re not sure how to do it yourself, don’t be afraid to give us a call.