10 Simple Home Improvement Ideas
We found some home improvement ideas and ways to improve your house on a tight budget.
We would all love a full remodel of our homes on a whim, but it is just not practical, or affordable. By using easy home improvement ideas on a budget, you can get the feel of a remodel, without the headache or hit to your wallet. Check out these home improvement projects you can do for low cost.
1. Update your home lighting
An easy way to warm up your space is with a simple table or floor lamp. You can spend a few hundred dollars or just a few to brighten up your space. A unique Tiffany style lamp with stained glass and colors will create a traditional look and lighting tone. For a more cost effective solution for the creative types is to find a new shade for an existing lamp or buy one from a thrift store or garage sale. Use some matte or shiny spray paint to update the base and add a new shade to design an entirely new look using up-cycled materials.
2. Add a rug or a runner
Lighting isn’t the only way to brighten or warm up your space. Spruce up any room with a new rug or runner. A new rug can add a great deal of personality to your house, making it a home. Use a traditional retailer or go big with a custom design to bring out the perfect feeling in your house.
3. Paint all the walls or paint an accent wall
A can of paint is less than $50 but can make the difference in how a room comes alive. Another bonus? Painting can be a great family project on a rainy day or a great indoors activity. Paint all the walls, an accent wall or update the trim to give any room a new feeling and look on a budget. Just have some left over paint from another project? Try getting creative with a simple border or designs using a color or template you find online.
When painting, try peel and stick paint samples for an easy way to see paint without the mess and cost of paint can samples.
4. Crown molding can add some flair
If you have a medium size budget, adding or updating the crown molding can breathe an entirely new life into a room. For an easy home improvement idea on a budget, paint or replace the baseboards for a fresh look while minimizing cost. Local reuse stores may have antique crown molding or trim from an older home to provide a fantastic low cost and recycled addition to any room. Be aware of any issues with older wood, like barn wood, for mold or insect damage before you install.
5. Install new appliances, easy home improvement ideas
Have the benefit of a new look and better function with new appliances. If you can wait until the holidays, appliance sales can lead to huge savings on home improvement repairs. Energy efficient appliances will extend your savings even more each month! Look for appliances with energy star ratings for the best savings. Need more incentive? Check energystar.gov for tax incentives for certain appliances or improvements. Many have been extended to the end of 2020.
6. Refresh old flooring with fresh paint or peel and stick tile
Old flooring doesn’t have to get you down. Try a fresh coat of paint on a concrete or old floor for a pop of color or clean look. If painting wood makes you cringe, find a great stain to seal your floors and update the look. Dealing with linoleum or don’t want to mess with paint or stain, try stick on tiles that lay over an existing floor for a custom look on a budge
7. Swap old blinds or curtains for an updated look
Many people stare at their windows and forget about an easy option to create a new look: blinds, shades or curtains! Most stores have inexpensive, modern blinds and shades to swap out old window dressings. Simple curtains and a new rod for less than $100 may give you such a different look that your friends ask if you got all new windows! Check blinds.com or your local hardware or thrift store for unique, custom options.
8. Pillows or blankets can brighten a room – Home Improvement Ideas
Limited on funds? Pull out an old blanket from the closet to toss on your couch arm. Afghans from a family member are a great, sentimental way of adding color and a story to your living space. Save up some cash for a spectacular blanket or throw from Anthropologie or West Elm for a modern and colorful addition. Find new pillow covers or new pillows on Amazon for unique options from all over, delivered to your door.
9. Change your home scent with candles, reed or oil diffusers
The look of your space means just as much as the feeling you get when you arrive home and breathe in a relaxing breath. Make that one smell the best it can with a new candle, wall plug or reed diffuser for one of the lowest cost options you’ll appreciate year around. Some even make pet neutralizing odors so your guests won’t even know about your fur roommates.
10. Add new hardware to your cabinets for a remodeled look
Knobs and pulls are great additions to any kitchen or bath space. Brass may have been in style in the past, but you can save your bathroom by using updated hardware from today. Sites like Etsy.com or Michael’s Stores have great options for hardware. Many local stores or Reuse shops may have antique options taken from older homes available for your fresh take.
Updating a house to become a home is easy. Easy home improvement ideas on a budget are ready for you, get started today! Want more weekend home improvement ideas? Check out our post on 31 Simple Home Improvement Weekend Projects for under $50.
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