How to Update a Home on a Budget
Updating the look and feel of your home can put a dent in the savings when not undertaken on a budget. Fortunately, there are a number of money-saving ideas to choose from to modernize the style of your home.
In the Kitchen
Applying a new coat of paint to the cabinetry, walls and furniture is a relatively easy and cost-effective way to transform your kitchen. For cabinets, be sure to prime them with a de-glossing primer that will help the paint adhere. This will also eliminate the need for tiresome and messy sanding. However, painting cabinets is time consuming as you must remove doors, drawers and hardware to thoroughly apply the new coat of paint. Speaking of hardware, replacing your current cabinet hardware is another low-cost option to improve the look of your cabinets.
You can also paint the walls and furniture in your kitchen. Use satin or semigloss latex paint rather than a flat finish for the best look. This paint also stands up best to scrubbing when cleaning.
Perhaps you want the look of stainless steel appliances without emptying your wallet. Simply, use peel-and-stick contact paper made with a stainless steel finish to enhance the look of your old appliances.
Low-cost laminates will also give your countertops the look of expensive granite.
Livening Up the Living Room
Putting out new pillows or adding framed photos to the walls can cozy-up your home. Hanging additional mirrors can increase the amount of light in the home. Two mirrors facing one another can make a small room seem larger.
As with the kitchen, painting or changing out wallpaper is a cost-effective way to improve the look of your living room. You might be so bold as to try an evocative new ceiling color.
You might consider covering your furniture with new slip covers with a fascinating pattern. This can make your furniture look brand new and transform the look and feel of the living room.
Try some finishing touches like adding small decorative lanterns, fancy coasters, or an interesting coffee table book. This can give the space a more modern look.
Waking Up the Bedroom
You can transform the look of your bedroom with several simple touches. Again, painting the walls a new color is an easy way to update the look of the space. You can also change your bed covers and pillowcases. Consider installing crown molding or new baseboards (or replacing what is already there). Adding or updating a home’s trim can also lend to the space a more modern look and feel.
Lookout for Those Sales
Taking advantage of upcoming Black Friday sales or frequenting thrift stores is another way to avoid breaking the bank. Looking for deals on inexpensive accent furniture and accessories will help you stay on budget and can dramatically change the look of your home.
As you can see, all it takes is a little creativity and some savvy shopping to improve the look of your home without spending all of your hard-earned cash.
Author Bio: Stephen Reynolds is a freelance journalist who covers shopping, entertainment and all things lifestyle. Follow him on Twitter at @sreynoldswrites.
