You have to spend money to make money, and many homeowners understand that to increase their home’s value, they need to invest in renovation and remodeling projects. Anything that makes your home look better than before, from paint jobs and new fixtures to landscaping, can boost curb appeal and make it easier to sell the property once it’s put on the market.
And consumer spending on home improvement projects is on the rise. According to a recent home construction report, renovation and remodeling spending in 2020 averaged $8,300, a $3,000 increase from 2016. The three most popular home projects are new flooring, bathroom remodels, and interior painting.
However, not all homeowners can afford to spend a small fortune on home improvement projects. Instead of taking out a loan or tapping into your emergency savings to renovate your home, consider scaling down your plants into something more realistic. Even small changes can have a big effect on your home’s interior and exterior.
From design hacks to common-sense solutions, here are a few tips and tricks you can use to transform your home without breaking the bank.
1. Focus on upgrades that boost curb appeal
First impressions are everything, and projects that improve your home’s visual appeal can make it look more expensive than it actually is. Small projects with a big impact are a sure way to add value to your home.
For instance, if your home sits on a large parcel of land, make sure to look for estate gates for sale to give the entryway a more dramatic look. If you want something more understated, you can also give your front door a new eye-catching color. A bright-red front door will surely look great in photos and is certainly cheaper than buying a new door.
Installing new address numbers is a small touch that prospective buyers will surely appreciate. Choose an elegant typeface that works well with your home’s exterior walls.
2. Plant new flowers and shrubs
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on new landscaping to make your front yard and backyard look new. All you have to do is replace some of your existing plants with new flower beds and other greenery.
New flower beds are a cheap and easy way to add a pop of color into any outdoor space. Make sure to mix annuals and perennials so your garden will look lively all year round. Experiment with different plant heights and ornamentation to give your plant beds a more dynamic look. For instance, a decorative vase or sculpture can serve as a natural focal point.
But the cost of planting new flower beds can add up, so add shrubs, small trees, and other plans into the mix. If you have the skills, you can also save money on professional landscaping by doing the planting yourself. Once you’ve built a thriving garden, you’ll be able to show off your flower arrangement skills.
3. Replace small fixtures
Interior remodels often cost a small fortune. But you don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on hardware to give your kitchen or bathroom a new look. Simply replacing small fixtures such as doorknobs and drawer pulls can make a space look and feel fresher. You can also breathe new life into old furniture by giving them a fresh coat of paint.
Make sure to scour vintage and thrift stores for antique fixtures that you can repurpose. Hardware and home improvement stores should also have a selection of stylish and affordable pieces.
4. Add a rug
Tired of the wood or stone floors in your home? Instead of tearing the floors out, adding a rug or carpet is a cheap and easy way to give your home a makeover. Rugs lend a warm and cozy feeling to any space, and they’re also often used by interior designers as a finishing touch.
Just be careful about sizes and proportions. For starters, the rug should be proportional to the room. If the rug is too small for the furniture, it could cheapen your decor and make your room look smaller than it actually is.
As a general rule, the rug should be bigger than the furniture on top. For example, a living room should extend for at least half a meter beyond the couch. Similarly, there should be enough room to walk around a rug placed under a bed.
A final word
Homeowners are under a lot of pressure to add value to their homes, often taking out loans or emptying their savings accounts to pay for the renovation work. But you don’t have to spend big bucks to make your home look more luxurious. Small changes are just as effective as a total room renovation and cost far less.
