Not everyone has the time or money to carry out major renovations on their home. But by doing a series of small DIY upgrades instead, you can still achieve the impact you are after.
These 10 ideas can help you achieve the changes you want without breaking the bank or taking months to complete.
Upgrade Ideas
1. Rearrange Furniture
The most obvious update that you can make, which won’t cost you anything, is to rearrange your existing furniture into configurations that look fresh and provide greater functionality.
This could involve decluttering or applying the principles of Feng Shui to improve the flow of natural energy in your home.
2. Add New Colour
Another affordable upgrade you can make is to change the colour scheme simply by adding a coat of paint. A brighter colour can make a room feel larger and lighter and give it a whole new atmosphere for the cost of a can of paint.
You only want to do it once though, so be sure to use the right tools and follow the correct painting techniques which can be learned in any number of YouTube videos.
3. Upgrade Fixtures
You can give a room the illusion of having been fully renovated simply by upgrading fixtures and fittings. This can include things such as light switches, baseboards, and door handles.
In the bathroom, affordable upgrades can also be made by replacing the taps (faucets) and adding some bling with new mirrors, towel rails, or showerhead.
4. Update Windows
An inexpensive upgrade that can have a huge impact on any room is to modernize the window treatments. Ditch those old-fashioned drapes and go for the clean lines of vertical or horizontal blinds or indoor shutters.
Or, if the budget won’t stretch that far, a simple and on-trend idea is lace and cornstarch window treatment applied directly to the glass. This gives you a beautiful lacy translucent effect while providing privacy and natural light.
5. Add Artwork
Hanging a piece of art on a formerly blank wall can create impact and provide a focus for the space. And if you’re not up to painting your walls, it can add the splash of colour needed to brighten up the room.
Any type of artwork can be used in this way, whether it’s an interesting sculpture or a unique conversation piece. It doesn’t have to be high-brow just something that pleases you and fits with the space.
6. Change Lighting
An upgrade that is easy to achieve is to replace the light fixtures. This can have a big impact on the style of the space without costing a lot.
Types of lighting can include:
- energy efficient lighting - can reduce your energy costs
- recessed lighting - can provide light without glare
- dimmer switches - can soften the mood
- skylights and light tubes - can provide a natural form of lighting that is basically free.
7. Replace Tiling
New tiling in the kitchen, bathroom, or laundry can be a cost-effective upgrade that will give clean, modern lines to a tired room. Even changing the backsplash in the kitchen can create the illusion of a freshly renovated room.
While you can teach yourself the techniques of tiling (i.e. DIY websites and YouTube videos) if it feels like it’s beyond you, you should get a professional tiler to ensure a quality finish.
8. Freshen Up Flooring
If you already have timber floors and they are looking a bit tired and worn, bringing them back to a lustrous shine with a floor polisher can be an affordable improvement to make.
If you have timber floors that are covered with carpet or linoleum, exposing them could give your rooms an airy and spacious new look and feel.
9. Increase Storage
If you don’t have enough room for all of your ‘stuff’, adding some discreet storage ideas can give you the look you want without major construction.
Some ideas might include using dual-purpose furniture items such as ottomans, end tables, and beds with hidden drawers and utilizing under-stair, hallways, and other unused spaces where shelving could be installed.
10. Spruce Up The Outside
Your home’s exterior can also benefit from DIY upgrades. These can include a new or repainted front door, fixing up the garden, repairing/repainting the fence, or restoring your deck. Most decks require regular maintenance unless they are made from composite material.
Even simple things such as a new door knocker, letterbox, new house numbers, a new doormat, or potted plants can give the exterior a lift and improve your home’s curb appeal for little cost.
Making small upgrades to your home can help to freshen up its appeal and make you feel happier. It can also take care of small repair jobs that needed doing, which helps to maintain the value of your home.
Most of the suggestions made here can be done by anyone with a basic set of tools and some hands-on ability. But remember larger jobs such as wiring and plumbing should be left to professionals to ensure they’re done correctly and safely.
