Home Renovation Tips
on a Tiny Budget
Are you looking for home renovation tips that are useable now? So many of us think about how much we would like to change certain things about our homes – and dream about those hardwood floors, fireplaces, and big beautiful bay windows.
Regardless of what your dreams about your home, you can achieve a
lot on your current household budget if you know where to go and how to
do it!
Realize that the small stuff, like new paint and lights,
new pillows for the couch, a new rug in front of the television, new
rugs and towels for the bath - and other little things will do wonders,
and might just thrill you until you can afford the bigger stuff.
Consider these 8 home renovation ideas as you get started:
1. Painting
It
is an amazing feat, and a room changing experience to dabble with the
newest paint colors and designs. Things like sponging, color washing,
stencil work, and even wallpaper in a living room or entire house make
changes that will thrill you! And for just a little bit of cash, your
house can be transformed.
Try going to a local hardware store and
picking up a ‘specialty’ paint instruction book. These are everywhere,
and even have color swatches for suggestions. Once you decide on the
pattern or unique paint job you want to do, all that is left is choosing
the colors, and after all, isn’t that the best part!
2. Lighting
Next
on our list of easy home renovation tips is lights, which can make
dramatic changes in the appearance of your home. There are things like
track lighting, tall decorative lamps, and new table lamps and even new
light fixtures that will brighten your home, and create a beautiful new
look.
Browse the lighting store for great ideas, and for sale
items. Yes, lights and fixtures can get a little expensive, but if you
are not in a hurry, you are able to catch the big sales stores have
every few months.
3. Accessories
You would be amazed at
how much you can do for a little cash. Some new chenille sofa covers
and new pillows, new drapes and a couple of new rugs might have you
smiling.
One of the best home renovation tips is to hit the
discount and thrift stores. Even a new tablecloth with some carefully
chosen candle holders and sticks will brighten up a dreary dining room.
And try putting some potpourri in jars around the house, and next to
your bed to make your home smell beautiful.
4. Furnishings
You
can find some really inexpensive deals when looking for a new sofa or
chair, dining table or even a new bed. Furniture stores are trying to
stay alive and will bargain with you endlessly. Or why not try some
garage sales!
A new sofa and chair can change the entire look of a
living area or den. So can a new dining room table. One of the best
home renovation tips is to shop around at discount stores or even thrift
stores – you never know what you will find for a great deal.
5. Kitchen Countertops
If
you want to re-do your kitchen counters, it can be done cheap enough.
Unless of course you are talking about granite and then you will need
an installer, and a bigger household budget. But if you decide on tile,
many, many people do this themselves.
If your guy is handy, all
you need to do is pick up a great tile and grout book or home renovation
guide, and all that is left is picking out the beautiful new tile –
well, at least your part. Retiling your kitchen counters can change the
entire look of your kitchen, and will keep you happy for decades.
6. Upgrading Appliances
You
might be able to swing this if you do the math, getting energy
efficient appliances that will save you hundreds of dollars annually and
on your tax return.
As you consider these home renovation tips,
remember that new appliances save you in monthly utility bills, and
brings a beautiful new look to any kitchen or laundry room. But, check
for sales – new kitchen appliances do get costly. There is always last
year’s floor model that will come in at about half the cost of brand
new. 7. Re-tile the Floors
This is a little easier than kitchen
counters, since there is not as much cutting and it is a lot easier to
work on the floor than short counter space, so once you have conquered
the kitchen counters, and even the bath counters, you have got it made
with floor tile.
And the look can change the entire appearance of your kitchen or bath. Use that home renovation guide available at the library.
8. Refinish Wood Cabinets
If
the cabinets are still in good shape in the kitchen and bath, you an
actually re-furbish them instead of replacing - by removing old paint or
sealant, sanding and varnishing them with a new stain or
sealant.
You
might even consider re-painting the wood cabinets with some brand new
paint and you will have an entire new and fresh look. And while you are
at it, put in some nice new cabinet liners for extra freshness.
I
trust these home renovation tips have helped you too see possibilities
for upgrading your home while still maintaining your household budgeting
integrity.
Please
share this article using the buttons below or the top right of this
page and be sure to sign up for an informative and free newsletter above
on the right there. Thank you.
Kristy Ramirez is a personal finance guru and a money savvy mommy who occasional writes for Life Insurance Finder Australia.
Return from Home Renovation Tips to
Household Budget Made Easy Home.
