If you’ve ever watched HGTV, you know how fun fixing up your home can be. In fact, many people make a living doing nothing but that. But you don’t have to be a professional house flipper to fix up your own home.
Of course, you may think that fixing up your home is too expensive for you. But there you would be wrong. There are plenty of ways to remodel your home that can fit with your budget.
And fixing up your home doesn’t always mean just making it prettier. Sometimes, it means fixing things that need fixing, or improving the functionality of your living space. Whatever your reasons, home renovations are important for keeping your home running smoothly. They can also help you feel more comfortable and at home in the place you live.
So finding the time and money to fix your home is important. Let’s take a look at a few tips for fixing up your home on a budget, and some home renovation ideas to boost your living space.
Some renovation tips
When considering fixing up your home, especially on a budget, there are a few general tips you can follow to make the process easier and the results more satisfying. The first is to start with a plan. Sit down and make a list of everything you want to be done— from painting and lighting to windows and doors. Don’t worry about money yet, just write out everything you want done.
While you’re making this list, try to shoot for a good blend of comfortable and practical. You want your home to be inviting and a happy space for you, but you also want it to be safe and sturdy. So consider what needs to be done to make both of those things happen.
Once you have your list, now you can look at your budget. Consider what things you can afford, and whittle down your list to what is most important to you. If you have accountants, they can help you figure this out.
Now is also the time to think about who will be fixing up your home. Do you want to do it yourself, or hire a remodeling contractor? Doing it yourself can be fun, and much cheaper, but if you don’t have the time or need someone with specialized skills, you need to work a contractor into your budget.
Then, start saving up the money until you reach your budget. You can save bonuses from work, tips, money from side jobs, gifts from friends, etc. Any extra money that you have can be set aside to help you improve your home.
Once you’ve got your plan and your money saved up, it’s time for the fun part! There are also great ways to work around a budget during the process. Consider doing it around a holiday— many furniture and hardware stores have holiday sales that will help you save a lot of money. You can also shop at thrift stores or used goods stores, to find the materials you need for a much lower price.
Now that you’ve got all this in mind, let’s take a look at some ideas for fixing up your home on a budget.
1. A fresh coat of paint
A little paint can go a long way in the world of home remodeling. Adding a fresh coat of paint to your favorite rooms, or even the outside of your house, can provide a boost of vitality. It lets you tailor the color and feel of your space to your own wants and needs, and gives your home more personality.
2. The kitchen
You spend a lot of time in your kitchen, and it’s where you prepare your food, so it is an essential part of fixing up your home. If you haven’t changed your kitchen since you moved in, it’s likely that there are ways you can think of improving it. Now is your chance to do that.
This can be something small, like refinishing the cabinets or getting a new microwave. Or you could remodel the whole kitchen, and add an island and a new hanging pot rack. Think about managing the space well, so you can take care of what you need, while also making it look and feel nice for you and your family.
3. The bathroom
Much like the kitchen, your bathroom is an essential part of your home. It’s where you take care of all of your less savory needs. So keeping it up-to-date, as well as pleasing to you, should be important.
You want to make sure that everything is clean and running smoothly. Replace the toilet or faucet if necessary. At the same time, you can redo the paint, put in new tiles, or do other things to make it look nicer.
And, most importantly, there’s the shower. It’s so important, in fact, that 87% of people who redo their bathrooms also update their shower. Make sure that it fits your needs, and is comfortable to be in.
4. Plumbing
While thinking about your bathroom, you should also check your plumbing. Your house runs on this, and if it doesn’t run smoothly, then your house may not be safe. So consider hiring plumbing contractors to take a look at your plumbing and tell you if it needs fixing.
5. Wiring
This is another essential part of fixing up your home. Without proper wiring, your electronics, kitchen, and lighting won’t work. So now’s the time to take care of any faulty wiring you may have, and update it to run more smoothly.
6. Lighting
Lighting controls the feel of your home, not just how well you can see. Consider each room, and what you want in terms of brightness and comfort levels. White lights are much brighter and make it easier to see, but they can make people feel uncomfortable and remind them of doctor’s offices or school buildings.
On the other hand, yellow lights are much warmer and create more comfort, but they may not be as bright. For bedrooms, dining rooms, and common areas, yellow lights might be the obvious choice. But for areas where you need more light, like kitchens and bathrooms, you may want white lights.
It’s all up to your personal choice. But now is the time to take a look at your lighting, and adjust it to fit your own needs and comfort levels. Lighting is one of the most important, yet least thought of, parts of a home environment.
7. Windows and doors
This part of your home serves two functions. The first is as a way to allow entry into your home, or parts of it, and ways to see in and out. And the second is to keep the temperature in your home stable.
The first consideration is important for looks and flow. You want doors and windows that look nice, and function well so you can feel more at home. Maybe try out some cheap window clings or window covers to brighten up the space, or using glass doors contractors to create more appealing spaces.
And the second consideration is even more important. Doors and windows need to seal properly, or they will let the heating in your house escape. This will raise the costs of your heating or air conditioning. Consider a commercial door service to make sure that your doors seal properly, and don’t let out your precious heat.
8. Outside the house
The outside is the public part of fixing up your home. This is the part that everyone can see without coming in. So it’s important to make sure you like the look of it, and that it doesn’t look dirty or falling apart.
Consider doors, windows, shutters, wall color, a porch light, etc. Try to create a look that is pleasing to the eye and represents parts of your personality.
Also think about the siding of your house. Of course, it’s important for it to look nice, as with everything else. But you also want it to be strong and damage-free so your home stays sturdy. Hiring a good siding contractor can help you with this.
A small consideration that many people don’t think about is your house numbers. This is what allows people who are looking for your home, like friends and delivery drivers, to find it. So make sure that your house numbers are clearly visible and stand out. You can put them on your mailbox, by the front door, or even both. And don’t be afraid to get stylish with them!
9. Driveway and sidewalks
This is another outside part of fixing up your home. While you can have fun with it, the most important thing is to keep your driveway and sidewalks clean and well-maintained. If the driveway is cracked or broken, get some asphalt repair to fix it up. This will make your feet and tires much happier.
10. Pesky pests
Pest control is something to consider all the time, but it’s easy to take care of while you are fixing up your home. Hire exterminators to take care of any pests you may have, and to help you prevent getting them in the future.
Think about termites, spiders, ants, raccoons, birds, etc. Any animals that can get in your home can cause massive amounts of damage. Spending a little bit of money now to prevent them from getting in will save you a lot in the future.
11. The small stuff
You’ve already looked at types of lighting. But you can also think about smaller details in your home, like light fixtures, doorknobs, and faucets. Of course, these should be functional. But they can also be pretty!
Small features like this are a great and cheap way for you to add some personality to your home. You can find great deals on stylish doorknobs and faucets to improve the feel of your home, and make you happier living there.
12. The patio
Your backyard is a part of your home too. If you have a large yard or even a patio or deck, that is a great opportunity to spice up your home and make it fit you well.
Consider the colors you have, either in the stain of the wood or the type of flooring. You can change this to fit your personality and desires.
There’s also plants. Depending on how much space you have, you have a lot of options here. You could get some decorative potted plants to put around the patio. You could create a whole garden of roses, bushes, and beautiful plant life, complete with a fountain. Or you could create a vegetable garden, with some herbs on the side, to grow your own food.
You likely have a lot of creative freedom with your backyard space, so don’t be afraid to use it! It’s a great way to add your personality when fixing up your home, and there are so many options that you can make it fit your budget.
13. Bulletin boards
One final fun option is to add bulletin boards or cork boards to your home. These can be functional, allowing you to pin up important papers, dates, information, and fast food menus. But they can also be fun.
Bulletin boards allow you, and anyone in your home, to have fun with decorating in an easy and cheap way. You can pin up whatever you want, and if you ever want to change or replace it, it’s easy to do. You can also have fun leaving messages for each other on boards like this.
There are a lot of options that you have when fixing up your home. Remember to find a good blend of comfort and practicality, adding beauty to your house while also making sure that it is sturdy and safe. Make a plan, and figure out how much you can fit into your budget.
And, of course, have fun with it. You can use the ideas given to you here, find your own, or even head over to HGTV to see what other people do with their homes. It is a great opportunity for you to have fun, add personality to your home, and improve your happiness where you live.
