Budget-friendly home improvement ideas

Unfortunately, the coronavirus pandemic is still going strong. This means staying home all the time. But, this also means that you are saving money you would otherwise spend on traveling, eating out, hobbies, etc. So, why not use that money to improve the state and the look of your home? Renovating and redecorating the interior and exterior of your home can be a great little project that will help you pass the time. More importantly, it can help you increase the general value of your home (if you decide to sell it in one day). And, the best part is that many home renovations are simple and cheap; you just have to be creative. We are here to help you out with that! So, without further ado, here are some budget-friendly home improvement ideas that you can do this weekend. 

Give Your Walls a Fresh Coat of Paint 

It is simple – if you want to add value to your home and completely transform it, you should start by giving your walls a fresh coat of paint. This is one of those budget-friendly home improvement ideas that you can do in just a couple of days, and you can do it all by yourself. So, pick a color you like, gather your painting supplies, put some music on, and get started. 

We strongly advise you not to go overboard with colors. Choose something neutral (white, beige, gray, etc.) or pastel (yellow, baby blue, or pink, etc.) for the majority of your home, and keep the darker colors for smaller accent walls. Of course, be sure that everything matches your new walls – floors, furniture, decorations, etc. If you feel uninspired, check Pinterest or some home décor magazines – they will undoubtedly give you some creative ideas.

Caption: You do not need professional painters; painting is something you can do all by yourself.

Refresh Your Floors 

Do not stop with your walls – give your floors a fresh coat of paint too! This is a relatively cheap way of upgrading the look of your entire home, yet, many people don’t even consider it. Just like there are paint variations for your walls or your furniture, for example, there are options for your floors too! So, again, choose the color you like, the one that matches the ‘vibe’ of your home, and start painting.

However, keep in mind that this project will require some time. Painting the floors and letting them dry completely can last from five to ten days. Moreover, you will have to take all of your household items somewhere else – to your garage, basement, attic, or storage unit. If you opt for a storage unit, be careful as there may be some things that you won’t be able to store. Thus, before making your decision, do a little bit of research first and take your non-storable items elsewhere.

Add a Backsplash in Your Kitchen 

If your kitchen needs some love, adding a nice-looking backsplash is the way to go. This will add value to your kitchen without breaking the bank, and it will completely transform it too. Basically, you can do this project in two different ways. The more complicated but nicer-looking way is to use tiles. But, to create a backsplash this way, you must be handy with tiles and glue. If you are not, do not worry, there is a simpler (and a cheaper) solution. You can use an inexpensive material made from a single sheet. All you have to do with this one is cut it to fit your kitchen and glue it with the glue that usually comes in the package. This will not only make your kitchen look brand new but will also protect your walls from splashes, splatters, and all the grease coming from frying pans and pots. 

Caption: Adding a backsplash is not as complicated as it used to be in the past.

Let There Be Light 

There is something so beautiful and peaceful about well-lit homes. Proper lights set the mood and the atmosphere in the entire house. Thus, you should give this project some thought! If your home looks a bit dull, maybe all you need to do is layer lighting. Start by taking advantage of natural light. Remove those heavy window shades and dark curtains. Let the light in! If you still want some curtains (for privacy), consider lighter ones. Then, think about the lighting fixtures in your home. If your budget allows it, change all of them. If not, change just the ones that are in the rooms you spend the most time in. Moreover, you do not have to spend a fortune on a chandelier or a floor lamp – you can find cheap and unique lighting fixtures in thrift shops, flea markets, antique stores, and garage sales.

Caption: Proper usage of lighting can change the look and the feel of your entire home.

Refinish all the Wooden Pieces 

Last on our list of budget-friendly home improvement ideas you should try is refinishing all the wooden pieces you have in your home. These can be your furniture, doors, windows, or even that wooden fence on your deck or balcony. To refinish these, all you need is a spatula for scraping, sanding paper, and a refinishing oil or paint in the color of your liking. This is neither a complex DIY project nor an expensive one but is a project that requires your time and energy. Moreover, it requires some space, preferably outside, where you can sand and paint without worrying about all the mess. Give it a go – the end results will be amazing! But, remember, if you have never done this before, it might be a good idea to watch a couple of YouTube tutorials first. Educate yourself properly, and you will soon become a refinishing expert. 

By Mary Aspen Richardson

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