20 Budget-Friendly Home Improvements That Make A Big Impact

Home improvements like a brand new extension, a complete kitchen renovation or a full garden makeover can cost homeowners thousands of pounds to get that look they want for their property, but when there’s a cost of living crisis affecting the country these dream renovations aren’t always top of the priority list. However, there are many different ways you can transform your property on a budget that still make a huge impact to how your home looks and feels. Here we’ll give you a rundown of the top 20 things you can do to your home when you’re trying to save money but upgrade your home in style.

1.    Paint your home: A lick of fresh new paint in any room of the home instantly transforms its character whether it’s a zesty fresh lemon splash of colour in your kitchen or plain white to open up a small space. What’s more, it’s really fun to choose a few sampler pots and experiment with the right colour for your space. 

2.    Update kitchen cabinets: Instead of opting for a full kitchen renovation, you won’t believe what a difference simply replacing the cabinet fronts can make to a property. You can buy new or just paint the old ones, and don’t forget to accessorise with modern or traditional handles too. 

3.    Replace bathroom fittings: Ripping out your bathroom for a flashy new suite costs thousands of pounds, but why not just replace the shower fixtures for a shiny new chrome version? You can even swap your shower head into a relaxing rainfall style shower head, or change the bath and sink mixer taps to modernise the space. 

4.    Change up your window dressings: Rather than fitting new windows, why not make the most of the ones you already have by installing some new blinds or curtains? You can mix and match colours to complement your space, and even choose stylish options such as Roman blinds to add extra interest. 

5.    Improve your lighting: How the interior of your home is lit can have a major effect on the furnishings within it. You can opt for new LED bulbs, and to make things even more exciting you can choose smart bulbs that can be controlled with your smartphone so you don’t even have to leave the sofa to dim the lights. 

6.    Get new flooring: Some types of flooring and carpet can become dated after a few years, but a brand new carpet or hardwood floor has the potential to revitalise a room. If you’re on a budget you can choose something as simple as new lino for the kitchen or bathroom, and shop for cheap carpet offcuts to fit smaller rooms. 

7.    Install a bookshelf: There’s something quite magical about a wall filled with information, knowledge and stories that invites you in. Buy a flatpack bookshelf to build yourself or browse second hand stores if you want something more characterful. Then all that’s left to do is bargain hunt for books to fill it with. 

8.    Clear out the clutter: Clutter in places like bedrooms can make the room seem smaller than it is, and it’s largely down to how much storage you have. A cheap and effective way to resolve this issue is by purchasing storage solutions such as ottomans to keep bedding and towels in or boxes that tuck neatly into your wardrobe. 

9.    Add trims and moulding: New crown moulding in a room, especially the living or dining room, instantly boosts its appeal. There are lots of modern versions of trims and mouldings available to don’t for a second think that it’s outdated or won’t fit in your contemporary living areas. 

10.    Don’t forget about landscaping: The outside of your home is just as important as the interior, so there are many ways you can spruce up this space like purchasing new and interesting plants, add solar garden lighting, add decorative mulch beneath the plants to create a clean aesthetic, or buy some paint for fences, gates and sheds. 

11.    Refurbish wooden doors: If you’ve painted your doors previously, or your wooden doors  have taken some knocks and bashes over the years, then a simple way to bring them back to their former glory is to sand them down and reveal the beauty of the wood underneath, or even stain them with a darker colour. 

12.    Recaulk the bathroom: The white caulk between the tiles in your bathroom is one of the first things to drag down its appearance when it becomes mouldy and damaged by water. Take a sharp knife or caulk removal tool and pry it away, give it a clean and then reapply fresh new caulk to make it look brand new once again. 

13.    Add more kitchen storage: Kitchens are the one room in the home that are prone to cluttered sides, making them look unattractive and smaller. Buy new racks and plastic storage boxes to either hide away the excess items inside the cupboards or display it nicely and make a feature of it. 

14.    Fireplace facelifts: Sometimes a fireplace can drag down the aesthetic of a living space if it has become dated. Thankfully there is a simple solution in the form of sanding it down, painting it or buying a completely new face for it which will create an amazing focal point in your living room. 

15.    Beautify the front of your house: If you want to give your home added kerb appeal then you can use a variety of tactics to achieve this. You can add numbers or a name to your home, put attractive stickers on your bins if they’re on show, add some exterior lighting and doormats. 

16.    Retile the kitchen: Tiles often form a subtle design element in a kitchen when used on the wall underneath the cabinets, but as part of a wider kitchen enhancement you can replace those tiles with something more traditional, or go for a vibrant colour to make the space pop. 

17.    Add floral touches: Flowers can significantly improve any home so why not experiment with incorporating them into your home more. Inside you can place fresh flowers in strategic locations such as the kitchen table, and outside you can buy window boxes to plant up and hanging baskets too. 

18.    Small details matter: It’s sometimes not even the big renovation tasks that can have a big difference in your home, but the smaller details in a property such as new door knobs, handles for drawers, electric socket covers in a brushed chrome or bronze and light switches that match. 

19.    Control your heating and electricity: If you’re trying to save money, then why not invest in a thermostat and smart meter that allow you to keep track of everything electrical in your home. A new combi boiler might be out of your price range, but you can still have full control over your heating with smart devices. 

20.    Reupholster furniture: Whether it’s a large sofa or just the chairs for your dining room, it’s an exciting and creative task to shop for fabric that you can use to create a new vibe in your home. Choose a single colour or go for something patterned to add interest and style to the piece of furniture. 

So there you have it, 20 ways to give your home a new lease of life on a budget that will leave it looking fabulously refreshed. Take our tips and implement them in your home today and start enjoying the new space you’ve created without breaking the bank on expensive home renovations. And, of course, if you need any help Fix my build are on hand to connect you with the right people!

Original author: Scott Anfield