Guide To Home Improvement Projects

Are you looking to make some home improvements but don’t have a huge budget to work with? Don’t worry, there are plenty of affordable upgrades and projects you can do to make your house more enjoyable to live in and add value when it comes time to sell.

In this blog post, we’ll share 10 home improvement tips focused on budget-friendly projects that just require some elbow grease, the right tools, and a few hundred dollars to elevate your space. From giving your home fresh curb appeal to opening up cramped rooms, these easy DIY home upgrades can make a big impact without breaking the bank. Let’s get started!

1. Give Your Floors and Walls a Facelift

Installing brand-new hardwood floors or fully remodeling your bathroom requires major investments. But you can still upgrade the look of your floors and walls without spending a fortune.

If your current flooring has seen better days, consider resurfacing or staining the existing floors instead of replacing them. This can instantly give them new life at a fraction of the cost. Adding stylish and neutral color scheme wallpaper or a fresh coat of new paint works wonders for transforming the vibe of a room too.

Just your bare hands, some elbow grease, a few cans of paint or wood stain, and some decorative wallpaper can work magic. Focus on high-traffic areas like the entryway, main living spaces, and primary bedroom to get the most bang for your buck.

This company HGTV recommends affordable upgrades like paint, hardware, and lighting.

2. Upgrade Your Existing Cabinets on a Budget

Is your kitchen stuck in the 90s with oak cabinets and dull brass hardware? Or maybe your bathroom cabinets are worn out and missing hooks and rods? Replacing cabinets can get expensive, but you’d be surprised how upgrading what you already have can modernize the space.

Just switching out the old cabinet hardware for updated brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze pulls and handles can give cabinets a fresh new look. For kitchens, adding new interior organizing inserts and rollout shelves helps maximize unusable space. Bathrooms benefit from extra towel bars, hooks, curtain rods, and shelves to improve storage.

If you do want to replace some cabinets, focus on visible areas like the kitchen island or bathroom vanities to limit costs. New paint or re-staining can also make existing cabinets feel upgraded. Shop sales and budget outlet stores for the best deals.

3. Don’t Neglect Necessary Bathroom Upgrades

It’s easy to overlook critical bathroom maintenance when doing home improvements. But don’t wait until something breaks to replace essential items near the end of their lifespan. By being proactive, you can avoid water damage headaches down the road.

Some upgrades that sound mundane but should be high on your list include: replacing an outdated bathroom vent fan, repairing any leaky faucets, upgrading toilets and faucets to improve water pressure, and regrouting stained shower stalls.

These basic improvements pay dividends when it comes time to sell your house. Little fixes like caulking around sinks and tubs also prevent moisture issues. The rule of thumb is to invest enough to keep all bathrooms feeling updated. Potential buyers focus heavily on bathrooms when house shopping.

4. Enhance Curb Appeal Without Major Overhauls

You may not have the budget for major exterior renovation projects right now. But that doesn’t mean you can’t improve your home’s curb appeal on a limited budget! Even subtle touches like house numbers, decorative exterior lighting, or potted plants make an impact.

Some easy ways to upgrade curb appeal include:

  • Installing new modern exterior light fixtures
  • Painting or staining your front door with a striking color
  • Adding stylish house numbers and mailbox décor
  • Extending existing crown molding to the front-facing gables
  • Planting colorful low-maintenance bushes and plants
  • Installing a new welcome mat for the entryway
  • Upgrading exterior handles and knobs in chrome or bronze

For more significant but budget-friendly upgrades: consider replacing an old garage door, yard landscaping features like garden beds or path edging, and pressure washing dirty exterior surfaces. Curb appeal projects bring excellent return on investment when it comes time to sell your house.

5. Open up Cramped Closet Spaces

Having adequate and functional storage space makes a home infinitely more enjoyable day-to-day. And open spacious closets are a big perk for potential homebuyers as well. But closet remodels quickly become expensive. Here are a few budget-friendly ways to upgrade cramped closets:

Install closet organization systems

Shelving, racks, bins, and drawers specially designed to maximize closet space are fairly affordable and easy to install yourself. This route makes existing storage space way more usable.

Swap doors for curtains

Trading out swinging doors for cloth curtains can visually open up a small closet. Make sure to install a tension curtain rod for a polished look.

Repurpose furniture

Sometimes a narrow hallway or small room can double as a closet or pantry. Repurposing old furniture like cabinet sets, hutches, or wardrobes offers creative storage solutions.

Add custom shelving

One of the easiest ways to optimize wasted wall space is by installing custom shelves and stacked storage cubbies. Focus on dead space above shorter hanging clothes or shoes.

With some simple upgrades and DIY projects, you can double your functional storage and prevent closets from feeling cramped.

6. Wow with Creative Crown Moldings

You don’t have to break the bank to add stylish crown moldings that elevate your home’s interior design. Basic crown molding made of inexpensive foam is relatively affordable. Yet it dramatically enhances the home’s style when installed.

Focus on showcasing crown molding in your main living spaces first, instead of the entire home. Work in sections as your budget allows over time. The entry room, dining room, and primary bedroom suite deliver the biggest bang for your buck on crown molding projects.

If budgets are super tight, get creative with trim details. Add thick picture frame trim molding around the ceiling line in important rooms. Use decorative embossed panels or wallpaper on the ceiling to mimic luxurious molding details. Paint the trim embellishments in an accent color for extra pop.

7. Do a Deep Clean from Top to Bottom

Want to instantly make your house feel cleaner, newer, and well-maintained without remodeling anything? Do a deep thorough clean from top to bottom! This should be step number one before tackling any big home improvement or renovation projects.

Deep cleaning makes homes shine and ensures surfaces look their best before updating fixtures, hardware, appliances, floors, and walls. A sparkling clean house also shows fewer flaws or distracting dirt when you sell. Here is a checklist of areas to deep clean:

  • Wash walls, floors, windows
  • Scour kitchen and bathrooms
  • Dust light fixtures and ceiling fans
  • Clean out cabinets, drawers, closets
  • Replace worn-out caulking and grout
  • Upgrade HVAC air filters
  • Detail clean exterior finishes
  • Power wash outdoor living areas
  • Remove clutter stored in garage & sheds

Don’t forget about water filtration systems too. Replacing water filters ensures your house water lines stay scale and contaminant-free.

8. Carefully Plan and Stage Future Renovation Projects

Are you dreaming of tackling a major kitchen remodel, master suite addition, or basement finishing project in the near future? Fantastic! Having a plan helps ensure you complete future renovations efficiently and cost-effectively.

According to Angi, the current average bathroom remodel runs $10,000+ and significant kitchen overhauls start around $60k.

Here are some things you can start doing now while saving up for big remodeling projects:

  • Research design ideas and create a style wish list
  • Interview potential contractors or companies
  • Determine rough budget estimates for materials and professional work
  • Outline what areas of the renovation you can DIY
  • Start stockpiling discounted materials when they go on sale
  • Sketch out potential room layouts and floorplan changes

Plannead also ensures you don’t start cutting corners or feeling overwhelmed halfway into a major renovation. Record inspiration photos, product links, receipts for purchase deals, contractor bids, and project notes all in one place.

DIY upgrades

When tackling DIY home upgrades in the meantime, focus on areas not getting renovated down the road. Pay attention to project order too. For example, don’t install new floors right before a kitchen remodel. Carefully staging home improvement projects maximizes investments and minimizes wasted time and money.

9. Don’t Forget About the Standout Details

It’s easy to overlook the power of all those standout detail finishes that personalize a home and make spaces feel special. Especially when tackling several larger-scale improvement projects or room makeovers. But investing just a little extra time and money into the specialty details takes rooms from boring to spectacular.

Some detailed ideas to sprinkle throughout home improvement and design plans include:

  • Showstopping light fixtures or dazzling ceiling fans
  • Incorporating shiplap or textured wall accents
  • Adding wainscoting panels for visual interest
  • Displaying collections in floating shelves or shadowboxes
  • Upgrading door handles and bath hardware
  • Including electronic features like smart lights or built-in speakers
  • Personalizing with monogrammed bedroom linens or family photos
  • Showcasing sentimental travel souvenirs or hobbies

Don’t spread yourself too thin by going overboard on specialty details before finishing necessities. But try to incorporate one or two distinctive details per room. This helps upgrade projects feel bespoke.

10. Invest in Long-Lasting Replacements

It’s tempting to sometimes take the cheapest route when replacing worn-out items like garage door openers or broken appliances when money feels tight. But buying ultra-discount fixtures, finishing, and features often costs more money over the appliance’s lifetime.

Aim for durable mid-range quality and efficiency whenever possible, especially for permanent things like:

  • Windows
  • Outdoor siding
  • Roofing
  • External doors
  • Flooring
  • Furnaces
  • Water heaters
  • Garage door openers
  • Ceiling fans
  • Permanent lighting fixtures

The sweet spot is models may be one tier down from top-of-the-line luxury. This ensures replacements should last 15-20 years with proper care and maintenance. Check consumer testing ratings and warranties when comparison shopping. Stretching budgets too thin on home improvements often backfires long-term.

Bonus: Refresh While Waiting to Renovate

Do you have a few outdated rooms you hope to fully remodel someday when budgets allow? Waiting years between refresh projects makes homes feel stale. Here are some quick affordable updates to tide things over before major renovation projects.

Kitchen

  • Add a fresh coat of paint
  • Update cabinet hardware
  • Install new faucets and sink accessories
  • Replace worn-out countertop appliances
  • Upgrade outdated light fixtures
  • Bleach grout and caulk sinks/backsplashes

Bathrooms

  • Replace showerheads and faucets
  • Install new curtains and accessories
  • Update surfaces with waterproof vinyl decals
  • Repair cracked or stained sinks
  • Regrout and recaulk sinks and tubs
  • Freshen up walls with paint or removable wallpaper

Bedrooms

  • Update window treatments
  • Install new ceiling light fixtures
  • Replace old outlets and wall switch plates
  • Freshen up walls by painting or adding accent walls
  • Replace bedroom and closet doors

FAQs

What are some cheap home improvement projects I can do to upgrade my house?

Some budget-friendly improvements include painting walls or cabinets, installing new lighting fixtures, resurfacing floors, replacing hardware, adding molding, upgrading landscaping, and enhancing curb appeal details.

How much does it cost to add crown molding?

The cost to install crown molding ranges from $4-8 per linear foot. Opt for foam over wood to save money. Focus on highlight spaces rather than the entire home.

What is the easiest way to upgrade my home’s curb appeal?

Low-cost curb appeal upgrades include painting the front door an accent color, installing new modern exterior lighting, planting low-maintenance bushes and flowers, and adding stylish house numbers or mailbox décor.

Should I tackle a kitchen remodel myself to save money?

Only take on what you can handle. Consider painting cabinets, adding new hardware, installing organizing inserts inside cabinets, replacing worn countertop appliances, and upgrading backsplash as budget-friendly DIY projects.

Is it worth it to replace old floors?

Not always! Consider less expensive options like sanding and refinishing existing wood floors or staining concrete floors before undergoing the expense of full replacement. Adding stylish affordable rugs over worn carpeting also refreshes a room.

How much value does a minor bathroom remodel add?

A minor bathroom update with new paint, fixtures, vanity, sinks, toilets, and lighting can add $1,000-$4,000 in home value depending on scope according to real estate sites like Zillow.

What small upgrades should I do to prepare my house for selling?

Some small yet high-impact home improvements to tackle before listing your home include painting walls in neutral colors, enhancing curb appeal by upgrading exterior fixtures and landscaping, deep-cleaning from top to bottom, and adding new hardware and accent details in kitchens and bathrooms.

Conclusion

Improving your home doesn’t have to drain your savings account. With some strategic planning and elbow grease, you can elevate the comfort and style of your house on a modest budget. Focus first on high-impact projects that provide excellent return on investment like curb appeal updates, opening up cramped spaces, replacing worn floors and surfaces, enhancing storage with organizational systems, and refreshing overlooked rooms with new paint and fixtures.

The goal is to balance necessity with affordability. Prioritize fixes that extend the lifespan of permanent items like roofing, siding, HVAC systems, appliances, doors, and windows to avoid repairs down the road. Splurge on a few statement details like eye-catching light fixtures, hardware, or ceiling trim treatments per room to give upgrades a custom feel. Stretch budgets further by doing prep work yourself and then outsourcing specialized installation. Remember, even minor home improvements make everyday life at home more enjoyable and prepare houses to sell quickly when the time comes. Investing in your dwelling now wins big in the long run.