Spring is on its way and with warmer weather on its way, most of us probably can’t wait to get outside! After spending so many months inside you might be itching to finally remodel the kitchen or tear out that ugly carpet. But home improvements aren’t cheap. If a big over-haul isn’t in your budget, there are many simple, cheap ways to spruce up your home. We’ve compiled a list of 10 inexpensive updates for your home.
Paint
Nothing brightens up a room like a new coat of paint. It is relatively inexpensive but has a dramatic impact. Before you pick colors ask for paint samples and see how the paint looks on the walls before you make a choice.
If you’re looking for an even more dramatic fix with paint, considering painting cabinets. Replacing old cabinets in your kitchen is expensive. If it’s not in your budget, repainting them gives new life to your kitchen and can make old cabinets look new again. There are plenty of tutorials online and representatives at your hardware store can also point you to the right products. Websites such as thisoldhouse.com and diynetwork.com have step by step instructions for painting cabinets.
Change hardware
Changing the hardware on your kitchen or bath room cabinets can have a big impact on the way the room feels. It’s an easy way to modernize a space.
Get organized
Clutter is distracting and not very pleasant to look at. It seems to pile up particularly high wherever you drop mail and other paperwork you can’t throw away. Creating a “mini office” space, or “family command center” not only helps keep you organized but also looks much better than a pile of mail sitting on the counter. By purchasing inexpensive office supplies you can keep your whole family organized and your countertops clear. Here are a couple examples of home command centers:
(Source: My Life’s a Treasure)
(Source: Achieving Creative Order)
Curb Appeal
The outside of your home is the first thing people see. Painting your front door a bright color, planting colorful flowers, or adding small touches like statues or garden signs are easy ways to liven up the outside of your home.
The details
Sometimes the small items have a large impact on how a room feels. Replace old throw pillows, rugs, and curtains with news ones that are bright and introduce different patterns into the room. Check out discount decorating outlets for inexpensive items.
Light fixtures
You can purchase new light fixtures for under $100 and they can totally change the feel of a room, especially bathrooms and other small spaces. There are also discount lighting stores online and you can check out the clearance sections of your hardware store for inexpensive pieces. In addition, under-the-counter lighting adds a touch of drama to your kitchen.
Function doesn’t have to be ugly
Updating faucets in your kitchen and bathroom can modernize the space. If your appliances are also in need of a facelift but you can’t afford to purchase new ones, contact the manufacturer of your existing items and see if you can purchase just the front panels for the piece. They will look new again!
Add plants
Indoor plants are an easy way to add texture, color, and a cozy feeling to your home. They also help improve indoor air. Some plants that do well inside are spider plants, snake plants, and Chinese evergreens.
Create a gallery wall
If you have a large, blank wall it can be difficult to figure out how to fill it without spending a fortune on large pieces. Creating a gallery wall is not only a great way to fill a large space, but will also allow you to show off your favorite pictures or art pieces.
(Source: My House, My Home)
(Source: Swenson Style)
Here is a great link with tips for planning your gallery wall from Ruby reDesign.
Finally, building some simple shelves allows you to create the look of a gallery wall but provides the freedom to change pictures and frames frequently without putting a ton of holes in your walls. This is a great option for a large wall over a couch!
Use what you have
If you don’t want to spend any money at all, you may be surprised at home simple it is to create a new, refreshing look in your home. By moving around furniture, art, pillows, rugs, and vases, you can change the feel of multiple rooms in your home without spending a dime!