Thursday, November 16, 2017

10 Fast and Easy Budget-Friendly Home Improvements!

Your home should be just that - a home! Home design is a matter of taste and everyone's is unique. It takes a lot of vision to look past the plain or outdated finishes. But with a little creativity and elbow-grease, you can transform your space, even on a low budget! Whether you're trying to add your own touches to your new home or trying to make your current home more appealing to sell, you've come to the right place. Here are 10 easy and cost effective DIY tricks to make your house a home!

1. Faux Thick Baseboard - Molding and trim go a long way in making your home look and feel more expensive. But it IS expensive. Get this expensive look without the added cost! Simply add a slim piece of trim above your baseboards and then paint in between!

“40 Home Improvement Ideas for Those On A Serious Budget.” DIY Joy, 2017, diyjoy.com/diy-home-improvement-ideas-budget/7.

2. Update a Faucet - You can make a big splash in your kitchen or bathroom by swapping out an ugly faucet for something nicer on the eyes. This is one improvement that can be done in less than an hour!

Anderson, Kim. “Re-Styling Your Older Home Without Remodeling.” Thrify Little Mom, 24 June 2013, thriftylittlemom.com/2013/06/24/re-styling-your-older-home-without-remodeling/.

3. Paint Outdated Finishes - Anything is prettier than contractor's brass! Simply remove the hardware and clean it, then spray paint! You can use this trick with faucets and light fixtures, too!

Sarah. “How to Spray Paint Brass Door Knobs.” Thrifty Decor Chick, 29 Oct. 2013, www.thriftydecorchick.com/2013/10/spray-painting-door-knobs.html.

4. Add Framed Mirrors to Flat Doors - As basic as it sounds, this quick and easy project not only serves a purpose, but looks much nicer than the boring flat closet or bathroom doors. Be sure to paint the frame the same color as the door and caulk around the edges if you want it to look built in.

“26 Inexpensive DIY Upgrades That Will Add A Touch Of Class To Your Home.” Lighter Side of Real Estate, 8 Aug. 2017, lightersideofrealestate.com/around-the-home/home-improvement/26-inexpensive-diy-upgrades-that-will-add-a-touch-of-class-to-your-home?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=The%2BLighter%2BSide%2Bof%2BReal%2BEstate&utm_content=26%2BInexpensive%2BDIY%2BUpgrades%2BThat%2BWill%2BAdd%2BA%2BTouch%2BOf%2BClass%2BTo%2BYour%2BHome.

5. Make a Chalkboard Wall - Chalkboards are helpful in kitchens for making lists or leaving notes, in kids' rooms for playing, or in your entryway to decorate for a holiday party. You can purchase chalk paint at any home improvement store and in no time you'll have a fun accent wall for family and friends to make lists, leave messages, or just play around.

Duke, Kristen. “Kids Chalkboard Art Wall~How to Turn a Textured Wall into a Smooth Wall.”Capturing Joy with Kristen Duke, 10 Aug. 2013, www.kristendukephotography.com/kids-chalkboard-art-wall/.

6. Add Color to the Ceiling - Don't forget about the fifth wall - the ceiling! This is a fun way to add a pop of color. Throw in some decor to compliment your color of choice. Using an ultra flat paint is best to eliminate glares.

Erin. “Seek Interior Design.” House of Turquoise, Erin, 2 Oct. 2013, houseofturquoise.com/2013/10/seek-interior-design.html.

7. Add Trim to Your Windows - Adding trim and molding to anything can make it look upscale. Framing your plain windows quickly boosts your home decor. Even just adding a piece of molding to the top of the window can transform the room and hide the hardware.

“27 Easy DIY Remodeling Ideas On A Budget (before and after Photos).” Listotic, www.listotic.com/easy-remodeling-projects-that-will-completely-transform-your-home/7/.

8. Accent Wall - Think beyond just a different color paint. You can showcase a wall by using recycled wood, or even pallets. Finish off the wood with some stain, or leave it natural, and you have a beautiful rustic feeling accent wall.


“30 Inspiring Accent Wall Ideas To Change An Area.” ThefischerHouse, 8 Sept. 2017, thefischerhouse.net/accent-wall-ideas/.

9. DIY Wainscoting - Wainscoting is a terrific way to add character to your walls and it really is easier than it looks with this DIY trick. All you need are some boards and batten, prime and paint. It will add character and dimension to your plain walls.

“40 Home Improvement Ideas for Those On A Serious Budget.” DIY Joy, 2017, diyjoy.com/diy-home-improvement-ideas-budget/7.

10. Cabinet Top Makeover - Like we said before - adding trim and molding to anything can make it look upscale. If your kitchen cabinets don't reach the ceiling, this DIY is for you. Give your kitchen a face lift with this easy and cost effective trick.

“26 Inexpensive DIY Upgrades That Will Add A Touch Of Class To Your Home.” Lighter Side of Real Estate, 8 Aug. 2017, lightersideofrealestate.com/around-the-home/home-improvement/26-inexpensive-diy-upgrades-that-will-add-a-touch-of-class-to-your-home?utm_campaign=coschedule&utm_source=facebook_page&utm_medium=The%2BLighter%2BSide%2Bof%2BReal%2BEstate&utm_content=26%2BInexpensive%2BDIY%2BUpgrades%2BThat%2BWill%2BAdd%2BA%2BTouch%2BOf%2BClass%2BTo%2BYour%2BHome.

With these 10 fast, easy AND budget-friendly improvements, your home will look upscale at the right price! Stay tuned for even more DIY projects to make your house a HOME.