How to Improve Your Home on a Budget

It’s easy to believe that updating and improving our homes can only be achieved with significant financial expense, but this isn’t always the case.

There are many quick, inexpensive fixes that can give any property a new lease on life. If you’re considering updating or modernising your home but you’re on a tight budget, continue reading for our top affordable home modernisation suggestions.

Think about first impressions

First impressions are important and taking pride in the outside of your home is just as important as the inside. There are ways that you can improve the curb appeal of your home on a budget. 

A new door. Repainting your front door will instantly enhance aesthetic appeal; choose stylish yet traditional colours like soft grey and pastel duck egg greens and blues.

Hire or purchase a pressure washer to remove dirt from the exterior of your home. Even if it does not look especially dirty, this is a cheap yet useful way to make your house look as good as new. Pressure washers can also be used to clean roads or patios.

Start gardening! Potted plants may add a touch of beauty and greenery to your doorstep, and are reasonably priced. If you want to make a somewhat larger investment, plant some young shrubs in your lawn or go with flowering plants to really make your house stand out. 

Improve your pathway with tiles. Although stone tiles are an excellent upgrade from concrete pavers, the price could be far outside your budget. Instead, you can lay slate tiles to cover the concrete for considerably less money.

Improving the kitchen

Kitchens are often thought of as the heart of many homes, so it is important that you take care to balance style with function when considering any home improvements. 

Add a new splash of paint. One of the most affordable ways to give your house a significant makeover is to repaint. If you feel confident doing so, you can even save costs on hiring a professional painter by doing it yourself. But keep in mind that a uniform finish can only be achieved through preparation, patience, and the proper method of application. Choose neutral colours when painting your kitchen if you intend to sell your house in the near future. Otherwise, go with the colour that you personally find most appealing; after all, it’s your house!

Replace the doors on aged cabinets. Usually, refacing your cabinets will cost more than just painting them. However, it is significantly less expensive than removing them completely and installing new ones. Just install new doors to hide the age of your cupboards, or to develop a new style.

Organise your kitchen efficiently. Sometimes, adding space to your kitchen doesn’t require you to knock down walls or take other drastic steps. For instance, installing a pot and pan rack that hangs from the ceiling can free up storage space. This not only helps you to store more items in your kitchen, but also appeals to potential homebuyers.

Improve lighting and replace any outdated lighting fixtures. Better lighting is generally a good investment when redesigning any space, but it is especially important in the kitchen. If at all feasible, adjust your overhead lighting so that it shines on the areas where you generally cook and prepare your food. Cordless lighting can make home renovations easier and prevent any problems that might be caused by drilling into old plasterwork.

Improve the appearance of your backsplash. Upgrading your backsplash is one of the most cost-effective methods to brighten up your kitchen. Additionally, there are plenty of low-cost design options available, including peel-and-stick imitation tiles and ornamental vinyl.

Give your living room a new lease on life 

The living room is where you relax and kick back at the end of the day, so it is important that this room feels cosy and comfortable. 

Design your own wall art. Even if you have no artistic ability, you can create your own gallery to save money rather than shelling out on original pieces. By framing pieces of coloured card or paper that are colour-coordinated to match your living room design, you can create a colour grid. Use front-loading album frames or basic square-shaped picture frames to keep costs down, and arrange the layout in a square or rectangular grid above your sofa or a cabinet in the living area. For a bolder appearance, try framing fabric leftovers in contrasting colours or patterns, or painting your own papers with paint from sample pots.

 Cover up an old settee with faux furs. The atmosphere in any living room can be spoiled by a worn-out or shabby-looking settee, but it is simple and inexpensive to address the problem. Investing in a few new throws or fleeces, and taking the time to arrange them on the sofa properly, can save you a considerable amount of money compared with replacing, repairing or purchasing new covers for your settee. However, bear in mind that a single, extra-large throw is a definite no-no that will not improve the look of your living area. Consider covering the sofa with a variety of throws and pillows in tonal hues and patterns that match the colour of your settee for a more refined appearance.

Use plants to decorate. Plants are a colourful, affordable way to bring life into your living space, and studies have shown that they are also beneficial to our physical and emotional health. Place them on shelves, in the corner, next to the sofa, or on a cabinet. If you have any remaining budget, combine fake plants with fake ones as they are cheaper and add to them to continue growing your collection.

A place to rest your head

While we might not spend a whole lot of time awake in our bedrooms, they still deserve some love and attention. Creating a nice space for yourself in your bedroom can often help you feel calmer and more relaxed. 

Upgrade your hardware. Think of hardware like jewellery for your bedroom. A new set of knobs or pulls on your nightstands or dresser, for example, can revitalise the entire space in the same way that a large pair of earrings or a statement necklace can liven up a simple outfit. You can give your room a touch of opulence by swapping out basic hardware with something a little more aesthetically pleasing, such as copper handles, crystal knobs, or anything else that fits your desired look.

Upgrade your pillows. Bring that hotel room look into your home with plump, overstuffed pillows that provide a sense of luxury. Find pillows that are as thick and fluffy as you can when it is time to replace your current ones. Hotels typically provide two pillows per person, and this is reasonable for your bedroom at home, too; you do not need to go overboard.

Style your nightstand. Keep your nightstand from looking like a junk drawer that is on display. Clear items like hand creams and dogeared paperbacks off its surface and regularly empty your water glasses. Make a serious effort to style your nightstand if you want to give your room a more opulent feel. Pick a pretty lamp, place a plant there, and consider hanging something modest above the table if the wall is bare.

Shop now 

If you are looking to improve your home on a budget, Linens Limited has a wide range of affordable products, from new bedding and throws, to stylish wallpaper and kitchenware. Take a look at our range here

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