Is there something about your home that you wish you could improve, but feel you can’t afford it? Thankfully, there are plenty of affordable home upgrades that won't drain your bank account! It's more than possible to improve your home through inexpensive DIY solutions.
We’re sharing 15 of our favorite effective and affordable home improvement ideas. Let’s get to it!
15 Home Improvement Ideas on a Budget
1. Boost Kitchen Storage
Are you frustrated by having to ferret around in drawers and cabinets trying to find a cooking utensil or the right-sized container for leftovers? There are many inexpensive, creative ideas to make the most of the storage space (and wall space) in your kitchen, from freestanding shelves to a pegboard with hooks. See Better Homes & Gardens' kitchen storage ideas for decluttering on a budget.
2. Creative Paint Updates
Fresh paint is one of the most effective home improvement ideas. Can't afford new furniture? Try painting it! You can transform an old table or chair by painting it a vibrant color. Repainting walls a different color has the power to transform an entire room. To help you choose the perfect color, learn about the psychology of various room colors.
3. Restore or Protect the Shine of Wood Floors
Wood floors are beautiful and highly desirable among many homeowners. However, they can be difficult to maintain, especially if you have kids or pets, but with the right equipment, you can have them sparkling like new. To deep-clean older wood floors, use water and vinegar. To protect new hardwood floors from damage, check out our floor cleaning tips.
4. Add Area Rugs
Would you like a cozy rug in your living room, but want to avoid expensive wall-to-wall carpeting? Try an area rug! There are many kinds available at a reasonable cost, and they can add color to a room while making the space warmer in the winter. Area rugs are also great for protecting floors in high-traffic areas of your home.
5. Personalize Your Bathroom Cabinets
If you're bored with your bathroom cabinets, there are many DIY plans for either creating the perfect bathroom storage from simple materials or repurposing an old nightstand. Additional ideas to spice up your bathroom cabinets include staining or painting your bathroom vanity to match other décor, adding new hardware to vanity drawers and cabinets, or updating cabinet doors with cane webbing panel.
6. Organize the Entryway
Foyers, while small, are an important part of a home. For guests, entryways provide first impressions. For you, it’s the place to find and store items like coats, umbrellas, and the occasional muddy boots. Thus, it’s crucial to organize and style a foyer, so that comings and goings and greetings are welcoming and hassle-free. A shoe rack, coat hanger, storage shelves, or a bench with built-in cubbies are all great options for elevating your home’s entryway.
7. Illuminate with Style
Are you living with light fixtures from the 1950s or squinting in poor lighting to prepare meals? To see your home in the best light, you may need new lighting. Whether you choose ambient, task, or accent lighting, upgrading your lights is an inexpensive way to modernize and enhance your home. Learn about effective home lighting solutions today.
8. Declutter Your Closet
Beyond making it impossible to find things, a cluttered closet may be hiding cash you could use for home improvements or a much-deserved vacation. Declutter your closet for a cleaner environment, better organization, and potentially, money that can be made with a garage sale of stuff you no longer need.
9. Upgrade Home Appliances
While a new refrigerator or oven is not cheap among other home upgrades, buying a new appliance is less expensive than a full kitchen remodeling project, which can cost thousands, upon thousands of dollars. Plus, new appliances can increase the value of your home. You can always start small i.e. a microwave or a range hood and work up to larger appliances.
10. Green Touch with Indoor Plants
If you're looking for cheap home improvements, indoor plants are your best friend. They can transform your home into a beautiful green space no matter the time of year. Some, like spider plants, peace lilies, and ferns, can even help purify the air and boost oxygen levels. You can breathe easy knowing your air is clean and you didn’t break the bank.
11. Utilize Window Treatments Like Curtains
A great way to control the lighting in your home, especially during the day, is to add drapes or curtains. Try out sheer curtains in the living room and heavy drapes in bedrooms, or vice versa depending on your preferences. If you don’t want to buy premade drapes, you can choose your own base fabric and select a matching rod. Additionally, if you want to get creative, you can iron some pleats into certain fabrics to achieve a unique style.
12. Install a Programmable Thermostat
Having a programmable thermostat in your home can be a game-changer in terms of energy efficiency, comfort, and convenience. Turn off the heat and/or cooling automatically when no one's home and turn it up before you get back. If you're a Century Communities homeowner, our Century Connect Smart Home Package® is included in many of our new homes.
13. Add an Entertainment Hub
Adding a home entertainment hub doesn't have to be expensive. Use empty wall space to add repurposed old furniture found at a garage sale or flea market and install a big screen TV on the wall. Or, turn an old dining room hutch or China cabinet into a modern home entertainment center.
14. Incorporate Window Boxes
Window boxes with floral arrangements can add massive curb appeal to a home while giving it a cozy, beautiful appearance. This is one of those easy home improvements that can boost resale value when you’re ready to make your next move. For a great and inexpensive DIY project, you can even build flower boxes out of just a few materials found at your local hardware store.
15. Use Picture Frames to Accent Wall Décor
Here’s a neat trick that you can do for many wall features. Take a wooden picture frame, paint it the same color as your wall, and place it around light switches and mirrors. This affordable DIY moulding adds a touch of elegance to spaces like bathrooms and living rooms.
Affordable Home Upgrades: Improving Your Home Is Easier Than You Think
From sprucing up your foyer to upgrading your lighting, there are many simple and affordable home upgrades that won't break the bank. With a DIY can-do spirit and a little creativity, you can make your home work better for you and beautify your surroundings at the same time. But be warned, you might find that once you start improving your home, you can’t stop!