Have you been contemplating what small upgrades to make a big difference to your homes overall feel and need it to be Budget Friendly? Here is our Guide for Essential and Affordable Upgrades.
Welcome to our guide on meaningful home upgrades! When you’re looking to upgrade the home, it’s important that you don’t focus entirely on the ways you can improve the exterior. The interior is where you do most of your living, after all. However, if improving your quality of life is your main motivation, which changes are going to actually make the biggest difference?
If you’re looking to refresh your living space without a complete overhaul, you’ve come to the right place. We’ve gathered 13 simple yet impactful tips to help you enhance your home’s beauty and functionality. From boosting curb appeal to modernizing your kitchen, these easy-to-follow suggestions will make a big difference. Let’s get started and transform your house into the inviting home you’ve always dreamed of!
1. Focus on 1st Impressions
The feeling your guests get when walking through the front door of your home might not be the impression you’re aiming for. When creating that initial impression, ask yourself these questions:
– What kind of experience do I want my guests to have?
– What atmosphere do I want to create immediately?
– What mood do I want my guests to feel even before they ring the doorbell?
But guess what? First impressions start before your guests even walk in the door. They begin outside your home, starting with the curb appeal, the exterior color and texture, and the state of the landscaping. Even your address makes an impression and just a Simple layered entry mat.
Image: Karianne Wood (Thistlewood Farm Blog)
2. Simple Kitchen Renovations
A kitchen renovation is one of the most impactful upgrades you can make to your home. The kitchen is often considered the heart of the home, a space where families gather, cook, and entertain. Upgrading this area can significantly enhance its functionality, aesthetics, and value. Modernizing appliances, adding custom cabinetry, installing durable countertops, and incorporating a stylish backsplash can transform the kitchen into a more efficient and visually appealing space. Open layouts and kitchen islands are particularly popular, providing additional seating and workspace while fostering a more social environment. High-quality materials and finishes not only improve the kitchen’s appearance but also ensure longevity and ease of maintenance, making this renovation a worthwhile investment.
3. Paint Cabinets and Walls
It is no surprise that kitchens are often the most expensive room to renovate. I know that from firsthand experience. Even smaller projects can add up quickly. One easy way to brighten up your cooking area is to paint the existing cabinets. I painted mine well actually I had a painter who does kitchen cabinets paint them, she did a outstanding job. Opting to paint cabinets instead of replacing them all together will save you loads of time, money, and stress. This home hack isn’t exclusive to kitchens!
Similarly, one way to update a bathroom on a budget is to add fresh paint to bathroom vanities or shelving. My budget was tight when I first started, but I believe to be minor upgrades, leaving the bathroom, vanity and painting it, and adding new hardware made all the difference in the world. Best part it was an expensive and all I had to do was spend a little time and patience. The patient part I have a hard time with, <smiling>. I would recommend sticking to bright neutrals when painting. It sets the tone of tranquility, clean lines, and brightens the room. This applies to cabinets, walls, etc. So as much as you may love lime green accent walls or terra cotta rooms, they won’t help you achieve the home you’re hoping for. Ditching the color and embracing the neutrals will be an easy update without undergoing extensive and unnecessary updates.
4. Install A Kitchen Backsplash
A modern backsplash is an effortless way to update a kitchen on a budget. One of the most common trends is subway tile backsplash, which offers needed texture and color. There are dozens of types of tiles, from Moroccan-inspired pieces to surprising shapes, each offer a different flavor in your cooking space.
The best thing about tile is it’s not too hard to DIY! You can get the help of a contractor if you like, but a few YouTube videos may be all the training you need to add value to your home on a budget. And don’t forget about the grout! That’s an opportunity to play with contrast, color, and design that many homeowners overlook.
Examples:
Faux Brick
Faux brick (A faux brick backsplash is a budget-friendly and stylish option for your kitchen. Faux brick is often sold in 4 ft x 8 ft panels. I did a wall in my laundry room room in the previous home.
Subway Tiles
Subway tiles are made of porcelain, ceramic, or glass and are rectangular shaped. Tiles can be set in a wide range of eye-catching patterns. They come in a sort of colors as well. Easy to clean.
Peel-and-stick Tile Backsplash
Peel-and-stick backsplash materials are available in a wide array of designs that look similar to ceramic tile. Cut the material with scissors, peel off the backing, and carefully add it to the wall. A peel-and-stick backsplash is popular for its easy maintenance — just wipe it clean with a damp rag.
5. Easy Swap of the Hardware
Hardware is the jewelry of our home! Upgrading hardware in the kitchen and throughout the house is the most inexpensive update that is guaranteed to bring you many compliments. That was an additional change that I made in the previous home and it was relatively inexpensive. Maybe want to start small this is an area to begin. Today’s Hardware encompasses everything from drawer pulls in your kitchen to the door knob in your bedroom, hardware is, generally speaking, on the cheap side for home updates. But it can look really expensive if you do it right! They are very easy to install, if I can do it, you can do it!
NOTE:
When selecting new hardware, keep an eye out for brushed metal finishes that are trending now, like chrome or muted brass.
6. Deep Clean Your Grout
You would be surprised at how quickly grime can build up in the nooks of your tile floors, even with routine cleaning. Putting in the elbow grease to scrub down grout can make your floors look brand new without the high price tag or headache of installing new flooring. There is also a quick and almost permanent inexpensive alternative. This would be a grout pen that you can buy anywhere online. Amazon has them and they are truly inexpensive and save you time. Time which is priceless. Your tiles will look brand new without scrubbing tiles and use the GROUT PEN to paint and recolor your grout for a bright clean appearance
7. Bathroom Remodel
Bathroom remodeling is another upgrade that offers substantial benefits. Bathrooms are essential spaces that, when designed thoughtfully, can provide a sense of luxury and relaxation. Upgrading fixtures with the help of plumbers, such as faucets, shower heads, and toilets, to more water-efficient models can enhance functionality while reducing water consumption. Incorporating elements like a walk-in shower, a soaking tub, or heated flooring can add a touch of luxury. Improved lighting, adequate storage solutions, and stylish tile work can greatly enhance the bathroom’s ambiance and practicality. Given that bathrooms are high-traffic areas, choosing durable and easy-to-clean materials is crucial. A well-executed bathroom remodel can increase comfort and convenience, boosting both the home’s value and the quality of daily living.
8. Upgrade Light Fixtures
Aside from wood paneling and popcorn ceilings, old light fixtures are a sure-fire way to date your house. You can swap out antiquated lighting with something more sleek on a budget – only a couple hundred bucks (to make it look like a million bucks).
Light fixtures are also a great way to showcase home trends in your area. If modern homes are selling for more, then consider a minimalistic look when selecting fixtures. You could also lean into industrial, farmhouse, traditional, or something completely unexpected.
9. Removing A Wall
Sounds pretty scary I know, but I know many who had no knowledge of what it entailed was definitely a learning lesson. But it can be done. Knocking down a wall to create an open floor plan is a transformative upgrade that can modernize an older home. This modification opens up living spaces, allowing for better flow, increased natural light, and a more spacious feel. Open floor plans are highly desirable as they provide easier interaction and movement between different areas of your home, making spaces feel more connected and versatile. In my previous home, this was the first time I had ever experienced open floor plan, it was challenging at first. I loved it once I got used to it. You don’t miss a thing and neither do your guests. Here is the most important lesson you will need. Before undertaking this project, it’s essential to consult with a structural engineer to ensure that the wall isn’t load-bearing and to plan any necessary supports. The result is a more contemporary and flexible living space that can accommodate various activities and arrangements, enhancing both the aesthetic appeal and functionality of your home.
10. Remove or Replace Hardwood Flooring
Hardwood floors are loved for their longevity and durability, which often makes them look scuffed or dated from years of wear. Can you believe there were even decades in the not too distant past that people covered them up with tile,, carpet or vinyl? Yikes. These beauties are diamonds in the rough and with minimal investment you can maximize value on your home.
Instead of replacing it, refinishing your hardwood floors will give your room the sophisticated look. I believe in retaining all of our home’s original charm.
In the event, you do not have hardwood floors, but would like to look of it without the expense of installing new, consider using LVP (Luxury Vinyl Planks). With today’s technology, it is hard to determine that they are not real hardwood floors. They’re durable and in the event of any type of water damage, as I have lots of experience with, unfortunately, these are easy fixes and less costly.
11. Finishing Your Basement
Finishing your basement or loft is an upgrade that maximizes the usable space within your home, adding significant value and versatility. A finished basement can serve as a family room, home theater, gym, or guest suite, while a finished loft can be transformed into a home office, studio, or additional bedroom. This renovation involves insulating walls, installing flooring, adding proper lighting, and ensuring adequate ventilation and moisture control. It’s important to address any potential issues like dampness or low ceilings to create a comfortable and habitable space. By converting underutilized areas into functional living spaces, you effectively increase the square footage of your home without the need for an extension, making it an efficient and cost-effective way to enhance your living environment.
12. Power Washing Siding and Walkways
You never know the value of a power-washer until you’ve used one on your home. Simple things, like your walkway, would never be called a “focal point” of your yard. But after you power-wash it? It becomes the main attraction! The star! That’s because we can easily forget how dull things have actually gotten when we see them every day. It’s only when we give them a deep clean that we remember their fullest potential. (Yes, we are still talking about walkways.)
Replacing or painting siding can get pricey, fast. Brighten up your home – literally – by power-washing the exterior. Whether it’s brick, limestone, siding, or stucco… you will see an immediate transformation that will not let you down.
13. Attend to Unattended Maintenance
No matter how long you’ve been in your home, there are always those minor repairs that get pushed aside. Now’s the perfect time to tackle that closet door that’s been sticking for ages, the cracked basement window, or the peeling paint in the pantry. While these issues are easy to fix, leaving them unattended can lead to bigger problems down the road.
Conclusion
With these 13 meaningful upgrades, you can transform your home into a more inviting and functional space. Remember, even small changes can have a big impact. Take it one step at a time, and enjoy the process of making your home uniquely yours. Whether it’s refreshing your curb appeal or upgrading your lighting, each improvement brings you closer to your dream home. So, roll up your sleeves and start making those changes today. Your home deserves it, and so do you. Happy upgrading!
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