Trevor and I are definitely looking forward to owning our own home! And of course, we want to put our own touch on everything but have to watch our pennies... so what's a homeowner to do? This post, by Tali Wee of Zillow definitely helps the budget conscious {read: US!} person decide on the updates to take care of first.
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Professional interior redesigns are often costly for
homeowners, which deters them from making upgrades. However, there are some simple
improvements that homeowners can make – without breaking their budgets – to transform
spaces.
Here are five easy and economical ways to renovate home interiors
for a more homey feeling or to stage a house to attract potential home buyers.
1. Choose a New Color Palette
Painting is a less obvious, yet extremely affordable,
choice to upgrade a living space. Upgrading wall color can give interiors a
whole new feel while covering general wear and tear. Most importantly, painting
is an easy do-it-yourself (DIY) project. Make sure to prepare surfaces by
cleaning thoroughly and protecting areas that aren’t being painted with tarps
and tape.
2.
Reconsider Lighting
Recessed lighting gives a home a modern and
expensive look. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, this option brightens
up a room without being intrusive on the open living space. Recessed lights are
fairly easy to install, but make sure to shut the power off before beginning
any project that requires contact with electricity. Already have recessed
lighting but a room is still feeling drab? Update lamps, shades and chandeliers
for a new and refreshing décor.
3.
Update Fixtures
Dated door handles and light switch plates
are easy and inexpensive to change. If classic is more the style of the room,
head over to the nearest antique shop. Resale stores often have vintage
fixtures from historic homes. If the space has more of a contemporary vibe, home
improvement stores offer an array of modern, low-cost fixtures. Check out home interior images to get inspired by a
plethora of options.
4.
Install Crown Molding
Molding instantly adds character to a room
and isn’t as complicated to mount as it may seem. This adornment takes a room from
ordinary to distinctive without the added expense. A tricky part to DIY molding,
however, is cutting corners so the pieces match up correctly and look
professional. An easy alternative is to use corner blocks, which are pieces of decorative
wood that fill the corner and join two pieces of molding together without
requiring exact corner angles to be cut into the molding; corner blocks save
time and prevent unsightly misaligned molding.
5.
Accessorize
Sometimes just adding a few extra throw
pillows or a new area rug can change the atmosphere of a room. These simple
additions can alter the entire mood of a room, but are simple to replace as
style preferences change. Decorating on a budget is especially easy with a sewing
machine. Buy fabric and recover existing pillows or sew new window treatments
to tie new flair into a living space. Garage sales are a great resource for
uncovering unique pieces that add distinctive style to an otherwise bland room.
Not everyone can afford to splurge on a professional
interior designer or renovate an entire home. However, stylish upgrades are
feasible. With a little creativity and some home improvement tools, a drab space
can appear like a custom, designer home. Whether looking to appeal to house
hunters or simply in need of a change, use these five tips to conduct a
cost-effective makeover.
What are your favorite cost effective updates you've done in your own home? I need all the help and ideas I can get! Link me to your posts, your Pinterest, your photos, and more!
check this out!