A lot of the time, remodeling is pushed to the bottom of the list of things to do because it is considered a financial challenge. You don’t have to break the bank to remodel your home. Whether you’re remodeling your new house simply to make it look better and more modern or you want to make it more sellable, you can do it on a budget with these simple, cheap remodeling ideas.
Before you debate further, remember that the benefits of remodeling are not limited to having a better-looking home. Remodeling can also:
- Make your house more comfortable to live in.
- Increase the value of your property.
- Reduce utility and maintenance costs.
- Reduce safety hazards, especially in old homes, from old and worn-out structures.
- Allow you to customize your space to fit your lifestyle changes.
It is important to do three things, however, before you get into your remodeling plans.
- Remove the Clutter
The first thing you want to do is sort through the things you have, especially if you have had them for a while. It would help to know what needs to go, what needs to be replaced, and so on. Sometimes, you only need to move some things out of the way or rearrange them to make a room more functional, which can be hard if you’re trying to remodel after you’ve already moved in. It’s almost like taking inventory and this only costs you time and energy and makes the actual remodeling process much easier. - Explore Your Options
Knowing what your space can offer is important. True, there are some agencies that not only move you but help you set up. Agencies such as Movecorp in the UK, Ausmove in Australia, and A Smooth Move in the US offer such services. However, there’s so much a moving agency can do for you and you’ll still need to do a bit of work yourself to get it to where you want it to be. You need to add a personal touch to it. You can decide on having open floors, expansions, and more. Every room in your house may require different levels of remodeling and factoring all of that it will give you an overview of different ways to go about remodeling. - Do Make a Price List
When you have an idea of what you want, you can make a list of everything, from your small repairs to things you would like to replace. Bring in experts where necessary. Having an estimate will guide your budget if you have one. You can check out shops and do price comparisons, slash prices where necessary and cross out anything in your list that would probably add very little value.
Here are 5 tips on getting your house to your comfort level without spending too much.
1. Milestone Changes
What changes would make the most difference? What would definitely make your house look better? Starting with high-impact steps is often a great idea. Things like fresh coats of paint, some lighting enhancements, changes to the flooring and so on.
These changes are not necessarily expensive, and they can make your house look brighter and warmer. Old paint, for instance, tends to look dull, which can definitely make everything else look dull too. The good thing is there are usually solid alternatives. Hardwood floors, for instance, look great and hardly go out of style but may be expensive. Laminate can give you a similar look at a lower price.
2. Do It Yourself (DIY)
If you have the right skills, the do-it-yourself route might be a viable option. You could carry out small repairs, updates or additions. If something you can do, such as building an outside patio or deck or creating a home office will cost more, then you can cut down on cost by having a go at it. You can also consult articles online or find do-it-yourself information to help you start.
Don’t attempt, however, to do renovations that are sensitive or could cost more to fix if they go wrong. Renovations that involve electrical work, gas work or even breaking down walls are best left to experts. In fact, if you’re not sure what to do, consult an expert.
3. Small Changes
Often, small changes can make a huge difference. You could do property refurbishment instead of replacements, change the curtains, change the cabinet hardware, change a rug, or put in a new accessory.
Sometimes, all you need to do is replace hardware and fixtures. Simply replacing outdated faucets, lighting, and door knobs can give your house a modern look in no time. So can little repairs such as torn screen doors, or windows that don’t shut properly. Even if you’re planning to sell, changes and repairs of this nature will definitely cost little.
4. Second-hand or Refurbished Items
A lot of Habitat for Humanity Restores sell new and slightly used items like furniture, appliances, accessories, and even building materials at low prices in comparison to regular retail prices. Sometimes, old-fashioned homes even need items like these that would fit right in and not stick out like a sore thumb. Whatever the case, you’ll be getting a really good bargain.
5. Kitchen and Bathroom Renovations
Whether you plan to stay in your house or sell, paying attention to the kitchen and bathrooms is always top of the list. You can paint your kitchen walls and cabinets, put in modern light fixtures and faucets, change your countertops if needed, and replace Formica with granite or quartz.
There are a lot of options to pick from for bathrooms as well. Bathtubs can be replaced or removed entirely in some cases and replaced with walk-in showers with contemporary features like multiple shower heads and beautiful tile designs.
Conclusion
Remodeling can be a lot of work and, for cost saving, you need to be more creative. Sometimes what you need may already be in your house and you can just repurpose it for a different function.
Remember to ask questions whenever you’re unsure of what to do and take advantage of books, magazines, and online resources to find ideas and inspiration. Best of all, enjoy the process!
