Most first time home buyers settle for a house that may need some work to make it home. But a home makeover doesn’t have to be an expensive endeavour. Most buyers spend their money on a significant portion of their down payment, with not much left over for repairs. Here are a few home makeover ideas that won’t break the bank.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting is the best home makeover project that you can tackle to make your new home feel like your space. It’s a total do-it-yourself project that can help you take pride in a job well done. The colour scheme you choose should reflect your desire for the room. A good rule of thumb to follow here is more lively colours in the kitchen and living areas, while relaxed cool colours serve well in the bedroom. Even if your house doesn’t have access to tons of natural light, bright colours can help open a room significantly.
Don’t forget your baseboards, either! Painting them can be a pain, but it will add to the contrast of the room. If you do plan on painting your home, try to do it before you move everything in. It will be much easier than moving everything around once you’re settled.
Light Fixtures
Most buyers live with the light fixtures and fans that are in a house when they buy it. If your house was built in the 1950s, you’ve got some seriously old hardware on your hands. Consider updating these two areas around your home for a few hundred pounds. You will need to be familiar with a simple bit of electrical work to hang new fans and lights. YouTube is an excellent resource for teaching yourself this skill, but you can hire an electrician. Changing these fixtures will change the entire look and feel of your home.
Door Hardware
Door hardware is another often overlooked aesthetic makeover that is definitely on the affordable list. Changing door hardware, doors, and even door jambs can drastically change the look of your house. What’s more, if you have a multi-story home, compact home lifts can match this style when installed. Consider updating the handles on kitchen and bathroom cabinets to match the door hardware throughout your home. Changing an outside-facing door can also change the curb appearance. Many people opt for a brightly coloured door to draw attention to the entrance, but the style is up to you.
Landscaping
Depending on how much of the work you do yourself, landscaping can be an affordable way to update the outside of your home. Sodding the yard, mulching, and redefining flower beds are all well within your capabilities as a homeowner. The best part of landscaping is that it can be done in stages. Even if you have big plans for what you want your yard to look like when finished, it can be executed in stages. This also helps offset the cost of reaching the final project. Hiring a team of landscapers to help your ideas come to life can be cost-effective too.
