What's the cheapest way to add improvements to your home & its looks?
Related Discussions
Vinyl plank flooring vs pergo (laminate)
I currently have stinky dirty carpeting in my living room and I want to replace it with a durable flooring that can stand up to dogs and kids.
How to remove popcorn ceiling that has been painted?
Does having a paint over a popcorn ceiling change how I'd remove the popcorn ceiling?
How to apply peel and stick wallpaper?
I want to spruce up my walls with peel-and-stick wallpaper. Has anyone used this before and can advise me as to how to apply it properly?
How to stain wood floor?
I've heard staining is a good technique for updating floors. So how do I stain my wood floor?
1952 Cape Cod.
I need some advise on what I can do to improve the looks of my house. I need door, window and landscape suggestions. The house will remain white as I am on a budget. ... See more
How can I make this hidden door more hidden and less hideous?
I have a hidden door though it doesn't look so hidden at the moment and I like the appeal of a hidden door. We do need to use the door, but not often. This is in a b... See more
Adding plants can add a nice touch. I go to Goodwill and get ornate shelves and picture frames and then paint them and distress them to look nice on the wall. I have used old salsa jars and painted them with chalk paint and then make flowers out of tissue paper or egg cartons (you can google how to do those) to put in the jars. Scrapbook paper is often on sale at craft stores and that can be used to cover food jars and bottles with mod podge to make pretty vases.
What are you looking to enhance on your home? Paint, hardware, lighting and landscaping on the outside. Inside, paint, flooring, hardware.
For me, paint is always the cheapest way to make a big impact. A fresh new color scheme, or even just refreshing the old color will go a long way towards improving the home's appearance. Small details like throw pillows and rugs also make a nice impact without spending much money.
Clean, Glean, and Brighten.
If something is too old or worn out that it can't be cleaned even with elbow grease, then it should be discarded. This is next to free, only the time you put into the task. I have moved and sold homes many times, and nothing beats cleanliness, even if the materials are not high end.
Glean out any unused dust collecting items, junk, stinky clothing packed in closets, etc. etc. This is free except for the small amount of time that it takes you to donate or pitch out
Brighten with LED lights. If budget allows, I would recommend installing dimmer switches on all light switches that operate ceiling lights. The LED lightbulbs that are dimmable are often more expensive at the onset than non-dimmable bulbs, but they will last years and save electricity. They will instantly increase the value of your home, and offer much more variable lighting that can be altered according to the seasons, daylight, creating atmosphere in the home.
Also, I would also recommend installing timers on all bathroom fans. These too will instantly increase the value of your home. There are many different styles available, all of which can simply be swapped into the same wall space that a regular light switch goes into. Anyone who is handy with basic home DIY electrical jobs should be able to hook these up easily.
I agree paint is the cheapest way to add impact. A fresh coat if paint can change the whole feel of a room. Covering your switch plates with wallpaper or lace can give a room a more finished look. Updating lighting fixtures does not have to be expensive. If you have a Restore in your area it is a great place to find whole lights or covers. Spray paint and thinking outside of the box for light covers can make a big change. Faucets can be spray painted for a more updated look.