What is one budget friendly DIY,I can do to update my 70's home?

Power wash your home and sidewalk even if you do not paint now. Trim back trees, especially those that might fall on the house, even sideways, or interfere with power or drainage lines. I mention these first because your wonderful work inside can be put asunder by outside features. If you haven’t before you bought, check the gutters, sewer lines, water lines, electric lines, gas lines, cable lines and where the trash has to be for collection! Hopefully, you had a building inspector who checked everything and you are ready to start on the wonderful inside projects you will hear about. Best wishes ☺️

Paint is the best way to go, just start in the living area, using light colors will brighten up the house. Paint is cheap and makes a world of difference. Paint the kitchen and white woodwork, you can add a dash of color with accessories. Good Luck, just do a room at a time.

When we started we picked the hall first. That way we could try an idea out and make any mistakes in a small area. Not so scarey that way. If you love it then you will love whatever you do.

I would start with painting the paneling, it's the easiest. Make sure there's no grease or smoke reside by washing down with cleaner that will remove that. I would use a paint containg primer or prime separately first. decide your color, Grays are big and even white now. Your kitchen cabinets take a little longer, but I've done it for myself and helped my daughter. Make sure you remove doors, drawers and all hardware for the best outcome. Again, gray is big now for cabinets, with white walls. Plan at least 4-5 days from start to finish. Add new handles and pulls. Not sure if you can paint over the wall tile, I would not try painting the floor tile. personally, I would paint the bathroom and accessorize with a color that looks good with the tile until I could get to that big project. Good luck!

Before you start any projects, take some time to decide on a general color scheme. Look at pictures online and in magazines. Really think about the colors that make you happy when you see them. It is your home. You have to live there, so make it yours. There are no decorating police. You want to be happy when you walk into your rooms. Don’t be afraid of color. Light colors do make a small home feel more spacious, but you can still use bold color in pillows, accessories, candles, and painted pieces of furniture-like a night stands, coffee table, side chair, etc. Keep large items like sofas, cabinets, and counter tops neutral—white, gray, cream, or even beige. As your tastes change, these neutrals will be easier to work around. Don’t let the green tiles in your bath throw you. Find a paint chip that is the same color as your tile and carry it with you. Find a shower curtain with a great print that works with this color tile, and then choose your wall color and towels and accessories that are in this curtain and you will have a lovely room. Paint the dark paneling. Use liquid sandpaper to degloss the paneling and then use a bonding primer before painting. Satin or eggshell finish is my choice for walls. Don’t use flat paint. It is hard to clean.

I like to pick up paint at a household chemical recycle center for free. Then you can paint anything you want for nothing. We've done this so many times. If you pick paints that are all latex and similar shades, you can mix a bunch together in a five gallon bucket. Then you have one color to paint all the walls. Usually, mine comes out a very pleasant beige. Our recycle center is at the dump.