Low-Cost Home Improvements That Make a Big Impact

Are you tired of your home decor? Do you wish you could redesign the entire place but don’t want to spend a fortune on remodeling? Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to spruce up your home. Little changes can make a huge difference in the atmosphere of your home.

Here are some great home improvements that you can bring into your home with little cost and effort. Whether you want a whole new look in the interior of your home or are looking to revamp the outdoor area, these are some simple ideas to makeover your living area.

Add Some Kitchen Storage

Adding some extra kitchen storage can be a great way to not only overhaul your kitchen’s look but to provide some extra space! While adding in extra cabinets can be expensive, all you really need are open shelves to give your kitchen an attractive—and useful—makeover. Utilize wall areas or unused corner space.

Adding in extra shelves is a low-cost addition that can save you the hassle of bending down to reach extra dishes. All you really need are the shelves and brackets, and someone who is handy with a hammer. With all that extra space, you can finally stop storing your pots and pans in the oven.

Add a New Coat of Paint

This might seem like a no-brainer to some people, but many homeowners think that it costs a lot of money to bring in a team of professionals to slap on a new coat of paint. The truth is that painting can be done quite easily and doesn’t need to take too long. Get a group of friends together, lay some newspapers over your carpet or hardwood floors, and get painting!

A fresh coat of paint can rejuvenate a room. Spice things up with a bright hue if your walls were previously dark, or paint over those light tones with a deep, sophisticated shade.

Shine the Floor

You would be surprised at how a newly shined floor can perk up a room. If your hardwood floors are looking drab and dull, it may be time for some polish. Many people do not realize that hardwood floors are supposed to be polished at least once a year, and even up to three times a year in areas of the home which get a lot of traffic like entryways and hallways.

With a polished floor, your previously distressed floors will now illuminate your home. It’s a simple but effective home improvement, one that also has the added bonus of ensuring your floor lasts longer.

Install a Bathroom Vent

Installing a vent fan in your bathroom doesn’t seem like that powerful of a change, but it can make a world of difference in your home, especially if your bathroom doesn’t have a window. A vent can allow some much-needed air to filter through the space, eliminating odors.

Another advantage to adding in a bathroom vent is that it can help your shower tiles from growing mold. It will also help keep your mirror from fogging up every time you take a shower. Installing a vent only takes around three hours. That’s a short amount of time spent for such a big difference.

Plant a Tree Fence

This outdoor improvement offers your home a stylish method of privacy. An evergreen screen planted along the perimeter of your house will not only be more attractive than a fence but will also help block harsh winter winds.

A row of evergreens also provides an enclosure that keeps prying eyes off you when you are in your yard. Say goodbye to nosy neighbors trying to see what you’re up to. Make sure to clear this with your homeowners’ association before you start planting, though. Some neighborhoods might not allow this or might restrict how many evergreens you can plant on your property.

Clean Your Carpets

If you don’t have hardwood floors, then get your carpets cleaned. Vacuuming might remove debris, animal hair, dust, and dirt, but your carpets could be hiding things that you don’t see. Areas with high humidity can contribute to mold and mildew growth that may not be easily visible until its too late. Regular carpet cleaning can save you the cost of having to replace your carpet long before you would otherwise have to.

Not only will professional carpet cleaning help those in your family who may suffer from allergies, but it will also improve the appearance of your carpet and help it last longer.

Chandeliers Can Change the Vibe

Chandeliers sound incredibly fancy, but they don’t just belong in mansions or expensive hotels. In fact, you can purchase one of these stylish accents for less than $100. Dress up your dining room or foyer with a sparkly display.

You can even get really creative and put a chandelier in a place that no one would expect it like a laundry room or even a bathroom. Who says that such places have to be boring and devoid of beautiful accents? A chandelier is not only a beautiful addition to any room but can also make for a fascinating conversation piece whenever guests come over and marvel at your taste.

Eliminate Closet Clutter

It might sound easier said than done, but who actually likes having a closet door which they have to force shut? If your closets are overflowing with clothes, shoes, and other odds and ends that get thrown into the back, then it’s time for a change.

There are plenty of ways to create extra space in your closet. Try some flat hangers which will minimize the amount of space your clothes eat up. Also, consider adding in some shelves for shoes. Keep accessories sorted in separate containers. These simple changes will not only transform your closet but save you time in searching for items.

Wallpaper Your Front Door

For a unique accent, consider adding wallpaper to a door. It might not seem like much, but this is a quick and simple way to change the appearance of a room. Wallpaper is a bit more exciting than simply painting the door because it provides color and texture than can provide a nice contrast.

Since wallpaper is fairly cheap, all you really need to do is pick out a pattern that you love and then apply it to the door! This eye-popping effect is something that you can easily do to cover up an old scuffed door.

Build a Home Office Closet

All this requires is removing a door and adding some shelves. It’s a unique idea that makes use of a closet that is just gathering dust (or various odds and ends that get thrown inside and forgotten about). Turn a shelf into a desk area and add a chair for the perfect home office.

This is also a perfect idea for a small home that doesn’t have an extra room to use as an office. You also save space by not having to put in a desk that takes up much-needed space. It might not be a roomy office, but it is a cozy little nook to get work or studying done.

Turn Cabinets into Shelves

For more of an open look, remove cabinet doors in your kitchen. The built-in shelves can still be used to store all of your kitchen goods, but the open spaces will make your kitchen look larger. Whether you’re looking for a more open look or you’re holding off on replacing worn out kitchen cabinets, this is a quick and easy fix.

All you need to accomplish this look is a screwdriver to remove the hinges of the door. To make the makeover even more noticeable, cover the shelves with a coat of paint. Your kitchen will look completely different!

Decorate Your Entryway

Changing up your entryway is another simple fix you can make to your home. It can be as easy as changing your doorbell or door knocker. Also, consider adding a new welcome mat. Your entryway is the first thing people see when coming to your home, and a revamped area will make the entire home seem different.

If you have space, you could also add a table near the door. This adds a bit of flair to the entryway but also provides a good place to set down keys. It’s perfect if you are the kind of person who always misplaces them.

Install a Ceiling Fan

For less than $100 you can purchase a ceiling fan. Not only will this add some embellishment to your ceiling but it will also be functional in warmer weather. A ceiling fan can save you space so that you don’t have to have a floor fan taking up space.

Ceiling fans are not too difficult to install and can be done without professional assistance. The added air circulation will also save money on your air conditioning bill in the summer months. If you want a quick way of decorating a room which is also functional, then a ceiling fan is the way to go.

Do Some Easy Landscaping

Plant some pretty flowers or add some bushes to your lawn. This might not seem like it will have a huge effect, but landscaping can transform the entire appearance of your home. You don’t need to hire a professional team of landscapers to make the change. All it takes is a trip to the nursery for some small trees or flower bulbs.

You don’t have to plant an entire garden, but a bit of landscaping will create attractive scenery. Depending on the time of year, you may have to wait until the best planting time in your area. Also, make sure to pick perennial plants which bloom every year if you don’t want to have to replant each year.

Make Your Windows Look Bigger

Make small windows look larger by hanging drapes at ceiling height. The size of the window will stay the same, but by raising the height of your curtain rod will give the appearance of extra space. It’s an easy way of changing the appearance of a room and dressing it up.

You can use the curtain rod you already have. All you really need to do is undo the bolts holding it up and install them higher up on the wall. Consider purchasing longer drapes for a sweeping, majestic effect. This will not only make your windows seem larger but will make the entire space seem bigger.

Install a Light Dimmer

Create some mood lighting with an easy to install a light dimmer. You can purchase one for less than $50. Not only does a light dimmer save on energy and save you money on your electricity bill, but it can also change the atmosphere of the room.

A light dimmer will allow you to adjust the brightness of the room depending on the time of day. It can also help to provide lighting that is less harsh when you are reading, which will minimize eye strain. When you factor in the savings on your energy bill, your newly installed light dimmers will pay for themselves in no time.

Put Up Wallpaper

If painting seems like too much work or you don’t want to wait for the paint to dry, consider wallpaper. This is also a great option if your walls are scuffed and beat up. A fresh coat of paint might not cover up all flaws on your walls, but a good wallpaper can accomplish this with ease.

Installing wallpaper on your own is a fairly simple task. Transforming your walls can completely change the atmosphere of a room. Pick a plain wallpaper to change the color of your walls or, if you’re feeling adventurous, pick out a pattern to easily decorate your walls without having to hang up any pictures.

Put Casters on Your Furniture

Put casters on furniture for easy moving. By having large pieces of furniture on wheels, you can easily clear them away when not in use. If your kitchen is low on space, consider adding casters to the legs of your kitchen table. Lock the wheels in place when the kitchen is in use, and then wheel it against a wall during the daytime for more ease of movement.

This might not seem like a huge change, but increasing space in your home can make it seem more spacious. It’s also a great idea if you have children or pets who run around the place.

Create an Outdoor Path

There are many ways of making an outdoor path. You can line your walkway with flowers or trees, or add some stones. A boring cement walkway can be easily transformed with a little bit of creativity. A bit of landscaping can go a long way and change the personality of the outside of your home.

Your walkway will let guests to your home know that you take home decoration seriously as well as provide an inviting welcome to your home. Consider adding some texture in the form of outdoor tiles or bricks to lend some pizazz to your outdoor area.