5 Ways to Update Your Home on the Cheap

Ever look around your home and think of all the things you would like to fix? Or watch an HGTV show and wonder which changes the professionals would make if you and your home got the chance? While buying a home to meet all of your wants may not be financially possible, there are plenty of affordable updates that you can try to transform your home on a budget.

1. Change Your Hardware

New knobs are an easy way to give a dated dresser or bland kitchen cabinets a much-needed boost. Simplify with stainless steel or get fancy with creative options. Thrift stores and garage sales can often offer fun, one-of-a-kind hardware while department stores’ home sections usually offer something classy at a decent price.

2. Paint, Paint, Paint

New paint makes everything look clean and bright — from the exterior to the walls to the ceiling. Neutral colors create a comforting but warm environment. New paint provides a clean slate that you can decorate around. If you are looking for a really small change, consider an accent wall (one wall in a room that is a different color) or even painting the inside of a bookshelf or other furniture for a complementary pop of color.

3. All in the Details

To update your home you can try giving furniture a facelift — paint or resurface dressers or re-cover chairs so your old items feel new. Also consider changing your bedding or curtains. Thinking smaller (and even cheaper)? Fresh cut flowers, scented candles or the trinkets you can’t stop looking at in your favorite store can give your home a boost on a small budget. These types of details can really make a house your home.

4. Let There Be Light

Change boring, outdated recessed fluorescent lighting with some brighter options. A new fixture (home stores offer plenty of inexpensive, nice-looking options) or even just energy-efficient bulbs can help you enjoy your home more (because you can actually see it!). Consider track or accent lighting, which can be very inexpensive if you do the installation yourself.

5. Consider Curb Appeal

When you (or potential buyers if you are sprucing up to sell) drive up to your home, that first impression is very important. Fresh landscaping, a swept walkway and some well-manicured flowers or plants can make your yard more inviting. If you are new to gardening, it’s a good idea to talk to someone at a local store about what grows well in your climate and what requires little care to stay alive and looking good.

Whether you pick and choose or employ all the budget-friendly updates, get ready to be closer to your dream home — without breaking the bank or getting on TV. Not only do these suggestions make you like your home more, but these cheap and easy tips can boost your home’s value.