Quick home updates on a limited budget
April 25, 2009 by Jennifer Chait
Filed under Around the House
Sprucing up your home seems like a good plan, but when money is tight, big projects are out of reach. However, you can make some smaller, inexpensive changes that won’t kill your time or budget.
Keep it clean: Ideally you should have a basic weekly home cleaning schedule along with a quick daily pick-up. Honestly, if your house is clean, you’ll be happier and feel less like you need decor changes and other improvements. COST: Free if you’ve already got cleaning supplies – especially inexpensive if you stick to homemade cleaners.
Fresh paint: One coat of fresh paint can make a huge difference. Even just painting the trim can make a dent in how you feel about your home. In small spaces use brighter colors to open the area up. COST: About $15 per can of paint for a nice zero VOC, non-toxic brand.
Replace outdated lighting: There are a few areas you can make changes when it comes to lighting. You can switch out lamp shades (easy and less expensive), switch out light fixtures, or install new lighting (say, cool track lighting in the kitchen). If you install dimmer lights you’ll not only get new lighting, but be able to soften the colors and vibe in a room with just a turn of the switch. COST: Varies, but if you look for deals you can do a few lighting projects with a minimum budget.
Change the little things up: You can get new throw pillows, clean out the old candle holders and place out new fresh candles, change family photos in frames, put down new shelf paper in the cupboards, change the hardware on all your cabinets, and more. Look at the little things around the house that bore / bug you and change them. COST: Varies, but small item changes are way inexpensive.
Place out fresh flowers: Any room improves with flowers. Fresh flowers year can be had for super cheap if you garden, but even if you don’t simply visit wholesale shops and ask what’s in season or what’s on the way out. It’s the rare once yearly items that cost more, but flowers that are easy to get year round don’t cost as much. OR you can always do what I did once and get a job at a flower shop PT (I did it for the free flowers, and it was totally worth it). COST: Depends on season – but to fill your home with flowers (even all summer) can cost under $30 a week if you shop around or get in good with a flower shop. If you can’t afford flowers, consider some new plants that look great but don’t need to be replaced.
[image via stock.xchng]
