Ever wanted to update your home but didn’t think you had enough money to do anything significant? Well, it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to change the look of your place. Here are five great ideas for remodeling that won’t put you over budget.

Cabinets and Flooring

When you ask most people, it seems that the kitchen or bathroom is the most desired area to remodel. However, doing a full update on these spaces can be extremely expensive and labor intensive. One way to conserve money and still update the look of the room is to take baby steps instead of trying to change it all at once.

Kitchen and bathroom cabinets can often look dated, or perhaps you just don’t like their current color. You can paint or re-stain them for a fraction of the cost of purchasing new ones. Another way to update a room is by adding new hardware to your drawers and cupboards. It may not sound like much, but sometimes just making small changes can have a large impact.

As for flooring, there are many inexpensive options available, and many are easy to install on your own. Take a look at your local home improvement stores and you may find something that is perfect, and well within your budget. It you can’t afford new flooring, try adding an accent rug. This can be placed under the kitchen table, coffee table, or in front of the fireplace and really change the look of the room.

Walls and Windows

As simple as it sounds, painting is an excellent way to change the look of a room and give it a wow factor. If you visit a paint store, you’ll find every hue of color imaginable and it’s amazing what a painted accent wall does to the space.

In addition to paint, consider adding a backsplash in the kitchen. This is a simple addition that adds amazing style and contrast. For the windows in your home, make window treatments to add to the décor. Or, you can purchase new wide blinds that are easy to install and will have a huge impact visually.

Furniture and Accessories

You can find very inexpensive pieces of furniture at second hand stores or rummage sales, and all they need is some tender loving care. If you spend the time sanding and re-staining them, you will have a beautiful new piece of furniture. In a bedroom, just changing the bedding and purchasing two bedside lamps will create a whole new looking space.

To quickly change the look of a kitchen, try adding chair pads to the chairs. And, if the space permits, add a kitchen island. Make it something unique and unusual. Almost any type of taller furniture can be used as an island with a little creativity. Also don’t forget about lighting. For a very small expense, updating the fixtures and lighting in each room can create a fantastic new ambiance to your home.

Artwork

Are you searching for photos or artwork to hang on the walls? These are things that you can do yourself for very little money. Take some photos of people or scenery, and have the images enlarged and printed in black and white. Then just frame them and hang them up.

Another easy way to make wall art is by getting some old frames and going to the fabric store to buy material. Have the material cut, and then all you have to do is fold it around the frame and use a staple gun to secure it. Just hang them on the wall and you have instant art.

Or, if you’re feeling extra creative, buy some canvas at your local craft store, a few brushes, and some paint in the color tones that you want. Next, let your artistic side come alive and paint. You don’t need to be an artist to achieve modern looking artwork. If you paint from the heart, you will have a beautiful work of art.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. — Matthew 5:8 KJV

Where to Shop

Just because you are on a tight budget doesn’t mean you can’t buy furniture and accessories to update your space. If you haven’t checked out Craigslist lately, you should give it a try. It has become an enormously popular way to advertise sale items.

People will also list the dates of their garage sales on this website, and being able to search by city is an efficient way to see what’s for sale in your area. Another option is to look at consignment shops and thrift stores. There are a lot of good deals just waiting to be found at these places, and you never know when you’ll find a hidden treasure.

Regardless of how you choose to remodel your home, the most important thing to have with you throughout the project is your creativity.