Many people think that renovating their home is very expensive. But it doesn’t have to be. If you know where to buy home décor online, for example, you can significantly cut down your costs. Moreover, by working on remodeling projects that will help your home become more energy efficient, you will actually be able to recoup your investment over time and even boost the value of your home.
But if your budget is tight and you can’t afford to spend more than a thousand dollars on renovations, here are several smart (and green) ideas you can consider:
1. Update the Lighting
If your lighting fixtures are already a decade old then it’s about time you change them. By doing so, the look of the room will be instantly transformed and you can actually do this job yourself.
You can buy a high quality lighting fixture for around $200 or so. You should also swap your old incandescent lights for LED lights, which last far longer and use a lot less electricity.
2. Replace the Front Door
If you’ve ever heard of curb appeal, then you’ll understand why replacing your front door is a good idea. Besides, it offers several other benefits including better security for your home. A beautiful and sturdy front door can be pricey but it’s definitely one of those things that can instantly improve the appearance of a home.
3. Update/Repair the Kitchen
A limited budget may not allow you to change the cabinets or countertop in your kitchen but you should at least fix any obvious issues. You can, for example, install new door pulls or add a new backsplash, which only costs around $2-$5 per square foot.
If you can afford it, replace old kitchen appliances with energy efficient ones so that you can save on utility bills. Look for appliances with Energy Star ratings.
You can also opt to repaint or re-finish cabinets and dirty walls to give your kitchen a brand new look.
4. Restore the Bathroom
When you have a small budget, you may not be able to make any major changes to your bathroom but it doesn’t mean you can’t update its look. The bathroom is one of the most used rooms in the house, by making it clean and free from problems, you can make sure it’s able to uphold its value. Consider changing the rugs, replacing your shower curtain, or adding new accessories like robe hooks and towel bars.
Changing your faucets and shower can also instantly give it a more modern appearance. Not to mention, it can fix leaks, which are very common in homes.
5. Bring in Natural Light
This may mean adding more windows throughout your home, expanding the size of your current windows or using skylights. This particular project may not exactly be cheap but it’s a great way to lower your utility expenses every month, and it can also change your home’s interior for the better.
