Tips for Home Improvements on a Budget

Home improvements are a sure fire way to improve the value of your home. But, this doesn’t mean you need to tear down walls or add another story; small changes can make a huge difference, it’s just a matter of knowing what to alter.

For some, a quick paint job will suffice, while others may take a home improvement loan out to totally refurbish the kitchen. Then again, how much you can change really depends on the time you’ve got and how much you want to spend.

Restorations and repairs are rarely cheap and if your property hasn’t been attended to for a while, the list of improvements can seem impossibly long. But new carpet or re-designing the back garden may be a cheaper, yet equally effective route to take.

How to Decide

It can be useful to make a list of all of the improvements you want to make around the house and then numbering them in the order of importance. Be ruthless and think about what a potential buyer would look for rather than what you would like to change.

According to the Evening Standard, when it comes to selling houses, real estate agents believe kitchens make the difference. So, if you’re deciding between a backyard makeover or kitchen update, then the latter may sit higher on your to-do list.

Update the Decor

A fresh coat of paint is a great way to instantly brighten up a room. When choosing a colour, the safest option is the go for a neutral shade, one that people can use as a ‘blank canvas’ when they move in.

Using a muted colour also creates a clean and fresh feel, and increases the perceived size of a space. As a gauge, a standard pot of paint (2.5L) will cover about 12-13 square metres of wall space. For an immaculate finish, you’ll probably need to apply two coats, so make sure you double the amount of paint.

Re-grout the Bathroom

Rather than ripping out the whole shower or tearing up the tiles, simply having your bathroom re-grouted (whether by yourself or a plumber) will make a huge difference to its appearance. Bathrooms receive a high level of traffic in any household, and after a while they succumb to general wear and tear.

Over time the grout between tiles cracks and breaks off, and due to its porous quality, stains and mould can build up on its surface. Re-grouting any tiled surface in your bathroom will immediately make the room feel like new. If applied properly, grout will last between five and 10 years.

Insulate the Roof

Did you know that 25% of heat in a non-insulated home is lost through the ceiling? When winter comes, having a fully insulated home will help to reduce heating bills, and while it’s a change that won’t be outwardly noticeable, it’s an extremely worthwhile investment.

Don’t Forget the Garden

A lot of people focus all of their attention on the interior and forget about the exterior, but a well-designed garden can a great way to add a new attraction to your home. Laying new pavers to create an outdoor dining area or replacing your existing ones is a way to add an extra ‘room’ to your home, and just by replacing old plants with new ones will give your garden a fresh appearance.

Change a Few Details

It’s often said it’s the little things that count, so updating a few minor details in your home can make a huge difference. If you have old and outdated light switches, why not replace them with more modern versions?

This is a cheap and simple job for anyone who is handy with a screwdriver and really does add to the appeal of a room. Or if it’s simply changing your light bulbs to more energy efficient ones – this is something that will save you in the long-term.  Another trick is to replace doorknobs and curtains – it brings a fresh feel to an otherwise old look.

Clean, fresh and new are the key aims, and with common sense and few simple changes then you can make a tired room look like new for very little cost.