Category: DIY Projects

If you’re ready for a home update but you need to watch your spending, don’t worry! There are many changes you can make to your home that will look great but cost little. All you need is a little elbow grease and dedicated time.

Declutter and Clean

Work around the room in two directions with two containers. You need a trash bag for things that no longer belong in your home and a box for things that belong in another room.

Work counter-clockwise to pick up things that are just in the wrong place. Once you have them all gathered up, put them where they belong. Grab the trash bag and work counter-clockwise again, scooping up garbage or items that just don’t serve you anymore.

Finally, work around the room clockwise. Clean what’s dirty, dust where needed, and sweep and wash the floor when you’re finished. Do a deep carpet cleaning. Your home will look better, smell better, and be much more enjoyable. The cost for this fresh new space will be minimal.

Paint

Painting your home is a terrific way to do a low-cost clean-up and rearrange the space. You’ll need to do some prep work and some clean-up afterward. Recommended steps include

• move furniture to the center of the room
• pull everything off the walls and dust it before placing it on or beside the furniture
• cover furniture and wall decor with plastic
• wash walls and baseboards
• patch holes with spackle
• lightly sand when dry
• prime the patches
• paint the walls
• before you move the furniture back, wash the floors

Once you have all the holes filled and the walls painted, reconsider your decor placement. Do you have a lot of large wall art, or would you prefer to show off keepsake items or photographic collections? Small pieces of art in a cluster draw the eye of a visitor and encourage them to want to cross the space. If your home is small, this draw could make things feel much bigger.

Rearrange

Take a good look at your furniture. Your sofa belongs in the living room, but could you use an old trunk as a window seat by adding a cushion? Could the old trunk go near the front door as a place to sit while taking off boots or leaving behind outdoor gear? Running out and buying something is an easy fix, but if you haven’t really thought about what you need and want, it could be an expense you don’t need.

Redoing your home doesn’t have to cost a lot. A fresh coat of paint and an old piece of furniture with a new purpose can make a world of difference in your home without breaking your budget.

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