How to Renovate on a Budget
There comes a time when one feels the need to change things up in their living space. Renovating a house or apartment can be an exciting endeavor. However, it is oftentimes overwhelming as well, especially when dealing with a tight budget. Keep on reading to find out what are some of the cost-effective ways to upgrade your residential space.
1. Create a steady plan
Firstly, when aiming to renovate your living space on a budget, you need a steady plan. Before doing any work, it’s best to list out all the supplies and items that you think you need and calculate the cost. Also, dedicate some time to doing some research and brainstorming the best approach to your project. This will help you stick to your budget and avoid additional costs. If you try to renovate without having a clear plan in mind, you may end up doing more work than necessary. For example, you may choose to paint the walls a certain color and then decide to update the furniture. Then, you arrive at a problem because your furniture of choice doesn’t go well with your newly-painted wall. In that case, you can either opt for different furniture that you like less or repaint the wall. Therefore, planning and picking out items, colors, and patterns beforehand is a highly efficient method, as it can help you prevent such issues.
2. Paint and decorate the walls by yourself
Hiring a professional to paint your walls can be very costly. Thus, you can save money by doing the paint job yourself. If you want to accentuate your walls, you can use tape to create geometrical shapes in different colors. You can also go simple and paint the walls one color, and then decorate them by adding items such as pictures. In case you would like to skip painting, buy some chic wallpapers and put them up by yourself. Hanging mirrors is another way to embellish your walls. On top of that, they have a function and never go out of style. You can use one, bigger mirror or if you’re aiming for a more stylish, unique vibe, pick out a few smaller mirrors varying in size and shape. Another creative way to style up the walls is to hang plates or make them appear livelier with wall-mounted plants. For a more traditional feel, you can hang a tapestry. Ultimately, decorating the wall can be a very creative process, so you can truly let your imagination fly and completely transform the rooms with minimal expenses.
3. Upgrade the plumbing
Upgrading your plumbing may not change up the appearance of your home, but it’s an essential step for saving money in the long term. For example, investing in a new water heater can significantly lower your bills. Older models require you to run the water and wait for it to become warm, which results in a lot of water being wasted. Furthermore, it’s advisable to check your pipes to see whether they need insulation or to be changed altogether. By having properly maintained pipes, you will bypass the same problem an old water heater may create – having to wait for the water to get warm. In case you’re looking for a plumber in Northern Beaches to help you handle the pipework at a reasonable price, you can check out the company Service Heroes.
4. Keep the order of the bathroom items the same
When renovating the living space, you may want to rearrange all the furniture to give your rooms a complete makeover. Although that’s a great idea for most rooms, doing so in the bathroom can be very expensive. If you choose to change the place of the toilet, sink, and/or shower, you will significantly ramp up the costs of the pipework. Exchanging these items for new or refurbished ones is enough to switch up the look of your bathroom.
5. Make used furniture look as good as new
Buying new furniture can truly transform a room, but it is also very pricey. Luckily, there is a way to acquire furniture that looks new for far lower prices. You can buy high-quality second-hand furniture and refurbish it. If your furniture is in good enough shape, you may not need to buy any at all. When it comes to furniture that consists of fabric, such as couches, sofas, and some chairs, you can reupholster it. This is not only cost-effective, but it allows you to choose the color and pattern of the material that matches the rest of the room. Depending on its condition, the wooden furniture usually requires sanding and varnishing. If you wish to switch things up more, you can paint it a different color. In the case of cabinets, you can change the handles. Thus, you will have fully functional, stylish-looking furniture without overspending.
A budget-friendly renovation comes down to doing as much as you can by yourself. Although this means you’ll have more work cut out for you, it can also be a fun process. It’s up to you to come up with creative ideas and bring them to life.