6 Ways to Give a Home a Budget-Friendly Makeover

On November 12, 2012, in Remodeling Adviser, Staging Tips, by Blog Contributor

Just the sound of “home makeover” is enough to make some people cringe. The idea of spending lots of time and money painting the house, shopping for new furniture, and replacing the carpet is not something many people want to do during their free time.

But not every home makeover has to be so exhausting. In fact, there are many small alterations and additions you can make to your home that have big results for very little money and effort. If your home is in need of a new look, but you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg to do it, then try these six simple ways to give your home a makeover for cheap.

1. Paint the furniture.

An easy way to shake up a room is to paint your furniture. Go bold with a red accent piece or lighten up the room with a white finish. You can also skip the paint altogether and opt for a simple stain. The color options are endless and the cost for this project is fairly cheap.

2. Add indoor plants.

It’s amazing how much a simple plant or two can dress up a room and add an unexpected pop of color. Not only do real indoor plants purify the air inside your house, but they also bring a remarkable amount of life to any room. Aim for low maintenance plants that have a variety of colors and textures and can be displayed in unique ways, like inside a non-working fireplace.

3. Accessorize

A cheap and easy way to spice up a dull room is to accessorize with colorful pieces, such as throw pillows for the couch, bold frames, or an eye-catching mirror. To keep it affordable, use the items you’ve already got or restore them with a new coat of paint or embellishments. You can also find cheap accessories at antique shops, flea markets, and thrift stores.

4. Create an accent wall.

An accent wall can take any room from blah to beautiful in a matter of hours. Whether you paint one wall in a contrasting color or use whimsical wall decals, an accent wall can make your home appear bigger and brighter than before.

5. Rearrange the furniture.

Before you go buy new furniture or start knocking down walls, try rearranging your furniture first. Move your bed to another wall, reposition your couches, and switch up your artwork. With the right rearrangements, your room will feel and look brand new to you and your guests. Best of all, this makeover will cost you nothing, except for maybe an achy back after moving heavy furniture.

6. Organize the clutter.

Organizing your clutter may not sound like much of a makeover, but it actually makes a huge difference in the overall look and functionality of your home. If you’re like most people, you probably have a drawer or closet full of unorganized junk. By going through your clutter and finding a new home for the things that are actually worth keeping, you can free up this storage space for other important items. This project will cost virtually nothing, except for maybe a few cheap storage bins or baskets.