Grisha Trilogy

5 Low Budget Home Improvement Ideas to Revive Your Space

• Victoria Hawthorne
• September 9, 2023August 28, 2023

Are you feeling bored of your home’s dull and dated decor? A home makeover doesn’t have to drain your savings account. With some clever ideas and elbow grease, you can give your space a fresh new look on a tight budget. In this article, we’ll share 5 low-cost DIY projects that will help upgrade your home’s style.

1. Refresh Walls with a New Coat of Paint 

Painting your walls is one of the quickest and most affordable ways to instantly revive a room. The key is choosing the right colors. Neutral, light hues like off-white, soft gray, or pale blue will make your rooms look brighter and more spacious. Stay away from bold, dark colors, which can make spaces feel smaller and darker. 

The quality of your paint also makes a difference. Invest in premium interior paints from reliable brands like Behr or Benjamin Moore. They offer better coverage so you may be able to get away with only one coat. The finish you choose flat, eggshell, or satin depends on the room. Bathrooms and kitchens do best with satin or semi-gloss paints that can be scrubbed clean. Eggshell works well for bedrooms and living spaces.

Proper prep is crucial for achieving flawless painted walls. Fill any cracks or holes with spackle and let dry completely. Remove any loose or peeling existing paint. Sand glossy surfaces to help the new paint adhere. Carefully cut in along edges with painter’s tape and a brush before rolling large sections. Use high-quality applicator tools don’t try to skimp on brushes or rollers.

Painting accent walls or patterns like stripes or shapes can add personality without the cost of wallpaper. And detailed painting like sponging or rag-rolling can create textured dimension. With just a sample-size amount of paint and some painter’s tape, you can easily add this extra detailing.

2. Illuminate With New Lighting Fixtures

Lighting has a profound impact on a room’s overall look and feel. The good news is, it doesn’t cost much to upgrade basic builder-grade lighting to create a stylish focal point. Search sites like Amazon, Etsy, and Lamps Plus for affordably priced lamp shades, sconces, and pendant lights. 

Consider the vibe you want to create glamorous and dramatic or clean and contemporary? Bronze, brass, and nickel finishes add a hint of shimmer, while painted wood or matte metallics give a more subdued effect. The shape and size of shades and bases make a statement too. Small globe pendant lights work in modern or vintage spaces, while oversized drum shades create a cozy glow. 

Don’t forget the power of a smart light bulb. New LED smart bulbs let you control brightness and color temperature from your phone. With voice control integration, you can illuminate a room just by speaking. 

If rewiring is required for new fixtures, play it safe and hire an experienced electrician. But simple swap-outs like updating a boob light to a hanging pendant can usually be a DIY project, as long as the wiring aligns. Watch online tutorials to learn how to do this safely and properly.

3. Introduce Removable Wallpaper 

Wallpaper can transform a room, but it’s notoriously tricky to work with and remove. Enter removable wallpaper to the rescue! Self-adhesive, peel-and-stick wallpaper allows you to refresh your walls in a day without the hassle or commitment of traditional wallpaper. Brands like Tempaper, NuWallpaper, and WallPops offer tons of stylish prints and patterns for a fraction of the price of paint or permanent paper. 

Some clever ways to use removable wallpaper:

• As an accent wall behind a bed, sofa, or dining table
• To spruce up dated builder-grade backsplashes
• On furniture like dressers, shelving, and cabinets
• As a border or strip for an entryway, stair risers, or powder room  

Before applying the wallpaper, make sure to prep the surface so it adheres properly. Clean thoroughly, patch holes, and sand glossy areas. Measure the space and cut sheets to size with scissors or utility knife. Apply a credit card or smoothing tool to press out any bubbles or wrinkles. The end result looks professionally done at a price any DIYer can afford.

4. Refinish Existing Furniture Pieces

Don’t toss out outdated furnishings give them new life! Refinishing old furniture is one of the most satisfying budget DIY projects. Scout garage sales, thrift stores, or Craigslist for cast-off wood pieces with good bones and refinish them into stylish accents. 

Here’s a simple refinishing process:

• Clean surface thoroughly and make any repairs
• Sand away existing finish with coarse grit paper
• Wipe away dust and apply new stain, paint, or finish
• Add protective sealant like polyurethane for durability

Popular products like chalk or milk paint skip the stripping and sanding steps for beginner-friendly transformations. Adding new hardware like drawer pulls, knobs, or legs completes the upgrade.

Displaying refinished furniture together creates cohesive vignettes. A coat of semigloss paint unifies mixed pieces, while intentionally mismatched finishes play up vintage charm.  

5. Showcase Your Collections 

The things you love most probably already exist within your home. Displaying collections of meaningful items can infuse style and personality into any space. Arrangements of framed family photos, favorite artwork, shells gathered from beach vacations anything showcases what makes your house a home.

Some tips for styling collections:

• Gather pieces with something in common like color, theme, or material
• Mix in items of varying heights for visual interest  
• Keep it simple and de-cluttered so items stand out
• Refresh existing frames or buy a few matching new ones

Group collections on a gallery wall, mantel, console table, or shelving unit. It pulls together a custom look that celebrates your style.

The Takeaway

Who says you need a big budget to transform the look of your home? With clever use of paint, lighting, wallpaper, furniture revivals, and styling collections you already own, you can turn your space into a fresh, fashionable place. A little elbow grease combined with creativity and smart finds are the real keys to DIY success.

What are you waiting for? Pick a project and get started making your abode amazing again! Remember, home re-dos don’t have to be difficult or expensive. These thrifty tips help you upgrade your home’s style at a price that fits your budget.