Wednesday, July 25, 2018

Renovating Your Home on a Budget

~ This is a featured post. ~

With the housing market so unpredictable, many people have chosen not to look for another property if they want to change. Instead, they choose to renovate the home they already have and make it as they would want. There are many advantages to this, you don’t have the hassle of moving, and you can make the home as you like it. However, if you are short on budget, it can make things more complicated, but here are a few tips to help you renovate your home with limited funds.

Refresh the Front Door
Your front door is the gateway to your house, and the first thing your visitors see. If your front door is looking a little worse for wear, then you should think about giving it a refresh. Sometimes with a wooden door, you can sand it down and give it a new coat of paint. It can make the door look good as new and won’t cost a lot of money. If you do take this option, then ensure you use a suitable outdoor paint that can withstand the rigors of the weather without cracking or flaking. If your door is too damaged, or if you want something that is more secure, then you should invest in a new door. Although new front doors can be a little expensive, the security they will give your home is invaluable.

Use Luxurious Panel Curtains
Fabric can be expensive, especially if you are looking at the more luxurious fabrics. However, with a panel curtain, there are no pleats so you won’t need any additional fabric. Because of this, you might be able to afford a better-quality fabric to use. Another option is to scour the local charity shops to see if there are any curtains that you can reuse. They don’t necessarily have to match completely, but if they have a similar pattern, then that is a bonus. It also helps if you or someone you know is good with a sewing machine as you can then create the curtains and adjust them yourself.

Kitchen Tiles
Kitchen tiles might look hard to do, but they are actually fairly easy to fit. All you need is the time and the patience to see it through, and the right cement and tools for the job. Having tiles, especially around the worksurfaces is essential to being able to keep the area clean. Choose tiles that are not too expensive, and if this is your first-time tiling, then think about the size of the tiles as well. You might think that larger tiles will be quicker because it covers a greater area. However, you might also need to do more tile cutting to fit them in. Smaller tiles can usually be fitted with less cutting, although it might take slightly longer to place them all. Time is the key factor in this job, you need to be slow and steady, or you will make mistakes. You also need to give the tiles the time they need to set.

Kitchen Work Surfaces
If your countertops need to be replaced, then there are cheaper options than going for a stone or marble effect. For example, you can get a laminated MDF type board that is great for kitchens and can be easily cut to size. Not only will this be cheaper than other types of worktop, but it will also likely be something you can fit yourself. Think about what the overall look of the kitchen will be before you choose the worktops as they will need to blend in nicely with the tiles and paintwork.

Add Blinds to Your Windows
Adding blinds to your windows can create a great look and also give you instant privacy. There are usually a few types you can choose, made from wood, plastic, or metal. Plastic and metal are ok, but they don’t always give you the look you want. Wooden ones are usually thicker and larger and give your windows a great look. If you have windows that aren’t the standard shape, then you will most likely need to cut the blinds to fit. It is a fairly simple task providing you have the right tools to do it. You can buy blind cutters that snip the metal and plastic blinds, but these have to be done individually so can be difficult to line up. An easier idea is to mark where the blinds need to be cut, and use a miter saw to cut them all at one time. It will give you a nice neat edge, and they will all be aligned.

Update Your Shower
Once you have mastered the art of tiling, you can use it anywhere including your bathroom. Many people are now choosing to tile their whole bathroom rather than just the wall near the shower. It makes cleaning easier, though it will take time and money to complete. While you are tiling, think about replacing your shower or creating a wet room instead. Building a wet room take some work, and you also need the budget for materials, but it can be done as a DIY project. If you have low water pressure, then you should probably invest in a pump to increase the power of your shower. You might be able to fit these yourself, but you will need tools such as those on wrenchguru.

Make Use of Existing Features
If you live in an older house, then there might be some beautiful existing features that have been covered up or painted over. For example, there might be a lovely original floor in your hall that could be restored to its former glory. Not only will it add some character to the house, but it will also be a cheaper way to make the room look different. Don’t be afraid to look under the carpets or to strip off the wallpaper to see what you might find.

No matter what size your budget may be, there are always things you can do to your home that will make it look and feel refreshed and new.
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