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Inexpensive ways to give your home a makeover

Inexpensive ways to give your home a makeover

When it comes to giving your home a makeover, cost is nearly always the biggest obstacle, but expensive renovations are not always required to achieve an impressive new look. There are plenty of cheap and easy ways to give your home a facelift, so with a little time, imagination and inspiration, you can get a great result without breaking the bank.

These easy, inexpensive tips will help you smarten up your home and breathe new life into your decor.

First impressions
If the exterior of your home is looking tired, there’s a great deal you can do to improve its kerb appeal and add value in a cost-effective way. Start by giving the exterior a good clean – begin with dirty windows, removing cobwebs on the eaves, tidying up the garden and getting rid of moss, leaves or debris on the roof. While you’re outside, take a good look around – do you have old or unused furniture, pots and garden accessories scattered around your front yard, or broken pavers, fences and other items making your home look run-down and unwelcoming? Likewise, cracks and damage to exterior render, brick or stonework can often make a home appear older than it actually is so speak to a professional about how you can address these issues in an inexpensive way. Also, if the outside of your property is looking dull, you could repaint the windows, external joinery, doors and garage door. A new coat of paint will work wonders to restore your property’s features and improve its charm. Painting doesn’t have to be expensive, just simply head to your local paint or hardware store and ask an expert for a range of options to suit your budget.

A touch of paint
​Adding a fresh coat of paint to old, drab or cracked interior walls can transform your home, and now is the perfect time to open up the paint tin before winter arrives. You don't have to dedicate a lot of money to painting as a little bit of paint can go a long way, so focus on the main traffic areas first, like your home’s entrance, living areas and kitchen. Opt for light neutral shades, such as whites and creams, with the same on the ceilings, skirting and architraves, as this will reflect light and make the property feel more spacious. It will also allow you plenty of flexibility with furniture colours. You could also consider painting a feature wall, which can bring a pop of colour into your home while also creating an impressive statement.

Accessorise​
An easy and budget-friendly way to spruce up your interior decor is by accessorising and refreshing your soft furnishings. Little tweaks around the house can go a long way, and even make the space look brand new.

For instance, you can easily give your lounge room a makeover with new cushions, a lamp or a new coffee table. The same approach applies to your bedroom – think new bedding, a textured throw, a vibrant statement rug or some modern bedside lamps.

Another cheap but effective way of making your home look smarter is by replacing old or dated light and wall switches with new ones, as well as updating cupboard and door handles.

When it comes to bringing new life to your home it’s surprising how much of an impact a piece of art can make. Why not consider filling an empty wall with a large statement painting or canvas, or try making a gallery wall of family photos. It doesn’t have to be expensive, as you can revamp old picture frames with a new coat of paint or buy second-hand frames online.

Kitchen and bathroom
Revamping your kitchen and bathroom can be a great way to improve your home’s value, its visual appeal and day-to-day functionality. You can easily spend a lot of money refurbishing these areas, but it’s not necessary – it is definitely possible to achieve a completely new look by retaining the existing layout and structure. Firstly, consider replacing or refacing the cabinet doors with a high-quality, durable paint or plastic wraps. Alternatively, if you like your cabinetry but want to give it a more modern look, a new set of handles can give them a significant upgrade. 
For benchtops, you don’t need to buy something expensive for them to look attractive. Laminate options are cost-effective and often look just as good as costly stone materials. Likewise, a new splashback for the kitchen can create a striking focal point for the space. Less expensive splashback options include mirrors, stainless steel, glass, or marble lookalikes, which are easy to clean and create a great aesthetic. 
In the bathroom, new or resurfaced tiling can make the space look brand new, as can a new shower frame – consider sleek, frameless glass for the best impact. It will give your bathroom a modern look and is easy to keep clean.
Another great way to give your kitchen or bathroom a makeover is with appliances and accessories. For example, a matching microwave, kettle, toaster and blender can give the kitchen a fresh look, and if your budget allows, you can match the fridge, oven and stove top too. This can be particularly effective with stainless steel, white or a single colour of choice. The same thinking can be applied to coordinating fixtures and tapware in both the kitchen and bathroom. Your bathroom can also really benefit from an investment in some quality accessories like a statement mirror, a plant, and some plush new towels. It will surprise you how the little things can make such a big difference.

Light it up
Investing in inexpensive, modern light fittings can create a statement in any room, like a chandelier in your living room, a centrepiece above the dining room table or stylish pendants above the kitchen bench. Likewise, a range of table and floor lamps scattered around your home’s living areas will boost the ambience. Lighting doesn’t have to come at a high-end price, so be sure to shop around at homeware retailers and online, including second-hand stores. There are also some great ideas online for making and refurbishing old lampshades. You might also be thinking about adding a skylight to your home. They are great for rooms and hallways that don’t get much natural light, plus they can also add warmth and help you save on future energy costs.

Window treatments
The type and colour of a window treatment can really make or break a room. To really give your home a facelift, remove dated window coverings such as vertical blinds and old-style curtains and replace them with stylish alternatives such as roman or wood blinds, plantation shutters, bamboo shades, or quality, lined drapery. When it comes to drapery and some blind varieties, you don’t have to have them custom-made as many department stores and online retailers sell off-the-shelf options for most window sizes. If your budget doesn’t allow for new window furnishings, then give your existing coverings a good clean; a steam clean to old curtains or material blinds can bring back their vibrancy and drastically improve a room’s aesthetic.

Bring nature indoors
A high-impact and low-cost way to bring life and colour into your home is with seasonal flowers and plants. Plants are beneficial for maintaining air quality and also add an organic element to your interior decor. A bright bouquet of blooms at the entrance of your home and some statement greenery strategically placed around your main living areas not only looks good by introducing colour, texture and contrast, but has been proven to provide a host of psychological benefits including improved mood and reduced stress levels.

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