I’m sure the new First Family will be making some updates in the White House soon after they move in.  Given the National Debt and current economic situation, I hope they follow the frugal ideas I’m advocating here too!

Home improvement spruce up can be done on a budget

The cool thing is that we don’t have to spend a fortune to make a real difference when it comes to sprucing up our homes a bit.  In fact, there are some powerful, but inexpensive ways that my wife and I have recently made updates in our home. 

I focus on easy things that I can do myself.  I am in no way a home improvement guru.  The thought of taking on bigger remodeling projects that go beyond the surface is daunting to me.  The do-it-yourself ideas I recommend are easy enough for anyone to accomplish.

Here are some home improvements that we have done

1.  Paint the walls

It is absolutely amazing to me how a different color of paint can entirely change a room.  Over the last nine years, we have painted just about every room in our home.  Our house looks completely different now compared to when we bought it. 

Paint seems to personalize a space.  Different colors create different feelings.  We like warm earth tones.  They create the kind of atmosphere we want for our home.

Of course, with the wide selection of paint colors available, you can customize your home any way you like.  It just takes time, imagination, and a little elbow grease.

2.  Rearrange the furniture

When my mom got bored with our home, she always rearranged the furniture.  This one easy thing can completely change the feel of a room.  It brings a sense of newness and it doesn’t cost a dime.

Of course, you can go beyond just moving what is already in a room.  I suggest taking an overall approach.  Look at all the furniture in your house and think about moving pieces from one space to another.  This can radically change the way your home feels.

I have one last suggestion concerning furniture.  Get rid of some of it!  Decluttering by eliminating one or more pieces altogether can help make your home feel more spacious and comfortable.

3.  Enhance the landscaping

The way we feel about our home goes beyond what it looks like on the inside.  Does your home have curb appeal?  One of the most powerful ways to improve the outside look of your home is to add some nice landscaping.

Many landscaping companies will do a design for you for free or at a very reasonable price.  I suggest letting a professional help you with the layout.  Once you have a plan, then the only thing that stands between you and a better looking home is some hard work.

If you already have some landscaping, you might think about trimming things up a bit and throwing in some flowers for a splash of color.  These two efforts alone will make a vast improvement in your home’s external appearance.

4.  Update the flooring

Flooring like laminate, hardwood, tile and carpet can be very expensive.  However, it is possible to do smaller jobs on a budget.  We have replaced the tile in both of our bathrooms without spending a fortune.

One way to do this is to buy the new flooring at a builders supply outlet.  You can then hire an independent contractor to do the installation if you are not comfortable doing it yourself.  This approach worked for us and saved us a bundle.  Be sure to ask around and find a contractor with a good reputation.

Another inexpensive way to change the look of a room is to buy a large area rug.  These can often be found on sale and can have a dramatic effect on the looks of a room.

5.  Change the lighting

The lighting in a room can set the mood.  This is why we always dim the lights and use candles when we want a little romance.  Changing the light fixtures in a room is an excellent way to control the environment.

Light fixtures vary widely in cost, but can often be found on sale at good prices if you shop around a little.  I have changed out a few fixtures in our home and have found it to be pretty easy.  Of course, please be sure you shut off the breaker and take other precautions when dealing with electricity.

Sprucing up is a lot cheaper than moving up!

Yes, it costs a little to spruce up your home, but it is certainly a lot cheaper than moving up to a fancier house or running for President!  Every time my wife and I get the itch to buy a different home, we decide to spruce up instead.  This helps us maintain our satisfaction with our present home which saves us a bundle of money.  We love making our home our refuge!

What ways have you found to improve and spruce up your home on a budget?

Other articles you might enjoy:

• 52 Tips to Make Your Home Irresistible to Buyers
• Lackluster Walls At Home – Low on extra funds-  Think Outside The Box
• 29 Tips to Prepare Your Home for Winter
• Storage Secrets for Small Spaces
• How I saved $1,000s on remodeling and home maintenance and you can Do It Yourself too!

Photo by Scott Ableman