Making simple DIY home renovations is a great way to update your home on a budget.
A wise person once said, if you want something done right, do it yourself. Well, what if we told you that doing it yourself would not only result in a properly done job, but could save you a ton of money as well? DIY home renovations have become all the rage recently with all the popular programming on channels like HGTV, and of course, the DIY Network—and with good reason. A lot of services you pay money for could be done pretty easily yourself with the right instruction and guidance. Not only does it save you a lot of money, the sense of pride you feel in making home improvements yourself is unmatched. So without further ado, we’re going to show you a few ideas that could help you make some major changes to your home without leaving a major hole in your wallet.
A lot of services you pay money for could be done pretty easily yourself with the right instruction and guidance.
1. Efficiency > size
Kitchen remodels are “in” right now. Many people want more space in their kitchens; others just want a different look. If you’re looking for more space, why not try using the space you do have more efficiently? There’s no reason to spend all that money taking out walls when a few minor changes can give you all the space you need. Sub out those space-eating shelves for pullout drawers with racks for cans and other items. This way, you’re getting three or more planes to store things where otherwise you would only get one. It may take a few hundred bucks to deck out your cabinets with these more efficient upgrades, but you’ll save 20 times that amount by skipping the remodel you thought was necessary.
2. paint!
Perhaps one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to upgrade your home on your own is painting! A fresh coat of paint can make a room look clean and new, which can translate into increased value. When picking colors, keep in mind that neutrals appeal to the greatest number of people, therefore making your home more desirable to a larger number of people. The average gallon of paint costs around $25, so buy a few gallons, rollers, brushes and whatever else you’ll need and bring out your inner artist!
3. Floor upgrade
Giving your wooden floors a refresh is a good way to give your home a new look. Sand your natural wood floor and apply a new coat of varnish. If they’re stained, apply wood stain in the same color. There are plenty of videos online that can guide you through the process of sanding and varnishing your floors, but if you deem the task to be beyond your capabilities, painting your floors or using peel-and-stick tiles in some areas can go a long way in giving your home a needed upgrade.
4. Demo It Yourself
Finally, the fun stuff. Knocking stuff down isn’t as expensive as building, but you can still save a lot of money if you do it yourself. Be cautioned, though: the process can be risky depending on what you plan to demo. Experts caution to stay away from doing demo on interior spaces unless you’ve done it before so you don’t knock down a load-bearing wall or mess with any wiring or plumbing. Outdoor spaces like a deck or porch should be simple enough for a novice to handle. So grab a mallet and some protective eyewear and get ready to rumble!
5. Rejuvenate your bathroom
Redoing a bathroom is one of the more popular DIY home renovations. But the level of difficulty of a full remodel is much higher than DIY level. There’s no need to shell out the cash for a full renovation when you can upgrade a few minor details yourself and give your bathroom a new, refreshing look. Try upgrading the hardware and fixtures in the bathrooms, but keep it simple. Minor home upgrades like new cabinet pulls are as easy to install as 1-2-3. Replacing shower doors and showerheads and adding storage shelves can give your bathroom new life. Minus spending the thousands of dollars you would if you went with a renovation.
Totally not a DIYer?
If, after all of this, you still don’t think you have the chops to do it yourself—or you’ve just got a home renovation job that’s too big—we offer renovation loans for eligible home renovations.
Do you have any good tips for DIY home renovations? We’re all ears! Share them with us on social media!
