How to Make Your Home Look Great on a Budget

Interior experts offer plenty of advice for making home improvements – from loft conversions and new bathrooms to ripping out flooring and other transformational projects. But what happens if your budget doesn’t stretch to major renovations?

If that sounds like you, don’t despair. There are affordable things you can do to add value to your home and maximise how you use your living space. We have ten expert ideas for making your house look great for around £100 – and yet have a significant effect upon the appearance of your home.

1 A new coat of paint

A fresh coat of paint can transform your bedroom, hallway or living room. Painting the walls, ceiling and skirting in fresh white paint will give the room a fresh and light finish and is cheap to buy.

Add a splash of colour and instantly create a fresh new look with wall stickers. This is one of the easiest ways to transform the way your home looks. Equally, you can create a ‘feature wall’ with a more vibrant splash of colour to complement the neutral tones.

2 Update kitchen cupboards

A full kitchen refit is costly, but if your cabinets are in good order, consider repainting them. If you do the work yourself, you only need to pay for the materials. This is a fairly big DIY job, so make sure you do your research and give yourself plenty of time. But we think this is worth the effort as painting kitchen cabinets will transform your room without the equivalent costs.

If you have some money left over, splash out on new handles, fixtures and fittings. Adding LED push lights under the kitchen cabinets is a cheap alternative to downlighters.

3 Do up the front door

A fresh coat of paint for your front door will work wonders and make a great first impression on your visitors. Add a new doormat and a smart new door knocker or handle to create a new look for the exterior of your home. Done well, this can contribute significantly to the look and feel of your property – especially if you’re having photos taken of your home exterior and want to stand out on property portals.

4 Add a stair runner

The stairs are often the first thing visitors see, so if your carpet is shabby or just not to your taste laying a stylish stair runner will turn your hall into a focal point and may cost less than you think. Depending on your taste, choose a striped or bold colour to make an impact or opt for a neutral textured weave carpet.

5 Replace rusty and old-fashioned taps and plugs

Taps are an understated feature of your home. Switch your rusty and tarnished taps and plugs for a shiny modern equivalent that will put a new lease of life into your bathroom and kitchen sinks – and it will do so without costing the earth.

6 Clean grout

If the grout on your bathroom or kitchen tiles is dirty, try cleaning it using a mixture of bicarbonate of soda, water and vinegar, then scrub with an old toothbrush. This is especially effective if the rest of your bathroom is in good condition otherwise.

Re-grouting can be expensive, so if this doesn’t work, you could try using a grout pen to restore the look of stained tile grout.

7 Shampoo your carpets

Replacing all the carpets in your home is expensive. To make the most of what you have, hire a special carpet cleaner and spend a day shampooing your carpets and rugs. Similarly, you can do the same for some sofas and chairs to clean off any staining and make them look like new.

8 Hang some prints

Art on your walls can make a big difference, but there is no need to spend money on bespoke creations from fancy galleries. Framed prints are relatively cheap to buy, or if you are feeling creative, buy blank canvases and design a simple abstract piece yourself. You’ll find plenty of ideas on Pinterest.

9. Create an instant lawn

If your back garden is looking wild and uncared for, give it a tidy it up. Simply mowing and edging the lawn will make a huge difference. If your lawn still looks sad, adding an ultra-realistic artificial lawn may be cheaper than you think, especially for a small garden. Artificial grass can be as cheap as £9.99 per square metre.

10. Add shelving

You can never have too much storage. Adding shelving will help you utilise your space and prevent your home from becoming cluttered. Ikea sells shelving in many shapes and sizes, so you may be able to find a piece that fits perfectly in your alcoves or that tricky space under the stairs. If you are handy with DIY, consider making tailor-made shelves designed to fit your space and contents.

We can help

If you are thinking of selling in the Tooting, Balham or Clapham areas, we can share our expertise to help you market your property and give you an up to date valuation. Contact us to find out more about our services.

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