If you want to transform your current house into your dream home, money can be a limiting factor. After all, how are you going to make a big splash with a small budget? It turns out that you don’t need millions in the bank to completely revamp your space. There are plenty of ways to add high-end details to your property without creating a giant hole in your wallet. We’ve compiled some of the best ideas you can try out in your own home below.
Tip #1: Add crown molding
What separates a beautiful house from a plain house can be distilled down to one concept: details. Crown molding, for example, is a great way to provide extra oomph to the rooms in your home. Crown molding not only beautifully transitions the walls into the ceiling, but it’s also fairly inexpensive, especially if you take it on yourself as a weekend project. This type of molding is available in a variety of widths, so you can easily customize the exact look you want or need for a room. For the biggest impact, a wider crown molding will provide a bigger splash.
You can also consider adding other types of molding to your home, like high baseboards, ceiling medallions, and more.
Tip #2: Transform an unused space into a guest bedroom
Perhaps you’re preparing your residence for its future as a multigenerational home, or maybe you just want a nice guest bedroom. Whatever the case, creating an inviting space for visitors or live-in relatives can be difficult if you’re not sure where to start.
Here are a few key pieces you may want to consider adding to a guest bedroom:
Comfortable mattress: Choose a memory foam or a hybrid mattress for maximum comfort.
High thread-count sheets: The thread-count of your sheets will make a huge difference in how comfortable they are. Opt for higher thread counts so your guests can rest easy.
Plenty of storage: Make sure the guest bedroom has a chest of drawers or wardrobe for guests to place their luggage and clothing.
A calming color palette: Soft greens, neutral whites, and gentle blues can make a guest bedroom feel spa-like.
Tip #3: Change up your paint colors
The paint you choose for the rooms in your home is an incredibly important decision. After all, your paint will determine the color scheme of the rest of your décor. If you’re looking for elegance and luxury, the right color palette on the walls can add instant polish.
You can choose from dramatic paint colors or softer, muted tones that allow you to add in pops of brighter color through your decorations.
You can also create simple stripes with painter’s tape or add in an interesting accent wall to make a dull room more cheerful. If you don’t feel like painting, you may want to consider adding wallpaper or creating your own gallery wall with picture frames and art.
Tip #4: Mix and match unique hardware finishes
Drawer pulls and cabinet knobs can be pretty boring if you go with stock models. With that said, you can give your home more personality if you opt for unique finds instead. Visit local flea markets and antique shops for a more whimsical aesthetic in your kitchen. Mix and match knobs and handles to give your kitchen cabinets a more casual, shabby chic feel, for example.
Tip #5: Create a comfortable atmosphere with lighting
Lighting is essential for any room in your home because it sets the mood and makes a space liveable. You’ll want a mix of task lighting and overhead lighting for even illumination throughout a room.
Consider adding fairy lights to your living room or bedroom to make these spaces feel cozier and happier. You can even drape fairy lights within a window treatment to create a magical, breezy look.
Tip #6: Add greenery
Even if you don’t consider yourself much of a plant person, you might be surprised by how much a little greenery can change the entire feel of a room. Plants not only help increase the amount of oxygen in your home, they’re also scientifically proven to reduce stress. If you’re worried about killing your house plants, choose low-effort options that don’t need much water or light. Below are some low maintenance plants you can add to your bathroom, living room, or other indoor spaces:
Chinese evergreen
Snake plant
Ponytail palm
Maidenhair fern
Jade plant
Christmas cactus
Philodendrons
Fiddle leaf fig tree
Aloe plant
Wax plant
Tip #7: Swap out your throw pillows
If your living room couch is looking a little sadder than usual, consider switching out your throw pillows. New throw pillows can immediately spruce up your living room.
Tip #8: Use Craigslist and thrift stores for cheap, unique pieces
People all over the country are constantly moving. For you, that means potential furniture finds that are barely used. You can also check the “free” section of Craigslist where people are simply trying to offload things like furniture, housewares, and even trees before moving. OfferUp is another good place to peruse deals on gently used items, as well.
And don’t forget about thrift stores and resale shops when you’re looking for furnishings and accessories for your home. Goodwill, for instance, often has hidden gems waiting to be discovered and antique stores might offer you accessories you can’t get anywhere else.
There is also an online network you can leverage called Freecycle, where locals pass their unwanted belongings to others for free. You just go to the main Freecycle.org site and enter in your location to find a Freecycle group in your local area.
Tip #9: Hide clutter
Clutter is inevitable at times. Mail piles up, kids make messes, and your partner loves throwing his socks all over. However, one great way to fight clutter is by creating storage where you need it most. Use a cable organizer to keep your electronics organized and neat. Add cube storage in playrooms so your children have an easy way to put away toys. Create a robust laundry basket system so you and your family always have a way to logically separate clothing items.
A tidy space is an easy way to make your entire home feel more welcoming and calmer. Sometimes decluttering can be a huge job. Call the professionals at H2H Organizing for all your organizational needs.
Takeaways: Creating your dream home, one DIY step at a time
Although a large budget and a professional interior designer can create a magical space, homeowners can easily make DIY improvements without spending much. Creating your dream home without breaking the bank means being creative, getting a little dirty, and most importantly, having a little fun.
Author Bio
Samantha Rupp holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration. She is the managing editor for 365businesstips.com as well as runs a personal blog, mixedbitsmedia.com. She lives in San Diego, California and enjoys spending time on the beach, reading up on current industry trends, and traveling.