They say that an Englishman’s home is his castle and, while that may sound rather grand, even a castle needs a bit of a refresh now and again. With the country in the grip of a cost of living crisis, you may be thinking that you simply can’t afford to renovate your home at the moment – and there, you would be wrong.
In this article, we’re going to take you through some brilliant ways of how to renovate your home with a small budget.
A captivating kitchen
From putting the kettle on to preparing meals and entertaining guests, the kitchen gets a fair old amount of use and, as such, can start to look a little tired quite quickly.
Many make the mistake of assuming that updating their kitchen means spending thousands of pounds on having brand new units fitted and lots of mess and disruption while the refit is underway. Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case.
At Kitchen Makeovers, we offer a much easier and more affordable option to homeowners to allow them to refresh their kitchens without getting into debt. Our qualified and experienced team swoop in like a gang of kitchen ninjas to replace kitchen items such as worktops, cupboard doors, drawer fronts and fixtures.
Not only will this save you big bucks, but it can usually be completed within a few days for the minimum disruption to you and your family. Similarly, replacing and updating inexpensive features such as splashback and lino can give your kitchen a new lease of life without breaking the bank.
Livening up the living room
Another room that we spend a lot of time in is the living room and, during the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular, many people became sick of the sight of the same old four walls and decor.
Again, you don’t need to shell out a ton of cash to give your living room a boost; there are a few things you can do which are not only quick and easy but inexpensive too. Some of these are:
- A lick of paint – One of the quickest ways to freshen up your living room is by refreshing the paintwork. You can usually do this yourself, and all it will cost you is the price of a couple of tins of paint.
- Statement wallpaper – These days, there are some great options available when it comes to wallpaper, and you can give your room a whole new look just by using this paper to create a statement wall – simples!
- Sofa and chair covers – It may be that, like many people, your budget doesn’t stretch to a new three-piece suite, and it doesn’t have to. Lots of retailers such as Dunelm sell inexpensive sofa and chair covers in a wide range of colours and fabrics. These are a fantastic way of updating your decor without having the bank manager at your door.
- Lighting – Your living room lighting can, quite literally, transform your room. Try shopping around for quirky and unusual lights and shades, and don’t be afraid to play around with different combinations.
- The floor show – If you can’t quite stretch to a new carpet for your living room, you can still upscale your floor by investing in a great quality rug.
Hallway hacks
Often the first part of your home you see after walking through the front door, the sight of your hallway may have started to make you feel a little ‘meh’.
You don’t have to spend a fortune to update a shabby or drab hallway; here are a few things you might want to try instead:
- Wall panelling – A relatively easy and inexpensive way of making your hall look on-trend, wood panels can be fitted yourself (check out some DIY guides on YouTube), and panels are relatively cheap from DIY stores.
- Mud bench – Investing in a mud bench or a funky coat stand will help keep your hallway uncluttered and add an interesting feature.
- Stair carpet – More than any other part of the house, stair carpets can start to look shabby and threadbare really quickly. New carpet can be bought and installed relatively cheaply, and updating your stair carpet to a bright colour or interesting pattern can help make your hallway a feature of your home.
Boosting the bathroom
When you’re on a tight budget, a brand new bathroom may well be out of the question, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with what you’ve got.
Adding new accessories such as cupboards, towel rails, and other accessories can be a breath of fresh air for a tired bathroom. Refreshing grouting can also give the room a brighter, cleaner look – and can be done by cleaning or buying an inexpensive grout replacement kit from a DIY store or online.
Nothing makes a bathroom look worse than grubby grouting and water-stained baths and sinks. A solution of white vinegar and bicarbonate of soda (along with a bit of elbow grease) can be great for removing stubborn stains and restoring your white goods to their former glory.
And so to bed
The bedroom is possibly the easiest room to update. Uninspiring walls can be refreshed cheaply and easily with a lick of paint, new accessories and, of course, new bedding. Add some oversized cushions to create a haven of calm.
Storage is key when it comes to bedrooms, as a crowded and cluttered room is anything but relaxing. If you lack wardrobe space, scour antique shops and websites for old-style travelling trunks, which will add valuable storage space and an interesting feature to the room.
Sticking to a single colour in your bedroom can give it a fresh and appealing look, and pastels such as pale blue are particularly effective in providing the appearance of a bright, airy place to wind down.
A refresh without the fuss
Renovating your home doesn’t have to mean a second mortgage and a whole load of mess and hassle. At a time when budgets are tighter than ever, getting creative with your home is absolutely essential. While you may need to make a small investment on things like new kitchen features and fittings, other items such as tins of paint and DIY tools needn’t break the bank.
If you’ve never tried your hand at DIY before, there’s really nothing to be afraid of. There are tons of excellent guides and videos to help you on your way, and many of these provide step-by-step instructions to ensure that you don’t take a wrong turn.
At Kitchen Makeovers, our clients always tell us that the kitchen is one of the most important rooms in their home. We’re proud to provide a fast, hassle-free and affordable solution that will not only make your kitchen look great but may also add value to your home when it comes to moving on.
