New Home Tips: Quick, Budget Fixes for Features You Don’t Like
Living
You’re moved in and the boxes are unpacked. Now is the time to assess what needs doing.
You probably noted the areas of your new home that needed updating before you bought it. In fact, your home purchase even might have been a compromise between what you needed, what you wanted, and your budget.
Renovations can be long and costly. If you don’t have time to begin one right this second, or you need to wait to save money to tear out the kitchen, re-do the bathroom, or overhaul the back patio, there are still small changes you can make right now. These new home tips will make your space more pleasing and livable until you can haul out the big guns.
New Home Tips for a Fresher Look on a Budget
These little changes can add up to a big impact for not much money at all. Utilize them while you’re waiting to start larger renovations.
Paint the Walls
A fresh coat of paint can work wonders to brighten a room, change the mood, and give it an updated feel. If the previous homeowners were fond of crazy colors or dated faux finishes (think sponge painting), paint the walls with a calming, neutral-toned color for a new start and a clean backdrop to show off your furniture and artwork.
Plus, a few gallons of paint cost less than $100 and can completely transform a space. That’s great bang for your buck, making this change one of the top new home tips.
Install New Light Fixtures
Those dated fixtures from 1972 are dragging down your décor. Update them with modern lighting in the style you prefer. You’ll be stunned at how much this small change can contribute to the overall look of a room.
Add a New Shower Head
Bathrooms that are old, dingy, outdated, or dark can be hard to live with while you’re saving funds to demo the whole thing and start from scratch.
You can offset the wait by installing a new shower head to make you feel like you’re at the spa. Choose one with multiple settings, like massaging jets, or try a rain shower for a calming start to your day.
Put Up Curtains
One mistake that many homeowners make is neglecting to put up curtains and instead living with vertical blinds. Beyond providing privacy, blinds do little for décor, and mainly make a room feel cold and impersonal.
In contrast, curtains not only make a room feel homier, they also make a space feel finished and polished. Put up a curtain rod with architectural interest, and choose the nicest panels you can afford in a beautiful fabric, like linen, brushed cotton, or velvet.
Change the Hardware
If you can’t update your kitchen right now, changing the cabinet hardware is the most minimal way to update the room without much effort. Ditch the dated handles and knobs for something sleeker and more modern.
Small Changes Add Up Big Time
The tiniest modifications can make a big difference to your décor while you’re waiting to start a renovation. Choose any of these budget-friendly new home tips and make your space instantly more livable.