Category: Home reno

This might be your perfect chance to start home improvement this summer!

Featured image by: Mary Hannah Interiors

 Whether you’ve been dreaming of a newly remodeled patio, painting your front door, or renovating your bathroom for a more relaxed coastal look, you can get all this done by making good use of the time indoors.

However, as much as you are itching to remodel your home, it’s important to note that home improvement projects can easily become bank busters. But the good news is, there are a lot of cost-effective ideas you can explore to get the most out of your remodeling budget. Here are some:

An interior Paint Job

A coat of new fresh paint can dramatically make everything look brand new. Unlike wallpaper, there are a lot of ways to cut corners and get your desired look for less.

While painting, consider doing it yourself. Contrary to what most people think, painting is not difficult at all. Almost everyone can do it independently and successfully without hiring painting experts.

Here are a few tips to help you DIY:

– Start off by making a plan for your desired look. Measure the size of your walls and ceilings and also note down all the necessary tools you require.
– Ensure you protect all interior elements such as sockets, lamps, and light switches using a drop cloth
– Start by painting your ceiling then your walls (not the other way round)
– Avoid taking long breaks in between your painting sessions

A Bathroom Remodel

Photo: via

Bathrooms have always landed a top spot in many home improvement lists. To avoid spending megabucks, consider the following cost-saving tips.

1. Limit the amount of tile in your bathroom

Laying out tile gets expensive when you have a large area to cover. You can limit your tile coverage by only laying it on the floor only instead of the floor and the walls.

2. Avoid spending much on your countertops

Granite countertops, which are a popular trend now, can easily wreck your remodeling budget. Since your bathroom countertop is small, consider spending on a fairly low priced countertop to save some money. You can do this by shopping for secondhand countertops or by choosing less popular colors which are a bit cheaper.

3. Clean the caulk and grout

Though often overlooked, the caulk and grout can easily get unsightly when left for long. By simply cleaning caulk and grout you can freshen up your bathroom inexpensively.

Revamp your Old Floor

Replacing your scratched and worn out floor can easily change the look of your interior. When it comes to flooring the most sought after material is wood. Even though it’s beautiful, wood is quite expensive. Unlike in the past where wooden floors were the only option, there are a lot of beautiful and inexpensive flooring materials now available in the market at a much lower cost. Here are some:

• Bamboo flooring – bamboo is almost similar to hardwood but a lot cheaper and durable.
• Laminate flooring- Laminate flooring is a cheap alternative to wood flooring and has so many different varieties to choose from. It is also a smart choice if you have children or pets.
• Porcelain tiles – Porcelain tiles are less expensive than wood. You can minimize the cost even further by laying the tiles yourself.
• Cork flooring – Cork flooring is a natural and eco-friendly product that’s easy to install. It is also attractive and easy to clean up.

A Minor Kitchen Remodel

Photo By: Crown Point Cabinetry

Being one of the most utilized spaces, an improved kitchen can add beauty and functionality to your home. Here are some of the ways you can improve your kitchen without spending a lot of money;

1. Avoid replacing your kitchen cabinets – update them

While almost all the focus is always on the kitchen cabinets, you don’t have to spend thousands on new cabinets if the current set in your kitchen is in good shape.

You can do a few simple upgrades such as sanding, re-staining, and repainting to make them look better and up-to-date.

2. Go for budget countertops

You can easily save up on countertops by simply shopping around. Instead of getting your countertops from designers, you can shop at discount granite shops or from home improvement stores to save even more.

3. Work on your lighting

Brighten up your kitchen with new warmer lights. Avoiding overly dim lighting will make your kitchen feel more bright, warmer, and welcoming.

Give your HVAC a Tune-up

HVAC systems are often taken for granted – until they fail. They can cost thousands to repair or replace. It is, therefore, a wise idea to give your HVAC system a tune-up as we head for the summer.

Here are HVAC maintenance ideas to help you keep your HVAC systems working for longer:

1. Change the air filters regularly – most disposable air filters should be replaced every 60-90 days.

2. Keep the AC units clear of any dirt, branches, and debris. A buildup of materials in your AC’s will cause problems in their performance.

3. Get Maintenance from HVAC companies (like Eastern Shore Heating & Air Conditioning). The little repairs can save you the much higher cost of replacing your entire HVAC system in case it breaks down.

You Don’t Have to Break the Bank

Home improvement doesn’t have to cost you thousands. Try out these affordable improvement ideas to spruce up your home’s curb appeal during this lockdown period.