Affordable Ways to Update Your Dated Home Without Remodeling
Does your home look dated but a full renovation isn't in the budget? This video by Kristen McGowan offers easy and affordable solutions to refresh your space:
Table of contents
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Bathroom Refresh
- Elevate the Shower Curtain: Ditch the standard shower curtain rod height. Raise it to near the ceiling or use a ceiling-mounted rod with a longer curtain. This creates a more modern look and makes the bathroom feel larger. Opt for neutral or timeless patterned curtains.
N&Y HOME Waffle Weave Shower Curtain
Organic Luxe Waffle Shower Curtain
Waffle Weave Shower Curtain - Threshold™
Update Your Floor Plan
- Create a Mudroom: If you lack a mudroom, consider building one against a hallway wall, near the entryway, or garage entry. Include hooks, cubbies, benches, and storage for a functional drop-off zone.
Homode Wall Hooks with Shelf
HOOBRO Hall Tree with Bench
HOOBRO Coat Rack Shoe Bench Set
- Repurpose Rooms: Transform an underused formal sitting room into a home office with a desk, doors, and new furniture.
Kitchen Remodel on a Budget
- Open Up the Space: Consider removing bulky upper cabinets to create a more open and modern feel. Paint the lower cabinets for a refresh. You can reuse the removed cabinets in other areas of the house for additional storage.
- Mobile Kitchen Island: Add functionality and style with a mobile kitchen island. It provides extra counter space, storage, and can even seat people. Choose an island that complements your existing kitchen design.
Amazon has a wide range of mobile kitchen islands, ranging from $70-250:
Casual Home Kitchen Island
IRONCK Rolling Kitchen Island
Homestyles Mobile Kitchen Island
Yaheetech Rolling Kitchen Island
Exterior Refresh
- Paint Your Exterior: A fresh coat of paint can dramatically transform your home's exterior. You can paint the entire house, shutters, windows, doors, or even siding and brick.
I recently discovered Samplize, which is a site where you can order a stick-on sample of paint color, so you can test it in your home. They also have images of paint colors in different areas of the home.
Here are three ideas for home exterior colors:
Benjamin Moore Black Beauty 2128-10
Benjamin Moore Kennebunkport Green HC-123
Sherwin-Williams White Heron 7627
Quick Fixes
- Refresh Window Trim and Mullions: Update dated window trim and mullions with a new coat of paint. Black is a trendy option that creates a bold contrast.
- Light Up Your Space: Replace outdated light fixtures, like ceiling fans and fluorescent lights, with modern options. This brightens your space and adds a design element.
My favorite place for light fixtures is Wayfair. Here are three examples of modern light fixtures with very different designs:
Burcker 4 - Light Aluminum Dimmable LED Modern Linear Chandelier
Soleil 5 - Light Dimmable Kitchen Island Square / Rectangle Chandelier
Glint 6 - Light Dimmable Sphere Chandelier
Bonus Tip
- Staircase Runner: Consider adding a graphic carpet runner to an old staircase. This is a great way to add a pop of color and update the look without a major renovation.
Amazon has a couple of cute options or you can buy a regular runner-style rug and DIY the staircase yourself:
jinchan Area Rug 2x8
Westerly Marash Luxury Collection 25' Stair Runner
By following these tips, you can update your dated home without breaking the bank. What do you think of these ideas?
Let me know your thoughts and any suggestions you have for doing a mini-renovation to your home on a budget in the comments below.
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