5 frugal house improvements for homeowners on a budget

By NextHome Staff
January 12, 2023

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Most people think that home improvement projects are costly. However, you don’t have to spend a lot to update and spruce up your home. Sometimes, a few upgrades here and there can give your home a new lease on life.

For the frugal homeowners willing to put some elbow grease, this article shares numerous home improvement ideas that can help transform your home on a budget. Read on!

1) Waterproof your basement

One of the frugal home improvements you can take on is waterproofing your basement. This is crucial in ensuring your home is free from any leakage or long-term moisture, which may cause mould growth. Moreover, a dry basement–whether finished or unfinished–can guarantee your home’s overall structure and increase your home’s value.

Fortunately, basement waterproofing is one of those home improvement projects experienced DIYers can do on a budget. Depending on the condition of your basement, you can simply apply a waterproof seal to the foundation walls and add interior foundation coatings. Aside from that, you’ll need to work on several areas to stop water from getting into your basement. For instance, you can grade the soil away from your home and add a robust drainage system.

A more cost-effective method is to hire a reliable basement waterproofing contractor. Thanks to their experience and access to the necessary tools, waterproofing pros can finish the project faster and more efficiently the first time. This saves you time and prevents subpar work that may cause more damage in the long term. You can research online to learn more about professional waterproofing services and where to find one.

2) Paint your walls

One of the best ways to spruce up your home is to simply re-paint the walls. A new coat of paint can instantly breathe new life into any room. You can simply re-paint an old, dingy wall paint or go for another colour to give the space a different character to what you’re used to.

If your wall paint is only a few years old, but you still want to add new vibes to the space, you can add a statement wall. A statement wall can make the space look more dynamic, unique, and richer. You can opt for vibrant colours such as orange or red or use playful patterns.

3) Add a unique backsplash

Kitchens may be utilitarian spaces, but they don’t have to be grimy and boring. You can make your kitchen look more interesting and inviting by adding a unique backsplash. Installing a backsplash not only helps protect your kitchen walls against water and moisture damage as well as stains, but it can also make your washing and cooking area more visually appealing.

Generally, you’ll find various backsplash in exciting patterns or fun colours. You can also find them in different materials such as stone, glass, tile, or ceramic. With such a broad range of options, you’ll surely find the best ones that fit your budget and style.

4) Dress the windows

Installing window treatments is one of the cheapest ways to add elegance to your home and much-needed privacy. It also helps make any space look finished while controlling the amount of light.

When choosing window treatments, ensure you look for elegant materials such as cotton, natural silk, or linen. Although these materials tend to be more expensive, they can provide sophistication to your home and should last for years. If you’re not into draperies and prefer adding privacy, look for bamboo shades or window blinds.

5) Decorate with plants

In the past few years, outdoor living has become a hot trend in the home improvement industry. So, as people crave more outdoor elements, lush greenery and plants have become favourite decorative items in most homes.

Plants can effectively make any dull, boring room look welcoming, fresh, and lively. By adding some flowering plants and greenery, you can instantly elevate your home without spending too much money or time.

Aside from improving overall aesthetics, plants also offer numerous health benefits to you and your family. For instance, plants are well known for cleaning the air in space while providing significant positive impacts on your mental well-being.

With the various benefits it offers, consider decorating your home with plants. Even if you don’t have the time or skills to care for plants, you’ll be glad to know that there are numerous low-maintenance plants available you can incorporate into your home.

Takeaway

As you can see, you don’t need to spend too much to give your home a new look. If your home is long overdue for a makeover, take inspiration from the above decorating ideas to help upgrade your home without breaking the bank.

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