Sometimes, it is best not to move but improve. To make your home more livable, there are times when only a few creative tweaks are necessary. Whether you want to upgrade your living room experience or you want to embrace a new house theme or palette, there are ways you can maximize while optimizing your budget–of course, who would not want to save more while gaining more? 

If you're a natural DIY-er, you're surely on track to saving more bucks. Otherwise, with the right planning, you can still transform your house into a well-loved space without breaking the bank.

To help you identify how you can renovate your house on a budget, we have rounded up a selection of easy upgrades for your next home level-up project. Let’s read on!

Ways to creatively level up your home look

1. Repaint your walls

If your goal is to give your house a new look and feel, you can never go wrong with a simple coat of paint in a small space in your home. 

If you want to make your living room more lively, replace your wall paint with brighter colors that suit your home theme. Keep your colors light and bright to make even the tiniest bathrooms and home spaces look larger. When purchasing at a hardware store, consider quality paint and be sure it’s kept safe to prevent molds and mildew

2. Ditch or do up your front door

Your home’s facade always makes a lasting impression. What better way to showcase home improvement than by changing your old front door or repainting and redecorating it? 

A fresh coat of paint can surely work wonders for your existing door. It does not only revive the door’s look but also amps up how your exterior design looks. If you think there’s a need to already replace your old one, make sure to choose one that perfectly complements your walls, and has a handy or smart new knocker or handle. 

3. Build bespoke shelves

Sometimes, we just need lots of storage spaces where we can keep the extra home items that we cannot afford to dispose of. What helps is to build shelves or cabinets. You can put them in tricky corners of your home to avoid awkward recesses and utilize every nook and cranny. 

To make sure it fits well in your corners, it makes sense to have the cabinets or shelves customized. Just be sure to use quality materials that last longer–this way, you get to be cost-effective.

4. Reupholster an old sofa

Instead of throwing away worn-out or old furniture, breathe new life into it by reupholstering it. This is more practical because you do not only get to cut down on the waste but also save more money. What’s good with reupholstery is that the frame and springs of your sofa will still be reused, hence reducing your waste that goes into landfills.

If you think your old sofa still serves its purpose, you may opt to just redecorate it by putting on a new sofa cover. Get creative as you do a sofa makeover! 

5. Lay a stair runner

When your visitors enter your house, stairs often get the initial attention. It also somehow gives a glimpse of your next floors. Keep it comfortable to use and in style by considering putting a runner. This is a practical, economical, and stylish way to cover a staircase. They help cover scuffs and stains as well as reduce noise, add warmth, and boost the comfortability of those stepping on them. Keep it in style by choosing a bold-colored or striped runner. You can also opt for a classic color with a pale pile or neutral weave. 

6. Add a faux island in the kitchen

For an island-less kitchen, stand-alone tables or cabinets can be a cost-effective feature you may want to consider. You simply need to add rolling casters so you can move the piece anytime and anywhere you want. 

7. Change window treatments your the rooms

To give your space–whether your living room or bedroom–a pretty facelift, consider installing new shades or fabric curtains. There are ready-made ones that you can simply install or you can also opt for sew-it-yourself or customized options. 

To save more money, make sure to reuse existing curtain rods and rings. 

8. Install new light features

Let’s all admit it, dining rooms are often stuck in a fixture time warp lighting. To give your ceiling space a game-changing look, you may install new and appealing light fixtures depending on your home theme. You may consider a traditional chandelier or a more contemporary-looking light, like the ones with several pendants.

In conclusion

Home renovation does not always have to be costly. Heed the tips above and consider DIY options to keep your budget optimized. Before throwing away items that you think need to be replaced, consider upcycling them. Remember, check out ways to improve before deciding to move.

If you're considering securing a loan to buy a new house, remember to also know the proper requirements and how you can gain a good credit score to buy a house.

Guest Contributor: Sophia Young