How to re-love your home when on a budget

Dream home? We hear that word a lot when talking with clients about design. The truth of that matter is, some of us may never ever have our dream home. For many of us our tastes and our bank account do not necessarily align. Think Gucci taste on a Target budget. That’s where most of us stand. However, that shouldn’t mean you can’t love the space you’re in.

It sure doesn't mean you can't love the home you have. If you've been following along here you've heard me say things like design your home for the season of life you're in, working with what you got sparks creativity and can actually be an opportunity, stop comparing your home to others and that everyone deserves a home that they love.

I believe that everyone house has potential to be a home. My family and I are currently shopping for a new home. We sold our house in 2017 to move across the country to turn around and come home and in all that time, we've been renting.

So trust me when I say I can help you see the potential and opportunity in your home, together we can make it a space that you enjoy, that you love and that is you.

Here are some budget friendly ways to help you love your home. By thinking creatively and taking a DIY (do-it-yourself) approach, you can make small changes with big impact.

Small cosmetic changes can go a long way. 

Most of us do not have the budget for a total house makeover. When this is the case, I suggest tackling the items in your home that date the space. For example, doors, trim, hardware, lighting.

You can save money by buying the doors and installing them yourself rather than hiring a contractor.

When replacing trim, think simple, clean lines. Stay away from the fussier pieces as they will only date your space.

Replacing the hinges and hardware can be expensive. Instead, spray paint those pieces. I like to use Rustoleum’s Oil Rubbed Bronze.

Paint can also be a life saver in the kitchen especially if you have the iconic 1990’s classic honey oak cabinets. Painting them white will automatically update your kitchen and lend itself to a timeless classic look. You can check out my Kitchen painting tutorial here.

Paint can update any space so consider painting your entire home in classic modern colours. You’d be surprised what modern paint colours can do for a home.

Another inexpensive update that only requires a flathead screwdriver is replacing all your switch plate covers.

Change your lampshades. This seemingly small detail can make a huge difference.

Install new blinds and curtains. Big box hardware stores have a plethora of blind options, cut to size service and many sales throughout the year. Check your flyers or subscribe to their email service to get notification of sales.

Rearrange your furniture. Take pieces from other rooms to recreate vignettes throughout your home. Personally, I have a bench that I love to move about my home to change up the look of a space.

Reposition you artwork. Create a new Gallery wall. If you have your artwork scattered all about your space, think about rehanging them in a grouping and at proper height.

Hang a mirror. Mirrors help bounce light about a space. I like to hang them on adjacent walls to a window.

Change little things you never think about. Your kitchen rugs, bath rugs, hallway runner, and your doormat are perfect candidates. You can even switch to a new shower curtain or buy a new bathroom vanity set. Imagine you’re moving into a place for the first time and own nothing. What would you change?

Buy a new bedding set or pillow covers. I have a variety of duvet covers in different colours and patterns that I like to use to change up the look of our bedroom. The same goes for pillow covers. I have a stack of them that allows me to easily change up the look of a room.

Add some plants and update the plastic pot they come in. I find great inexpensive ceramic pots at my local dollar store.

Clear your clutter! That alone will make your space more inviting.

When considering updates to your home, keep these elements in mind:

1. only replacing things that can’t be cosmetically upgraded,

2. use new paint to make original pieces feel modern, and making what was already there prettier,

3. Consider updates that can turn your living space into your dream home.

4. Be strategic about where to spend your money. 

   1. Take a DIY approach where you can.

   2. Use creative approaches to make your home more beautiful.

   3. Look for recycled materials- Habitat for Humanity, Salvage places, antique shops, thrift stores.

   4. Consider whether the expenditure is worth it. If your home is in a modest neighbourhood, then splurging on those marble countertops probably won’t see a ROI if you were to ever sell. However, if having marble countertops would make you extremely happy, then by all means splurge to get them.

   5. Plan your home improvement expenses. Rome wasn’t built in a day so don’t approach your home projects like a 30 minute home makeover show. Take your time, save your money, and plan plan plan.

   Have you heard? MSID offers several consultation packages as well as online design services. You can check them out here.
   

5. I would love to meet your home.