There you are one fine morning standing just outside your house and taking in some healthy morning light. Then suddenly you start to notice it. As your gaze moves around your neighborhood, a frightening revelation dawns on you. Your house looks outdated compared to your neighbors’!
It’s like your house got stuck in the ‘80s, while every other house around it kept up with the times. It can easily be true, especially for houses that were bought secondhand, with not so much renovation done in the past decade or even longer.
You might be thinking what a great expense it will be if you do a major renovation right now? And now is not a good time as you do not have the money for it.
Do not fret. Did you know that you do not have to spend a fortune just to make your house start looking new again? There are even some things that you can do on your own, especially if you have home decorating skills. Here are some low-cost things that you can do to give your house a refreshed look:
Give it a new color
A splash of new paint can immediately make your house look like it’s the new kid on the block or, let’s just say, a newcomer. You can retain the same color as it originally had, but you’ll just have to make it look cleaner. But if you are aiming for that refreshed appearance and some wow factor, you need to give it a new hue.
You might need to learn how to mix and match colors so that you can get your desired look. The good thing is that there are now apps that you can use to easily do it. You don’t have to be a fine arts graduate to choose the perfect colors for your home.
Update your bathroom
Do not freak out because updating your bathroom does not mean completely overhauling it. There are still affordable ways to get it done. For one, you can have your bathroom floor and tiles replaced with inexpensive materials. You can also have a new shower system, a new sink, or a new tub installed. Of course, you cannot have all these at the same time if your budget does not permit it.
If you have the know-how, you can do it yourself, but nothing beats having it done by a professional. Get the bathroom remodeling job done right the first time, so consider hiring a contractor.
Bring in some new furniture
New pieces of furniture have two benefits: they immediately refresh the room you place them in, and you’ll feel more comfortable sitting down or using them. Take for example a new sofa. If your current one is old and worn-out, your bum and back will feel better if you are sitting on a new sofa. Did you know that the average lifespan of a sofa is seven to 15 years. So if yours is older than that, then it really needs to be replaced.
New pieces of furniture can be conversation starters as well. Put in some new patio furniture, and you can invite your neighbors or friends over for a barbecue or an afternoon tea. They will surely notice the new furniture outside and talk to you about them.
Add some mirrors for the illusion of space
Does your home feel too cramped? If you do not have the money or space to make it larger, installing mirrors can solve the problem. The eyes can be tricked into thinking that a room is larger than it really is when they look at mirrors around it. The larger the mirror, the better, so try to go for floor-length mirrors when possible.
Landscape your garden or lawn
Perhaps the main reason your house looks outdated or even boring is that the front yard is too unkempt. It may no longer be enough that you rake the leaves regularly. Your garden or lawn maybe in dire need of a makeover.
You can try by trimming the trees and the bushes. Plant some new plants, particularly some colorful flowers that will attract both butterflies and passersby.
All You Need Is Some Imagination
While your wallet maybe limited, your imagination can be limitless. Just let it run wild and see where it will take you when it comes to adding new life to your old home. You can find inspirations everywhere, from TV shows, magazines, to even your own neighbors’ homes. Remember that you are not stealing anything; you are merely looking for inspiration.
