The average family moves every few years. Sometimes there’s a functional need for the move – such as moving into a new school district, adding a bedroom, or downsizing. Other times, people move because they want something fresh or new. But moving for purely aesthetic purposes is expensive. What if you could totally change the look and feel of your current home for $10,000 or less? Believe it or not, it’s possible!
If you have $10,000 to spend on a renovation, you have more money than you realize. While you won’t be able to do everything you want, there are a handful of things you can do to improve the look and functionality of your house. And though you won’t be able to do all of the following, you should be able to pick a few:
Visually, kitchen cabinets take up a lot of space in the kitchen. A simple tweak to your existing cabinets can change the entire look of your kitchen. And because the kitchen is one of the most heavily trafficked rooms in the home, you can get a lot of bang for your buck with this one simple project.
Traditional colored cabinets – such as white, brown, or black – will always be in style. However, it’s also trendy to finish cabinets in a navy or yellow tone. Just make sure you won’t get tired of whatever look you choose. This isn’t a project you want to redo next year.
Depending on the amount of time you have on your hands, you could feasibly paint your own cabinets for just a couple of hundred dollars in materials. If your hardware is dated, this is a great time to replace knobs and drawer pulls with some sleeker, modern options.
Do you have an older house that feels tight and closed-off? Removing one or more interior walls could open up living areas and give an entirely new look to your existing home. But be forewarned: it’s not as easy as it looks on TV.
First off, you can only remove non-load bearing walls. Load bearing walls run perpendicular to the floor joists in your house, as well as around the perimeter of the house. Consult with an engineer or contractor before removing any wall.
“Walls that contain any plumbing, electrical outlets, or HVAC vents, should be taken down with caution. Always check both sides of the wall for these issues,” Popular Mechanics suggests. “Shut off the main power if there is live electricity running through the wall and take care when removing walls with existing plumbing. Put down the sledgehammer and use a saw to cut out the drywall to reveal the pipes behind it. Turn off the water main and consult with a plumber before removing any pipes.”
While a patio or deck is nice, you can only use it during certain parts of the year. Rain and cold weather make it impractical, which means you can’t always access it. A screened porch, on the other hand, can be used throughout the year. So why not screen in your existing patio or deck?
According to ImproveNet, the average cost to screen in a patio is $5.28 per square foot. Considering that most screen patios are roughly 200 square feet, this means the average project costs $1,056.
Do you have old worn-out flooring – such as linoleum, tile, or carpet? You can change the look of your house pretty significantly by installing some new flooring. If you want to splurge, go for hardwood. If you want to save some of your budget for other projects, try a vinyl alternative made to look like wood.
If you have hardwood floors that are tired and worn, consider refinishing them. A simple sand, stain, and seal job can bring them back to life in a couple of days.
“When preparing a new listing for marketing, one of the first things I look at is the light fixtures,” says Rado Varchola, a senior vice president at Nest Seekers International real estate in Manhattan. “In most cases, it could have a negative impact if the fixtures are dated.”
Updated light fixtures make a huge difference in a home. They have a way of modernizing an otherwise dated house and can be purchased relatively inexpensively. If nothing else, replace your kitchen and dining room hanging fixtures.
Most people don’t think much about their fireplace, but it’s actually an integral part of your overall interior design. Fireplace styles go in and out over the years, and you may need to bring yours up to date.
If you have a cheap tile fireplace surrounded with a thin wooden mantel, try painting the tile and adding a chunky wooden beam for the mantel. If you have a dated brick fireplace, paint it white for a sleeker, modern appearance.
Outside of the kitchen, the living room is one of the key focal points of your home. It’s a space where you relax and entertain guests. If you’re using a bunch of random sofas and chairs that you’ve collected from friends and family over the years, consider upgrading.
Instead of buying a matching set, piece together some unique pieces that all share a similar color scheme or style. Neutral colored furniture with colorful accent pillows always yield a good look.
At Green Residential, we work with clients every day to help buy, sell, and manage real estate. Whether you’re looking to invest in real estate, buy your first home, or make your first sale, we’re here to help. Our experienced team of real estate professional has decades of experience in the industry and knows the Houston market like the back of our hands. Contact us today to find out more!
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