When you walk into your home, you want it to be a place where you feel comfortable and welcome. You know it needs renovating, but how to get the best result you can with minimum dollars?
The simple answer is you need to start with a plan. If you spend enough money, almost any space can be totally transformed. But most of us don’t have that sort of budget. So it pays to look at how to spend your renovation dollar wisely.
Take time to work out which areas will result in the biggest impact on the overall feel or functionality of your home once they’re renovated. Studies show that most people spend the bulk of their time in the kitchen and living areas, so look at these first. If you’re renovating your own home, these are likely to be the best areas to target.
If you’re renovating to sell, the answer is a little different. Street appeal is vital, otherwise a potential buyer may not even take the time to look at the inside. Which means the front garden gets moved to the top of the priority list.
It’s also hard when you’re faced with a house where basically every room needs work. Accept that you probably can’t do everything, and plan to do the important things as best you can within your budget.
Tip 1 – Elbow Grease
Often the most cost effective renovation of all is to simply put in time and effort to tidy up and declutter. Trim straggling bushes, declutter the house, pressure clean concrete, wash all surfaces including the walls, weed the garden and put down fresh mulch. Yes, it will take some work, but the dollar cost is minimal and for many homes the transformation is quite astounding.
Tip 2 – Paint
A fresh coat of paint can do wonders for every area in the house. But beware – doing the job well does require skill, so if you’re new to it, start in the least obvious places first. Stick to the same colour scheme for as much of the house as you can, so you can buy paint in bulk. If your whole house needs help then paint might be enough to tide over the less obvious rooms until you can do more with them later.
Paint can also be used for a cheap kitchen renovation. If your cabinets are in reasonable condition but ugly, the right coat of paint and some new handles can give them an immediate lift at a fraction of the cost of replacing everything. Do your research to make sure you use the right materials though.
Tip 3 – Floors
Again, if you choose wisely, you can potentially stretch your budget to change the floors in your whole house. Otherwise focus on the main areas. You may be lucky enough to find floorboards you can sand and stain under old carpet. But if not, vinyl planks have made huge improvements in recent years and provide a realistic alternative. Carpets, too, can be an affordable option if you choose well. The key to good flooring that lasts is ALWAYS preparation. So don’t make the mistake of skimping when it comes to underlay or having a flat surface to lay the flooring on.
Tip 4 – Uplift your kitchen
The kitchen is often the heart of the house, and changes there make a big difference. Try installing a new splashback for a fresh look or to add the “wow” factor. Replacing the bench tops can also lift the look of your kitchen for a modest outlay.
Tip 5 – The great outdoors
If you love to entertain, then adding a deck or alfresco area at the rear of your home is a great way to add living space without the expense of an extension. There has been a huge amount of innovation in this space over the last decade or so, as more and more people discovered the value of outdoor living spaces, so spend some time finding out what’s available and fits your budget.
Tip 6 – Knock down a wall
Venturing into slightly more expensive territory, consider knocking down a non load-bearing wall. Get good advice on this, as you definitely don’t want to make a mistake. Sometimes removing a wall can help create a large open living space by combining a living and dining room. Two smaller bedrooms can become a rumpus room or home theatre. Think long and hard about what you need from your house before taking this step, as it will almost certainly involve paying for tradespeople.
Ultimately, the aim of renovating is to do the best you can in the areas of your home that will have the biggest impact. By taking the time to think it through before taking the plunge, you will be much better placed to achieve the best possible results for minimum dollars. Happy renovating!