Improve your home on a budget

Whether you are getting your house ready to sell or just updating for you, home improvement projects can be spendy. If you are living on a tight budget, you may wonder if you can afford to do the things you want or need to improve the look of your home. Here are some ideas:

Cut corners without cutting quality Doing major renovations can cost thousands of dollars.  Even if you know you will get your money back in the price of the house, it may be more than you can afford. Get the upgrade you want by choosing cheaper options.  For instance, if your kitchen needs an update, repaint the cabinets and buy new hardware instead of buying new cabinetry. Replace the door fronts if necessary instead of tearing out the cabinets. If you need new carpet and pad, buy a thick pad and cheaper carpet. This will give you the feeling of luxury without the expensive price tag. Instead of buying real hardwood for the floor, buy high-quality laminate with a wood look or bamboo to duplicate the look. Another option is to shop for clearance items – get great deals on last year’s products.

Choose cheap projects with big impact When you are deciding how to make a budget for home improvement projects, begin with the cheaper projects that will make the biggest difference.  Number one on this list is paint. Whether it is for your interior or the outside of the house, this is one of the most affordable ways to make a big change in the look and feel of your home.  Flooring is another area that can have a big effect on people.  You don't have to choose the most expensive type of flooring to update the look. New tiles or even vinyl is an inexpensive way to freshen up a kitchen or bathroom. These materials come in a wide range of prices to fit almost any budget.

Complete multiple small projects While one or two small projects might not make much of a difference, add several of them together and you will notice.  Quick and easy projects that will make give your home an update include updating light fixtures, adding crown molding, painting trim or removing doors of upper cabinets and turning them into open shelves.

The benefit with these smaller projects is that you don't have to complete them all at once. Do them as time and money allow.  Home improvement projects can be time-consuming and costly, but you can find affordable ways to make your home look like new.  Create your budget so you know what you have to work with and get started!

About the Author: Joyce Morse is an author who writes on a variety of topics, including SEO and saving money.