Owning a home means that there is always something to fix or to improve. Living in our homes, we tend to see all of the things we would like to change. Homeowners can easily spend tens of thousands of dollars on home improvement projects each year. Most of us, however, don’t have the luxury of an unlimited home improvement budget. Does that mean that we have to forego improvements completely? Of course not!
Small budget home improvement projects are quite possible. In fact, if you know where to apply your money, you can experience big changes in your home for very little money. The secret is two-fold. First, do as much of the work yourself as you can (or barter it out), and second, choose your improvements wisely. In some cases, you may already have all of the supplies you need to make the improvement. This means zero cost with 100 percent results.
Take a look at the following two small budget home improvements that make a big impact.
Front Porch and Entrance
The entrance to your home is the first thing that visitors see, and it will give them an impression of your home and your family. It is also the first thing that you will see when you come home. Having a nice, cheery front porch and entrance can really make you feel more positive about your home. This is why the front porch and entrance are good places to start your small budget home improvements. Just seeing the changes there can inspire and motivate you to continue throughout your home.
Start by cleaning the front porch. In many homes, the front porch becomes a catch all for everything from shoes to sports equipment, from mail to toys. De-clutter the front porch and remove anything that does not improve or add to the space.
Next, clean the area by sweeping, cleaning the windows near the door, removing cobwebs from the corners, etc. Don’t forget the porch light, which can collect bugs and dirt. If you have a concrete porch, consider hosing it down or power washing it.
If applicable, paint the front porch white or a nice bright color that will give the impression of your home being clean and tidy. Painting the outside of your front door in a contrasting color can have a huge impact, and the time and cost are very minimal.
Carefully select some objects that will make your porch more inviting. A chair or two and a small table or a few potted plants can make a big difference. Glean objects from the rest of your home or purchase them inexpensively at a resale shop.
The Windows
Homeowners tend to get used to dirty windows. We just don’t notice them anymore. As an experiment, wash one window inside and out. Then sit back and admire the difference that it makes in your home. Clean windows actually do let more light into your home. They also give the impression that a home is well-cared for and in good condition.
You can use traditional window cleaners and paper towels, or some standard dish detergent and a squeegee. The later will be a little less of a cost, but the results should be the same. Wash all of the windows in your home for a low budget home improvement.
Home improvements don’t have to be large scale or costly. Inexpensive improvements can raise the level of your home in both looks and value.