Ask any individual, and they will tell you that it is their dream to live inside an aesthetically appealing and comfortable house, but finding a balance between both requires a lot of money and renovation work most of the time.
California has a reputation for being a very costly place to live, but that doesn’t mean you give up on the idea of home improvement.
It is possible to have a well-designed home with new aspects of modern design without the process costing an arm and a leg. Of course, not every homeowner will know how to change a light fixture, let alone operate a power drill, and if you can spare the extra cash, you can always hire a professional architect to do what you want.
But, if you’re looking for home improvement ideas on a budget, this article is for you. If you’re ready to get your hands dirty, here are a few home improvement ideas for homeowners on a budget.
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Give your windows some love
The cost of living is high in California, especially San Diego, but you don’t have to buy new stuff. You can do lots more with what you already have. With that said, let’s start with your windows.
Windows are critical to your home’s form and function, so it’s time to give them a makeover. Start by installing a window canopy and see how you feel. There are lots of hardware shops for you to explore. Look for the term window awning San Diego CA on Google to find one near your location.
Go for an open living space
As per research from Bankrate, homeowners search for houses with an open living space when looking at modern property. After all, everyone wants to live in a home that has a kitchen and dining room in one singular open space.
Furthermore, a shared dining room and kitchen space are the ‘in thing’ about modern home designs. So, if your house doesn’t contain open floor plan elements, consider creating more space.
You might be thinking, how can I do this without bringing down a few walls? Well, opening up your living space means getting rid of a couple of bulky furniture items or changing their placement.
Furthermore, the shade of your living space’s paint also affects its ambiance. For example, applying off-white color on your furniture and kitchen cabinets will make them blend into the background. What’s more, placing a couple of mirrors will also allow you to make your home appear more open than it is.
Install solar panels
Nothing improves your home more than opting for alternative energy sources to power your appliances. One way to do so is by installing a few solar panels on your roof. While it won’t do much for your home’s aesthetic appeal, it will undoubtedly help you bring down your energy bills.
According to the latest tax regulations, homeowners who install solar panels will recoup thirty percent of the purchase and installation costs through federal tax returns.
Finding solar panels is as simple as visiting your local hardware or electronics store. Moreover, you can also go online and search for used solar panels for sale if you want to save some cash.
That said, don’t forget to calculate your power requirements and purchase solar panels according to your needs. Typically, six to eight solar panels with a 500-watt rating each will be enough to power typical household appliances.
Upgrade doorknobs, door handles, and drawer pulls
Nothing makes your kitchen, living room, and bathroom look out of style than old-fashioned, worn-out drawer pulls and door handles. In fact, upgrading your old cabinets and door handles should be the first thing on your mind as it is a very low-cost home improvement idea.
Hardware stores are full of doorknobs and drawer pulls finished like aged copper, brushed nickel, stainless steel, and bronze.
Consider purchasing electronic or fingerprint-activated door handles and drawer locks if you’re looking to add a more modern touch to your cabinetry. These are excellent for keeping your items safe and secure and giving your home a touch of contemporary design elements all at once.
But if you like to keep things simple, go for stainless steel doorknobs and drawer pulls, as they don’t cost much and remain rust-free for years.
Don’t neglect your yard
While the inside of your home will undoubtedly get the most attention, your back and front yard holds the same importance, especially when talking about curb appeal. After all, they are the first thing your neighbors and passers-by glance upon, providing them an idea of what’s inside.
You can easily beautify your garden by following a few tried and tested landscaping tips. Of course, the best place to visit is your local greenhouse. The people there will offer you excellent advice on making your back and front yard look appealing.
In addition, you can also strategically plant a few trees, bushes, and colorful flowers to make your yard pop. Furthermore, consider adding a bed of roses near your front door, so guests feel welcome when they enter your home.
That said, don’t forget to layer plants and bushes according to their height. For instance, place the shortest one at the front. If you make the right landscaping decisions, you’ll have a green, aesthetically appealing front or back yard in no time.
Conclusion
As you can see from the home improvement ideas listed above, modernizing your living space doesn’t always require an expensive home remodeling project.
While the definition of home improvement varies from one homeowner to another, it would be wise to start your home improvement project by looking at small things that require updating.
Moreover, don’t forget to ask yourself if a particular element requires replacement or not. In the end, replacing something rather than repairing it will result in you spending more money than you have to.