7 Cost-Effective House Design and Renovation Ideas

There’s a wide variety of reasons why people renovate their homes. Sometimes it is necessary after a series of unfortunate events such as floods or fires or because the house is aged and tarnished. And sometimes, it’s just a matter of improving its aesthetics or market value. But no matter what the reason is, house renovation is a costly endeavor.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do to maka the most of it without breaking the bank. Painting the floorboards is a great way to freshen up the interior of your house, just like replacing the backsplash. Apart from that, you can install stair runners and crown moldings, refinish the bathtub, or change the curtains and light fixtures, among other things.

If you are interested in cost-effective design and renovation ideas, this article is for you! Below, you will find some great tips to get you started, no matter what your budget is. Read on to learn more.

Paint the Floorboards

Painting floorboards is one of the fastest and cheapest ways to refresh your interior. It can completely change the look of a room and make it feel more modern, clean, and spacious without committing to a full-blown renovation. If your floors are already in good condition, you can simply paint them with a couple of coats of paint. If there are scratches and blemishes, you may need to sand them down and fill them with a wood filler before priming and painting.

Some types of floors, like engineered timber flooring, come with a high-gloss finish that needs to be sanded before it can be painted – it is a bit tedious, especially without the right equipment, but it will be worth it in the end. Just make sure you use a good primer if you decide to go this route, otherwise, you may have trouble getting the paint to stick.

Install Stair Runners

Another effective way to make your home look more modern and chic is to install stair runners or rugs. They are a great way to add color, pattern, and texture to an otherwise dull stairway. It can also protect your flooring from wear and tear, especially if you have children or pets. Because they come in so many different styles, there is a runner for every decorating style.

Similarly to other carpet flooring options, stair runners can get quite expensive, but you can make your own. Install regular rugs or carpeting on top of your stairs with the help of carpet tape and some nails or a stair runner kit. This way, you can use rugs that you already have in your home or pick something up at a second-hand store.

Add Crown Molding

Crown moldings are a classic way to add a touch of elegance and sophistication to your home. They can be made out of wood, metal, or plastic, and they come in a variety of styles, but they all have one thing in common – they can make your house look more expensive and stylish. If you pick the right style, it will accentuate light fixtures and other decorations, making your house look like a million bucks.

Crown moldings can be purchased for a relatively low price at home improvement stores and installed quite easily. They are not permanent and can be removed if you decide to change the look of your house again in the future. They are also an excellent way to cover up any uneven spots in the walls or gaps between the wall and the ceiling.

Install a Backsplash

Backsplashes are functional and aesthetically pleasing, which makes them worth the investment. They prevent water from dripping onto your cabinets, protect against water and moisture damage to the wall, add a touch of color and style, and are easy to clean. All in all, they are a great addition to any kitchen.

There are many options for backsplashes, from stone tiles to glass to metal and everything in between. You can use them to accentuate your cabinetry, add a pop of color, or create an interesting pattern that makes it feel more like home. You can go with a classic black and white pattern or a bold, colorful design composed of tiles in different shapes and sizes. Either way, it will make your kitchen look more stylish and modern without breaking the bank.

Refinish the Tub

If you want to make your bathroom look less dull and outdated, you can simply refinish the bathtub. Some bathtubs simply tint with time, so they need a good scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint, while others may need to be stripped down to the bare surface and refinished when rust or other impurities have taken hold. 

And while you’re at it, you might as well replace the faucet or any other fixtures that have seen better days.

Replace the Curtains and Blinds

The curtains and blinds in your home are the minor details that can make a huge difference. A new set can instantly change the look of your house and give it a new lease on life. While it is easy to replace the fabric of your curtains, you may want to replace the rods or the entire system if they are damaged or not working properly.

Think about something that goes well with the furniture and appliances in each room – neutral colors like cream or pale blue are a good choice for most rooms, while bolder shades like bright red or yellow can make a statement in the right setting. With that, you can change the look of your rooms in minutes.

Change Light Fixtures

Light fixtures are a great way to change the look of your home without spending a fortune. You can update them to make them more modern, contemporary, or traditional if that is something you are going for. They will also help you save energy if they use LED bulbs or CFLs. A different type of light will also make your rooms feel more spacious, especially if you go with something that has a wide and bright beam.

Apart from that, most lightbulbs sold nowadays come in different color temperature variants, and you can use that to your advantage. For example, you can use warm bulbs in your bedroom to make it feel more cozy and relaxed, while cool bulbs are the best for kitchens and bathrooms where you want to maximize the light and brightness.

In Conclusion

With these ideas in mind, you can easily renovate your home without spending a fortune. You don’t need to devote a lot of time and energy to a full-blown renovation project just to make your house look modern and stylish. The ideas are simple, easy to implement, and, what’s more important – can make a huge difference in the look of your home.

Even if you are still unsure what you want to renovate or how you want to go about it, you can start from painting floorboards or installing a new light fixture. Then, you can move on to the other projects and make your house feel like new again. So, what are you waiting for? It’s time to take your home from drab to fab!