Budget-friendly home makeover ideas on any schedule

When it comes to remodelling a home, we often can’t help but dream big – because who doesn’t want a walk-in glass shower, marble backsplash and ample storage space? But before you let your design vision overwhelm you, allow it to inspire you to make tiny tweaks that still have a big impact.

Whether you’re tight on time or worried about stretching your budget too thin, we’ve compiled a list of affordable home makeover ideas that can be done on any schedule – from a day, to a weekend, to one week. It’s time to set your decor hesitations to the curb along with that outdated side table, and read on.

DAY: Rearrange furniture

For an instant refresh, switch up a space’s furniture placement. Think seasonally: Make your fireplace the focal point in winter and reposition pieces in summer depending on how the light streams in. Don’t be afraid to think beyond a room itself either – that armchair in your living room might look even better in your home office.

DAY: Style your bookshelves

Think of bookshelves as fanciful art displays that should be carefully curated. Spend a quiet Sunday afternoon arranging your paperbacks by colour or wrapping unsightly book covers in pretty paper. Showcase decorative objets and prints for extra visual appeal.

DAY: Paint your furniture

Wake up tired furniture with a fresh coat of paint. Whether you want to refresh your dated cabinets or revamp a dull dresser, new-and-improved furniture pieces will cheer up a room without breaking the bank.

WEEKEND: Change up your walls

While creating an accent wall can be completed in a day, devoting a weekend to the task affords you the opportunity to be more creative, and you’ll have time to update a few walls. Try your hand at colour blocking or brighten a bedroom with intricate stencils and wall decals.

WEEKEND: Quick backsplash update

You don’t have to rely on marble or glass mosaic backsplash tiles to achieve a timeless look in your kitchen (cue the sighs of relief). Instead, try self-adhesive wall tiles. The budget-friendly alternative is simple to install and will still give your space an effortlessly elegant feel.

WEEKEND: Organise and de-clutter

Sometimes purging your pad can have just as dramatic an impact as redecorating it. Release yourself from constant clutter by editing every area in your home. Toss tattered items, corral products in stylish baskets and bins and opt for multi-functional furniture. 

WEEKEND: Elevate your entrance

First impressions are lasting, so spend a few days improving your home’s porch area. Start by painting the front door an energizing hue that suits the exterior. To enhance the look further, dress up your porch with planters and replace your mailbox, doormat and number signs with more modern styles.

WEEKEND: Add a gallery wall

Bedeck your living room with a DIY gallery wall comprised of well-loved prints. Hang art pieces that range in size and shape for added dimension, and choose stylish frames (whether vintage or modern) that complement each other. Once all is said and done, you’ll earn some serious bragging rights. 

WEEK: Update your kitchen and bathroom

Making a few slight changes to your kitchen and bath will have big payoff. Begin by trading in timeworn hardware for sleek knobs and pulls, and paint your kitchen cabinets if they’re looking a little worse for wear. Give yourself time to update other fixtures too, such as the faucets and vanity mirror.

WEEK: Beautify the bedroom

Take your bedroom from boring to beautiful with a few creative upgrades. Get crafty by upholstering your own headboard, which creates an eye-catching focal point. For an even easier hack, use a bedsheet as the fabric. Boost your room’s comfort factor further by adding an area rug, buying new bedding and installing drapery.

WEEK: Uplift your outdoor pace

Once the weather warms up, our attention quickly shifts to the outdoors. Make your yard more inviting this year with a garden path or walkway (materials like natural stone, brick and concrete all work well). Don’t stop there. Take the time to paint your home's exterior – or at least the trim! – as well as the fence. Other easy tasks include washing the windows, staining the deck and painting outdoor furniture.

Source: Style at Home