14 inexpensive ways to rejuvenate your home
Do you love watching those TV shows where homes for sale are dramatically restaged in a weekend, usually with a very small budget? We never cease to be amazed at just how much can be done with so little.
But I also completely understand how easy it is to get stuck in a rut. When you see the same house day-in-and-day-out it’s really hard to imagine how it might be different. Many times people just simply stop “seeing” problem spots all together. It’s almost as if they have blinders on and end up living with a sub-optimal arrangement that could be addressed in an afternoon with a few dollars. I see this all the time when it comes to clutter. People will live with ugly, messy papers strewn all around a space in their home for months and then be completely amazed at both how little time it takes to clean up and the massive visual difference being clutter-free makes.
If you know you’re stuck in a rut, but can’t “see” where to start, I’ve organized a list of fourteen inexpensive ways you can breathe new life into your home. Start anywhere on this list, do one – or all fourteen in the next few weeks and enjoy the visual benefits all summer long.
1. Landscape with Potted Plants.
This is a quick way to make over a deck or patio in an afternoon. Head over to your local home improvement super store or nursery to pick up two or three large pots, some soil, and plants. Then “plant” them on your patio or deck. Great choices of plants include: a variety of herbs you can use in your kitchen, geraniums, and impatiens.
2. Declutter the Yard.
This is a great way to get some exercise and instantly improve your home’s curb appeal. Pick up branches that have fallen during storms, put away children’s toys that are lingering, and by all means, all evidence that you have pets should be picked up and thrown in the trash every day. If you have a lot of statues and figurines in your yard, consider winnowing your collection as less is truly more.
3. Power Wash Patios & Siding.
Power washers make quick work of cleaning surfaces that have gotten dirty or moldy over the winter. They can also be a greener option than using your own elbow grease as they typically get surfaces clean without the need for additional cleaning agents. You can rent one at your local home goods super store, like Home Depot or Lowe’s.
4. Paint the Front Door(s).
Painting your front door is one of the easiest of makeovers you can do. Historically red doors mean, “welcome,” whereas dark blues and greens are supposed to bring calm and peace to those who enter. Have fun with it – and recognize that if you don’t like it, you can make a change very quickly.
5. Swap Out Pillow Covers.
You can completely change the feeling of a room by adding pops of color and cheer in the forms of pillows. All you have to do is swap out the covers for a totally fresh look in the living room or even a bedroom. {image via: All Things Pretty}
6. Stage a Bookshelf.
Bookshelves are often the last place people think to make over, but in reality they offer a marvelous makeover canvas. Paint the backs a bright color and watch what was once a boring shelf make a room pop. {image via: apartment therapy}
7. Use a Finisher on Your Hardwood Floors.
Remove all dirt and grime from your hardwood floors with a good vacuum cleaner. Then, use a polymer finish like Rejuvenate Floor Cleaner using a mop to restore a bit of shine to tired floors. {image via: Inspired Design}
8. Add Color to a Room with Paint.
Change the personality of a room instantly by applying a fresh coat of paint. South facing rooms generally get loads of light and can handle rich, saturated tones, while north facing rooms generally do better with light colors and semi-gloss finishes that reflect light around the room. {image via: HGTV}
9. Scrub the Walls.
Take a bucket of water, a microfiber cloth and a little baking soda around the house and erase any marks – from scuffs to children’s doodles, that have cropped up. {image via: Real Simple}
10. Hang New Pictures.
When was the last time you actually printed the pictures you have stored away in your computer. Choose a few, find some frames and make a small gallery on a previously empty (or boring) wall.
11. Change Up Hand Towels.
Enliven a bathroom simply by swapping out tired, old hand towels for new ones. It’s easy to find beautiful linen hand towels for sale at most flea markets. If you find a bunch, consider keeping extras in a basket, where they’re at the ready – and make a wonderful display. {image via: Martha Stewart}
12. De-clutter Your Main Room.
You probably spend 80% or more of your time in just a few rooms of the house. If the thought of a stem-to-stern de-clutter is too overwhelming, focus on the one room you spend the most of your time in, like the family room. If you haven’t used something in at least 6 months: be ruthless and toss it. {image via: A Note on Design}
13. Accent with a Slipcover.
If you have a couch or chair that is a little long in the tooth but don’t have the funds to buy new furniture, consider a slipcover. For a fraction of the cost of a new piece, you get a whole new look. {image via: My Home Ideas}
14. Make Your Own Lavender Water & Iron with It.
Lavender is a soothing sent that refreshes and relaxes. Make your own lavender spray using 1 tsp of lavender essential oil, 1/4 cup of vodka, and 3 1/2 cups of water. Spray it on your clothes and press with an iron – the scent will not only keep your clothes smelling fresh, but freshen the air in the room as well. You can also apply to bed linens, curtains, carpets, couches, you name it. {image & good recipe via: Beautiful Nest}
