At some point, every home needs to be updated. Materials wear out and most things break eventually. As much as we may want to squeeze every last use out of our possessions, they’ll require replacement at some point. Home renovation is an ever-growing niche, both in reality and on TV. Social media and reality shows feature beautiful, modern updated houses but there’s an inconvenient truth behind this that we all know – it’s expensive! Home improvements across the U.S. will exceed $3 Trillion in total costs by 2020 (via Statista)! While some of this is for necessary repairs, a lot of money goes into our homes. So how can I update my home cheaply? If you’re looking to update your home, without spending a fortune, check out our top 10 list below!
Our list includes many items you can do yourself, even with no experience. Our list does not include any structural modifications! Some will require hiring a professional, but the cost is relatively low for these items.
Our list also assumes that major repairs are not required i.e. a new roof, leaking windows, structural damage, hazardous material removal or unsafe conditions.
Before you get started, consider checking out these resources!
- YouTube – You can find a tutorial on how to do almost anything.
- This Old House – Find ideas and tutorials for 100s of renovation types.
- Porch.com – You can browse local professionals for any work you’d like to do.
- Angie’s List – Similar to Porch, find professionals in your area.
- Investopedia – This specific page outlines work that most likely requires a permit.
Mandatory Disclaimer: Please do your research before performing any work yourself that you haven’t done before. Make sure to work safely, take any proper precautions and be familiar with your local laws for permitting, filing, inspections, etc.
We’ll refer to “PPE” through this article, which stands for “Personal Protective Equipment“. This includes appropriate footwear, gloves, working attire, eye protection and anything else applicable to the specific item of work.
Inexpensive Home Update Ideas
Below is our list of cheap home update ideas, most of which anyone can do themselves! Not a handy person, or have no time/tools? Fear not, these are tasks that a professional cannot charge too much for.
- Paint Walls, Trim & Moldings
- Build Your Own Garden
- Add Solar Exterior Walkway/Driveway Lights
- Swap Out Old Outlet & Switch Covers For New Ones
- Update Sink & Shower Faucets/Handles
- New Interior Doors & Hinges
- New Exterior Doors, Trim & Lights
- Sand & Refinish Wood Floors, Cabinets, Etc.
- Swap Out Railings
- Replace Old Tile & Linoleum Floors
Let’s dive into each one.
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1. Paint Walls, Trim & Moldings
It’s amazing what a fresh coat of paint can do.
Liven up a room with light, bright colors, or set a calm, relaxing tone with darker, soothing colors.
Time: Allow one full day per room, on average.
Need: Paint, brushes, rollers, roller handles/extenders, paint trays, tape (to protect adjacent finishes), acetone cleaner, newspaper/plastic to protect floor, PPE.
What To Look Out For:
- Make sure appropriate paint is chosen for the material being painted i.e. sheetrock, wood, etc.
- Review manufacturer’s instructions for time between coats or any other necessary steps.
- Check humidity level and temperature requirements for the specific products you’ll use.
2. Build Your Own Garden
“Life’s a garden – dig it!” – Joe Dirt
There are so many options to choose from – flowers, hedges, bushes, small trees, and even fruits and vegetables.
Time: One weekend.
Need: Shovel, wheelbarrow/garbage can (for old soil), mesh fabric, mulch, new topsoil, seeds and/or potted plants, gardening gloves, PPE.
What To Look Out For:
- Check the locations of any sprinkler or power lines located below the ground.
- Dispose of old soil in accordance with your town’s rules.
3. Add Solar Exterior Walkway/Driveway Lights
Your yard will take on a whole new look once the sun goes down.
Solar lights simply absorb sunlight during the day, and are designed to come on once it gets dark out. Solar lights look great along walkways, driveways and gardens.
Time: A few hours.
Need: Exterior solar lights only – most are mounted on a stake meant to be pushed into the ground.
What To Look Out For: Make sure lights are in working order! Since they’re solar, you won’t know until they’ve been in the sun and it’s dark out.
4. Swap Out Old Outlet Covers For New Ones
New outlet and switch covers not only look better, but have more features, too.
Consider swapping old switches for modern dimmer switches. As for outlets, newer models are even equipped with USB ports.
Resources:
Time: 4-8 hours per room.
Need: New outlet covers, screw driver, specific tools in accordance with ‘resources’ section above (for wiring, if required), PPE.
What To Look Out For:
- Turn off power to the switch/outlet before starting any work.
- Keep wires covered if you take a break while you work – use electrical tape.
5. Update Sink & Shower Faucets/Handles
Everyone uses the bathroom. New faucets and handles are a cheap way to give your kitchen or bathroom a boost.
Faucets are not only seen in some of the most crucial rooms in the house, but are also used often. Modern faucets create a visual appeal for a pretty small cost.
Time: 1 day per bathroom
Need: Wrench, screw drivers, PPE
What To Look Out For:
- Turn off water supply before starting – either under the sink, or in basement/utility room
6. New Interior Doors & Hinges
Doors are opened and closed all the time. Not only are they seen in nearly every room, but they’re subject to lots of wear and tear. Swaping out your old interior doors and buying some new doorknobs to match make our houses seem much newer.
Time: 2-3 hours per door.
Need: Screw driver for removing/replacing hinges, level, drill for setting hinges on the new doors, notepad (dimensions, etc.), PPE
What To Look Out For:
- Before purchasing any new doors, measure the height and width of the doorway opening (inside trim).
- Check the spacing and heights of the existing hinges.
- If there aren’t any doors available that fit the exact opening, you probably want to consult a professional.
- Similar to the above, if new hinges will require modification to the existing door frame and trim, have a professional walk through your home and give a quote.
- We recommend hiring a professional if you’d like to have the door frame and trim replaced, too.
- Lastly, fire-resistant doors will provide additional safety, as they’re designed to burn slower and prevent flames from traveling in the event of a fire.
7. New Exterior Doors, Trim & Lights
A new front door is like a new face for your house.
Exterior doors are literally the first thing people see when visiting your home, so an updated door will be noticed by all. The same can be said for updated exterior lighting!
Time: Best to hire a professional.
What To Look Out For:
- Replacing exterior doors is more difficult than it may seem – we recommend getting three quotes from professional installers.
- If you plan on buying your own door and hiring a separate contractor to install it, it’s a good idea to have your contractor review the door you want before you buy it. This is to make sure that they’re aware of exactly what they need to install when pricing the job, and if there are any problems with that model.
- Make sure to get a time estimate from your contractor – if they need more than one day to do the work, it’s important to make sure you have a lockable secure door at night!
- Exterior light replacement will require a permit. Make sure this is in hand before any work begins related to lighting.
- Having exterior lights replaced might require the siding behind the light to be adjusted too. It’s a good idea to make sure the contractor plans on doing this as well.
8. Sand & Refinish Wood Floors, Cabinets, Etc.
One great thing about natural wood finishes is that they last a long time, and can last even longer with occasional refinishing. Consider adding a fresh coat to your wood cabinets and floors.
This is a particularly good tip for an older home. Many older homes feature hardwood floors that are in great condition – they just need a new finish! Refinished floors make the whole house feel like new.
Time: Up To 1 Week (Including Wait Time Between Coats)
Need: Basic requirements are floor or palm sanding device (these can be rented), sand paper, brushes, rollers, roller handles/extenders, tape (to protect adjacent finishes), paint trays, vacuum (dust from sanding), acetone for cleaning, and of course, PPE. Depending on the specific coating type, it’s a good idea to check the manufacturer’s website for details.
What To Look Out For:
- Firstly, newly stained floors can’t be walked on for several days after being set! It’s best to move everything out of the room before starting. Dust will be created while sanding, too.
- On a related note, it’s a good practice to only work on one room at a time.
- If sanding cabinets or door frames, put tape over all hinges to keep the coating out of them!
- Keep windows open to properly circulate air.
- Check humidity level and temperature requirements for the specific products you’ll use.
9. Swap Out Railings
That rickety, old railing that’s about to fall off is actually a cheap fix.
Not to mention, solid, secure handrails are a necessary safety feature, too. Modern handrails come in a variety of materials and styles. Choose from metals like aluminum, stainless steel, wood, glass and more.
Time: 3-8 hours (Best to hire a professional)
Things To Look Out For:
- While it’s an easy fix in terms of time and cost, we recommend hiring a contractor to replace railings. Why?
- Railings are a safety feature and must be installed up to code.
- Railings require precise measurements, angles and cuts. Both skill and tools are needed to do this.
10. Replace Old Tile & Linoleum Floors
Floors are the unsung heroes of our homes. They literally bear the brunt of our every step, but we often don’t notice them. We DO notice, though, when the floors have been updated, or when they’re starting to show signs of damage.
By the time old linoleum or tile needs updating, they’re broken, cracked, scuffed, peeling or generally look outdated. New tile or linoleum in its’ place can breathe a breath of fresh air into an older home.
Time: Varies From A Few Hours To A Few Days (Best to hire a professional)
What To Look Out For:
- If you’re relatively handy, you can demolish/dispose of the old flooring yourself to save some contractor costs. Be sure to have PPE on hand!
- You can also buy the raw flooring materials directly, rather than through a contractor – but you will need to handle it i.e. pick up the materials, bring them inside, etc.
- A non-level floor should be fixed prior to installing new flooring. The contractor you hire can do this for you. It’s worth doing, because tiles and other flooring can crack in the future on a non-level surface.
In Summary
Updating any home becomes necessary at some point, but it doesn’t need to cost a fortune. If you came here wondering “How Can I Update My Home Cheaply?“, you now have ten fresh ideas to consider – many of which can be done yourself, and most equate to a weekend project. Now it’s time for the fun part…good luck!