DIY Magic - How to Renovate Your Home on a Shoestring budget

Due to the high costs of living these days, it's understandable that the big renovation dreams you originally had for your house or apartment may have been put on the back burner. However, with some DIY mastery, it is possible to renovate on a budget, and feel the pride of living in a home that's carefully tailored for you, by you. 

Even if you can't afford large-scale remodelling, you can still add value to your property by ensuring proper maintenance and keeping the overall appearance of your house in tip-top shape. By managing your personal space, you can also reduce your daily stress and enhance how you experience life at home.  

Freshen up your walls
For example, you can improve the interior walls, one room at a time. Patching up holes and cracks and applying a fresh coat of paint gives you an instant overhaul. Or add personality and pizazz to your home by applying stunning wallpaper to one accent wall. Remember to opt for waterproof wallpaper for bathroom and kitchen walls, or choose inexpensive modern ceramic or vinyl tiles to replace damaged or dingy ones. 

Refit cabinets and cupboards
You don't need to spend a small fortune on new cabinets, when you can achieve a nearly-new look by refurbishing the ones you've got. Here's how you can refit your kitchen and bathroom cabinets and bedroom cupboards: 

• Tighten all the hinges, replace the ones that are worn down and realign the cupboard doors so that they are all straight. 
• Replace or update cabinet and cupboard handles for a quick, affordable makeover. 
• Repair stripped cabinet laminate using a strong, clear adhesive and careful application.
• Can't afford to replace those dark, dreary 1980's wooden cupboards? Strip them down with sandpaper and elbow grease and brighten them up with a few coats of oil or latex paint. 

Re-dress your windows
Curtains and blinds have a significant effect on how inviting your home looks and feels. Remember that properly lined or black-out curtains contribute to a better quality of sleep in the bedroom, while living rooms and offices benefit from solutions that allow a lot of natural daylight in. Additional blinds, netting or voile curtains could also help to manage summer heat and winter chill. 

Shine a light on your DIY renovation
Changing how your home feels could begin by replacing the lightbulbs. Install cool-white LED bulbs in your office to enhance your work, or warm daylight globes in your living room, kitchen and bedroom for a soft, inviting feeling. Maximise your lighting options by installing dimmer switches or purchasing beautiful lamps that also add to the aesthetics of your home. 

Size up storage for more space
Because we live in our own homes so much of the time, we're often unaware of the clutter affecting our personal space. Look for creative storage solutions to help control your clutter and hide those random items that don't have an official place: 

Install a medicine cabinet to rid your bathroom vanity of clutter. Various sizes and styles of cabinets are available at most hardware and décor stores at different prices. Purchase cabinets, chests and shelving units to organise clutter and dust-gathering items while adding a splash of practical style to your home.

Deep clean for a fast facelift 
One of the most effective ways to renovate your home on a budget is to begin with a deep clean. Often, all an area needs to look brand-new is a thorough scrub. 

• Wipe down all walls and surfaces with a gentle all-purpose cleaner and soft cloth.
• Deep clean the bathrooms and kitchens, especially grimy tiles and grout.
• Hire or borrow a carpet cleaning machine and give carpets and upholstered furniture a fresh shampoo.
• Re-finish those gorgeous authentic hardwood floors and reglaze scuffed tiles.
• Power-clean the exterior of your home and scrub your driveway and walkways with a tough broom. 

The magic of maintenance
It's the small things that make a big difference. Walk around your house and make notes about what needs replacing or repair. A cracked tile here, a loose handle there, a collapsed bedroom shelf, damaged grout in the shower, a stain on the ceiling ... Keep chipping away at this list whenever you have the time and budget for it. 


If you're preparing to sell your property, ask a Chas Everitt agent whether you should renovate your home on a budget or sell it as-is. Often, home buyers plan to make their own changes the minute they move in.