5 Affordable Home Improvements for the New Year!

2020 was one crazy year! We spent more time in our homes than ever before, which had lots of people noticing all those little things they just don't quite love about their house. And while you were probably more than ready to leave 2020 behind, most of us can't trade in our home as the clock strikes midnight (but if you wanted to, we can definitely help with that too!). So we thought what better time than the New Year to tackle some of those areas of your home that just aren't living up to their fullest potential with our five easy and affordable home improvements to update your home and get it feeling refreshed and renewed for the year ahead!

1. INSTALL AN ACCENT WALL

Whether this is with an accent paint color, a simple feature wall or both, this is a super simple and affordable way to get a huge impact on a very minimal budget. Shiplap and board and batten walls are extremely popular right now.

2. PAINT

This is always my go-to recommendation for changing a space. A fresh coat of paint takes about $40 (or less) per can and a little bit of time and patience and it goes such a long way! You can get the most out of this update by being sure to choose a fresh and updated color that compliments your space and color scheme. When doing a large space, it’s generally best to stay neutral (especially if you’re thinking of selling in the near future), but if you’re looking for something a little bolder you could try a bright color for some extra kick or add drama with some deep, rich tones.

3. UPDATE HARDWARE

If you have those 80’s brass or gold doorknobs, hinges, cabinet pulls or fixtures left in your home, ditch them! There is no easier way to completely change the perceived age and feel of your home than by getting rid of the outdated hardware. Try going with brushed nickel or matte black – they’re both beautiful options and have a safer bet of not being outdated in another ten years.

4. REARRANGE FURNITURE

If you want to get the look and feel of a completely different space and not spend any money, try rearranging your existing furniture, removing items you don't need or replacing them with pieces from a different room. If you’ve always had your couch facing one way, try turning it and seeing if it could improve the flow of the space. If it only works with the furniture one way, rearrange your bookshelves or add inexpensive accent pieces like pillows or other decor – look at Target or Home Goods for affordable options.

5. REPLACE LIGHT FIXTURES

This is potentially the most expensive on our list of updates, but also one of the most impactful. When chosen thoughtfully, lighting can make such a huge difference in the way a space looks and feels. If you shop at Wayfair or Build.com you can get some pretty great deals on beautiful light fixtures. And if you’re a little bit handy you can hang them yourself and avoid the cost of an electrician. Just remember to turn the breaker off before getting started J!

If you do even just one of the above items, you are sure to notice the difference in your home! We know feeling good about your home helps you start the year off right; so if you need any more suggestions or further help, please do not hesitate to reach out!

About the Author

Chelsea Harris is our Director of Operations. She has years of experience overseeing new construction, renovation and design projects, both personally and professionally. Over the years she has become an expert at finding budget-friendly solutions that create the maximum impact and beauty in a space. Chelsea loves the creativity and freedom design provides and her true passion is getting to see her visions come to life through the transformation of the spaces she creates.