If you are a renter and want to add some personality to your home, or a homeowner remodeling on a tight budget, here are 10 ideas that will upgrade your living space.
Many renters are understandably reluctant to spend money on home improvement features, and it can take homeowners years to save up for remodeling projects. Even if your living situation is temporary or you are remodeling on a budget, don’t let that inspire a case of improvement paralysis. There are several things you can do to freshen up your home, and the investment can even travel with you to your next abode!
Kitchen Faucet
A new and improved kitchen faucet is the easiest way to perk up a boring kitchen. The faucet is one of the main tools in the kitchen and you will thank yourself daily for this upgrade. Pick a new faucet for the sink that’s a true statement piece!
How to replace your kitchen faucet DIY instructions
Shower Head
There’s nothing worse than a poor shower head. Not only does it affect your shower enjoyment, but it could also be wasting water. Replacing your outdated shower head will look and feel better and new low-flow designs can help save water.
How to replace your shower head
Window Coverings
Curtains are an obvious style booster, but it’s also pretty easy – and totally reversible – to install new blinds, shades, or window film on your windows.
Cabinet Handles & Pulls
Such a simple thing can make a huge difference. Find new cabinet hardware that fits your taste and add some style to your home! Make sure your new hardware will fit the existing holes, and swap out all the handles for your kitchen cabinets and drawers, bathroom storage, and even your furniture!
Find cabinet handles and pulls
How to upgrade your cabinet hardware
Light Fixtures
This is the place to splurge. A room’s light source can easily be a focal point and a design imperative. A good light fixture will set the lighting ambience for a room and compliment the overall aesthetic of your home. Light fixtures can transfer from home to home and are well worth the investment.
Programmable Thermostat
Every home should have a programmable thermostat to be able to control your heat and cooling around the clock. New devices, such as Nest, allow additional control and greater ease in controlling the climate of every place you live. Properly managing your home’s temperature will save money on your energy bill and contribute to a cleaner environment.
How to install a programmable thermostat
How to install NEST thermostat
Pull-Out Shelves
Have you been dreaming of a highly functional kitchen where you can see what’s piled in the dark back recesses of your cabinets? Here the DIY solution you’re looking for! Install drawers in your lower cabinets for extending cabinet drawers.
How to convert cabinets into pull-out shelves
Toilet Paper Holder
Often forgotten, a sturdy and attractive toilet holder is one of life’s little joys. If yours is flimsy and plastic or placed awkwardly in the room, it’s time for an upgrade.
Find an attractive toilet paper holder
Toilet Seat
Again, the bathroom is kind of an important room. A new seat can cost as little as $10 and can replace your current thin, ugly, discolored seat. Replacement is simple, and you will enjoy it daily!
Light Switches and Power Outlets
Attention to detail these details can improve a whole room’s appearance. Adding a dimmer to your lights or a modern outlet with USB integration will look great and improve your home’s functionality.
How to replace an electrical outlet
How to install a dimmer switch
5 Responses
I love this list! We are currently renting and before moving in we had the carpet professionally cleaned since we had a crawling baby.. Then, we changed the light switch covers and replaced all the knobs in the bathroom. We had a toilet seat that we brought when we moved (it was only two weeks old).
Well done on your part to baby proof the house a little bit before you got in there. I know that we missed this step when we were moving around, so nicely done.
I was never sure if it was just a weird habit of mine to always have to fix the lights at any new place or new room that I get. This just makes me feel a little bit more normal about that, so that is always nice to hear.
Aha’ it’s good to know when you’re not the only one who does something, it’s just kind of a relief.
Thanks for your blog, nice to read. Do not stop.