Whether you simply want to improve the aesthetics of your home or you are adding to your house to keep up with a growing family, DIY renovations are a great way to increase the value of your family home while keeping your costs down.
Of course, doing your own home improvements has its risks and it is always recommended to seek professional help when and where possible. Jobs involving plumbing or electrical work, for example, need to be carried out by a licensed contractor, and any major changes to the building may require council or government approval. There are however, still a lot of cosmetic changes and easy fixes you can do that will have a huge impact on the overall look of your house without having a significant impact on your wallet.
Let’s take a look at 7 of the best Home improvement tips to save you money.
The ‘street appeal’ of your house has a huge impact on not only the value of the property, but also the mood it sets when you arrive home. A new front door and a fresh coat of paint on the fence can do wonders for the overall look of your home. Add a few potted plants to soften any hard edges and to break-up the monotony of large areas like walls or garages and sheds and you can dramatically improve the street appeal of your home for less than the cost of a new TV.
New lighting throughout the house can also have a huge impact on the look of your home and the feel of it. Changing old and tired light fixtures will literally and figuratively brighten the mood of the room for relatively little cost.. It is also worth spending a little extra on one main hanging light which could serve as a main focal point in your home.
Like lighting fixtures, changing your bathroom and kitchen tapware is a relatively inexpensive improvement that will have a huge cosmetic impact.
You don’t need to completely replace your kitchen. Update the overall look of your kitchen by replacing the cabinet doors and handles. Remove a few doors and take them to your local hardware store – chances are they will have multiple styles for you to choose replacements from. Or if you’re a bit more confident, you can take the measurements and start searching online – you’d be amazed of what you’ll be able to find. Accessorise the bench top to match and you have an updated and great looking kitchen for a fraction of the price of a new kitchen.
There’s no point renovating your home if you can’t see the changes under the mountain of clutter. And you don’t need to go all ‘minimalist’ and remove every item from view either. A side table by the front door is a great place to store keys and electronic devices/chargers, while a blanket box at the foot of the bed serves as an excellent storage solution and also looks great.
A new coat of paint is sometimes enough to totally transform the look and feel of an entire room. Whether you paint just the main rooms in your home or all areas of the house, it can go a long way to freshening it up or even modernising. You should pay particular attention to the exterior especially if there are cracked or faded window frames and shed walls – these can detract from all the hard work you’ve done elsewhere.
And why not paint your own artwork while you’re at it. Why pay a premium price when you can splash some colour onto a canvas and match it to your décor? Who knows, you may even discover an untapped talent!
Many homes have spaces that are wasted or not used properly. Take time to get creative and add a touch of personality to these areas. A splash of colour as a ‘feature wall’ can really bring two rooms together and make use of wasted space. Bring the outside in and create some green energy with a ‘living wall’ – an in-door vertical garden. Visit garage sales and ‘up-cycle’ – turn an old table into the perfect retro centrepiece. Accessorise by adding some cushions in complementary colours to brighten a space, or add a floor rug or a throw.You are only limited by your imagination, but for relatively little cost you can really make a positive impact to any space in your home.
Cover and benefits are subject to the terms and conditions including the limits and exclusions of the insurance policy. Any advice provided is general only and may not be right for you. Before you purchase this product you should carefully read the Home Insurance Product Disclosure Statement and consider the Target Market Determination to decide if it is right for you.
