What better time to delve into some money-saving home improvements than during a global pandemic? Since we’ve been stuck at home for the last five months, it’s time to stretch those designer legs and prepare yourself for the home makeover. But before you do, there are some things to keep in mind when upgrading your home on a budget…
Did you know that about 63% of people have moved to a new community at least once in their lives, while 37% have never left their hometowns? Whether you’re moving to a new place or need to spice up the home you’ve lived in for years, these two tips will help you create a fresh space and save some money while you’re at it.
2 Things to Keep in Mind When Upgrading Your Home on a Budget:
Look for Energy-Efficient Options
Energy-efficient options are going to be the quickest and easiest way you can save money around the house. Whether it be solar panels on the roof or simply switching the kind of lightbulbs you buy, there are lots of options for making your home more energy-efficient. As an added bonus, it will also save you money on your energy bill.
For example, replacing windows and doors can help save money on energy bills. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), depending on where you live, you can save up to $501 a year by replacing old single-pane windows with new Energy Star approved models. A large percentage of your heating and cooling leaks out through your windows and doors. As a result, replacing and investing in energy-efficient models will help to reduce your energy bill.
Know What to Upcycle
Additionally, knowing what old pieces of your home you can take and reuse is critical to improving your home on a budget. Maybe you can use the wood pieces from the old dresser you never use anymore to make some shelving. Or perhaps, a fresh coat of paint over top is enough to make the piece more aesthetically pleasing. Be sure to consider reusing older pieces of furniture before you go out and buy new to help save money on your upgrades.
One area in the kitchen where this makes a lot of sense is the cupboards. For instance, cabinets generally account for 40% to 50% of your total kitchen remodel costs. If you can skip almost half of your spending by repainting or removing the doors and creating open shelves instead, this is going to be a big win for your wallet. Open shelving is increasingly popular, so consider removing the doors in an area of your kitchen to help change things up a bit. Additionally, a fresh coat of paint can really do wonders for a room and won’t break the bank either.
When looking to freshen up your space on a budget, consider which areas of the home are worth updating and what items you already have that can be repurposed into something else. Things like appliances that get used every day can be good to replace with energy-efficient solutions. Items that can be expensive to replace or can easily be repurposed should be reused to save money, energy, and supplies.
The best way to go about upgrading your home on a budget is to improve on what you already have.
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