Category: home improvement

Budget friendly renovation ideas serve a work with what you have purpose in the home improving the outdated with the updated game.

Today’s 6-10 blog post bookends the Home Improvement Ideas on a Budget companion post.

Here we go.

6.  Make the Decorative Call to Replace Outdated Window Treatments

(or elect not to use window treatments at all)

Period Architecture

There’s no substitute for the beauty of natural light, but privacy concerns may trump this option.

If going with window treatments consider blinds, shutters, shades and even architectural salvage pieces.

House Beautiful – Heidi Caillier Design

House Beautiful – Leanne Ford

Working or stationary, a pair of vintage shutters used as a complementing accent in your window treatment application take the finished look to new heights.

The house we owned before the one we presently live in was a garden district charmer complete with interior French doors, original cast iron farmhouse kitchen sink with drain board, and casement windows.

The previous homeowners bleached the screened interior window frames that surrounded the casement windows above the kitchen sink.

We removed the screen and left them in place as the sole window treatment, hitting a work with what you have budget friendly renovation ideas home run.

Mahogany wood windows in the home of Michael and Ally Banks were bleached in keeping with a Belgian influenced result.

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by BarnesVanze Architects (@barnesvanze) on Nov 13, 2018 at 8:55am PST

I found this piece at Hobby Lobby, and the price is budget friendly renovation ideas right.

Stand out and be noticed unique is what we’re going for here, so the idea is to use the embossed medallion (36 ½” wide) as an inside mount valance.

Dressing up a window frame with pediments, decorative corbels or architectural pieces is another decorative option that will help to achieve a custom look.

7.  Shed New Light On The Situation

New lighting fixtures instantly update and turn on the visual wow factor.

Heidi Caillier Design 

Pendant lights will be hanging around and on-trend for awhile.

Alyssa Colagiacomo Interiors

I’m a huge fan of a lamp(s) on kitchen countertops.

LKM Design

A well placed lamp easily becomes a focal point of both function and fashion.

Wireless LED puck lights mounted under cabinets are my first choice of affordable accent lighting.

Puck lights cast a lovely light at night- an all grown up night light.

This is the original image I worked off of for this post, so Number 8 refers to furr-down.

8A. Places In The Home #1 Rule of Kitchen Remodels: Furr Down Be Gone!

Furr Down

A box-out at the ceiling typically 12″ high and 14″ deep.  Often used for AC duct work.  Kitchen cabinets are installed up to it creating a step effect.  Also called a soffit or bulkhead.

I am no fan of the furr down.

Removing an ornamental furr down takes years off the life of an outdated kitchen.

Better Homes & Gardens

Crown molding added to the tops of upper cabinets gives a finished top edge and ups the decorative ante.

8B. New Sink + New Faucet = Hello, Current and Fresh Update

Number 8 in this photo reflects the kitchen sink and faucet dilemma.

Love, love, love the details and accents of this spectacular service kitchen by Jill Frey Kitchen Design.

Perfectly positioned accent lighting, statement flooring, gorgeous choice of countertop materials, excellent choice of window treatment, and a focal point sink prove the contrast engages the eye point.

Swiss Madison Delice 30″ x 18″ Ceramic Farmhouse Kitchen Sink w/Apron

Lyndhurst 2-Handle Bridge Kitchen Faucet with Side Sprayer in Matte Gold

Kraus KBU24 Undermount 32 inch 2-Bowl Stainless Steel Kitchen Sink

9.  Update Switches, Plugs and Plates

Small changes make safe and stylish improvements and brings things into the 21st century.

10.  Countertop Solutions

Studio MRS

In real estate it’s all about location, location, location.

In renovating it’s all about enhance, enhance, enhance.

Manufacturers pay very close attention to the design and decor needs and wants of the buying and renovating public, and the kitchen design industry has made huge strides in bringing to the retail marketplace affordable alternatives to expensive kitchen countertop materials.

Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations

If the existing countertops are free of stains, marks, scratches and the like,  workable with your color palette, and not overly antiquated, you may be in business.

How to paint laminate countertops instructions from DIY Network HERE

DAICH SpreadStone Mineral Select Countertop Refinishing Kit

Countertops are the utilitarian workhorse of kitchen, and as such should be crafted from quality materials coupled with a quality look.

If a quality, style and affordability tops the list, consider replacing existing outdated and worn laminate with new laminate in new and improved pattern selections.

Formica

Laminate is back on the radar as an affordable and visually pleasing countertop and backsplash option.

Wilsonart

Bonus Suggestions

 Jill Sorensen Inc Design Firm

Wall sconce lighting is a versatile choice for ambient lighting in foyers, kitchens and bathrooms.

Changing vanity cabinet hardware takes years off a tired look.

One Kings Lane – Photo by Tiffany Haynes

Color makes a big splash in small spaces.

Rue Magazine

Make a big and bold statement by painting trim or wainscotting in a fabulous color and wallpapering the walls and/or ceiling.

Domino – Photo by Ungano+Agriodimasy

Replace existing vent covers with decorative resin wall or ceiling vent covers.

Vent Covers Unlimited

Fireplace built-ins come in as one of the top remodeling projects I love to tackle.

Stephanie Kraus Design

Again color, texture, and pattern come into play.

It’s amazing what you can do with a gallon of paint, new cabinet hardware and a roll(s) of gorgeous wallpaper.

Works in the kitchen, too!

Liz Caan & Co.

Painting the built-ins and the bricks is a budget friendly step in the right direction.

For the DIY decorista project pros, covering over the bricks with tile or texture project may fit the bill.

Budget friendly?

Perhaps not, but in terms of resale and style at home value it can be a justified expense.

Dalliance Design

Picture lights mounted at the center point at the top of each unit creates a stunning library effect, and wallpapering the back wall of the unit or painting in a fabulous designer color brings forth the decorative oomph in updated fashion.

Plenty of wall space to fill?

I love this DIY library wall project from Kristin Cadwallader of Bliss at Home as featured by Better Homes & Gardens with all the how to instructions.

Click on the above link to check it out.

“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.”
—Theodore Roosevelt

Teddy’s words hammer and nail the sentiment of this budget friendly renovation ideas post.

Home improve what you can, with what you have, when you can.