How To Transform Your Place On A Budget

Living in the same space for years – with the same furniture and decor day in and day out – can get old quickly. But your urge to redecorate doesn’t always align with the often high expenses associated with redecorating or redesigning your home. Fret not – with this guide, you can learn how to transform your place on a budget without sacrificing style and personality.

How to transform your place on a budget in 13 different ways

Whether your space feels dull or you want to improve an already inspiring room, there are plenty of budget-friendly ways to do so. Below are some ideas for how to transform your space without breaking the bank.

1. Add a fresh coat of paint

Adding a fresh coat of paint is a tried and true method to make your space feel completely different. And no, you don’t need to hire painters! If you’re comfortable with DIY projects, you can save a ton of money by painting your home yourself.

The average cost of professional bedroom painting can cost between $190 and $300. By comparison, painting your room on your own typically costs less once you account for all the paint and supplies. If you already own rollers, drop cloths, brushes, and other supplies, you’ll likely save even more.

With paint, you can easily go from pretty pink walls to under-the-sea blue, or from yellow to snow white for a more modern look. Regardless of its color, a fresh coat of paint can make you feel truly refreshed each time you walk through the door.

2. Plant flowers and other foliage

The front lawn is the very first thing you see when coming home. That’s why your home’s exterior is just as important as its interior for creating a positive and welcoming environment for all visitors.

Outdoor flowers and plants are a game changer for elevating the atmosphere of your home. Take the time to replace old or dying bushes with fresh flowers. There are many types of shrubs and flowers you can easily, inexpensively maintain to boost your curb appeal.

3. Upgrade your kitchen and bathroom hardware

Kitchen and bathroom hardware is very accessible, affordable, and incredibly easy to replace on your cabinets. So ditch those rusted knobs and replace them with something shiny and new!

Depending on the material, model, and the number of knobs you need to buy, you can spend as little as a few dollars to spruce up cabinets at a moment’s notice. Even on a small budget, you can probably recreate the same style of cabinet hardware and faucets you’ve long loved. You can just as easily branch out and try something completely different.

Once you have your hardware in hand, use a screwdriver to remove your old hardware and use the included screws to install your new knobs. Your kitchen will turn into a delightful, renewed eatery, and your bathroom will become your own personal spa.

4. Refinish kitchen cabinets

Whether during holiday feast prep to dessert-heavy date nights, your kitchen is a space where everyone should feel at home. Chipped, visibly worn cabinets can easily ruin the mood, and replacing them can cost a small fortune. Instead of ripping the old ones out, refinish your cabinets by sanding them down and repainting them your favorite color. Doing so is a good deal less expensive than full-on replacing them. It also gives your kitchen the glow-up it deserves.

5. Switch the splashback

For additional kitchen transformation, try switching up your splashback to go for an entirely different vibe. Whether glass or tile, all kinds of splashback patterns exist, and surely, one will match your taste. Nervous about grouting tiles? Go with an adhesive glass splashback instead. These splashbacks can be installed in minutes and are budget-friendly. This alteration instantly gives you a fabulous kitchen fit for a top-chef.

6. Add wall art

One of the easiest ways to elevate your home decor is to adorn your walls with stunning art pieces. When you do so, you fill your space with a touch of creativity.

Have a collection of artwork just sitting around in the attic? Create a gallery wall to display it all in your living room, hallway, or dining room. You won’t have to buy anything other than some picture hangers and nails.

If you’re looking for unique art to zhuzh up the place, a nearby thrift store is a great starting point. Chances are you’ll find all kinds of eccentric, astonishing wall pieces. Or if you’re avoiding nails and screws, you can shine breathtaking galaxies on your walls with the Sky Lite Evolve Galaxy Projector. With just the tap of a phone screen, you can turn it on or off, change its colors, and choose from stars, clouds, or both. Then, just point it at your wall for truly wondrous art.

Sky Lite Evolve: Smart Galaxy Projector

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7. Add a centerpiece

Become your own interior designer and take your home decor one step further by adding a centerpiece to your room. Centerpieces work especially well in your living room, dining room, or kitchen. In all these spaces, they add dimension by creating a focal point that anchors the entire room

You can find chic centerpieces at most department or home stores, or you can make your own. Going the DIY route is a great option if you truly want to check every box on your list. Mix and match supplies, summon your craft skills, and create a centerpiece that transforms your space on exactly your own terms.

A great centerpiece choice that’s as artistic as going DIY but much easier to assemble is a potpourri display. Candles, potpourri, and some glass craft gemstones in your choice of color go a long way in a tray displayed on the coffee table. These low-cost home transformation items can turn your family room into an especially warm, inviting area. Drinking hot cocoa and snuggling up on the couch is that much more comforting with a great centerpiece.

8. Reupholster an old sofa

Your vintage sofa may hold many memories or significant sentimental value, especially if it’s a piece you inherited or bought specifically for its retro vibe. However, while vintage furniture can be aesthetically pleasing on its own, it can clash with the rest of your home decor. To transform your space while leaving this clash behind, reupholster your old sofa. As long as the frame isn’t broken or damaged, you can greatly extend your sofa’s life by switching its fabric.

Reupholstering an old sofa can be considerably more affordable than buying a new sofa. It’s also a better option for complete control over the exact color, pattern, and fabric of your couch. Consider reupholstering your other furniture pieces as well to get everything matching harmoniously.

9. Refresh your fireplace

Whether your fireplace is usable or if it’s long been closed off, refreshing this area is an excellent way to elevate your space. You can tackle this in a few ways: If you have the budget to fix a broken mantle, you can select a stone or marble that best compliments your decor and taste. If you’re not looking to invest quite yet, just take the time to wipe off the soot, remove any broken pieces, and consider buying fireplace tools that match the rest of your decor. Even if your fireplace is no longer active, cleaning it sets a new slate for decorating with candles, wood, or for using to display photographs and knick-knacks.

10. Re-caulk your bathrooms

If your shower is tiled or your bathtub and walls share rubber linings, you’re probably familiar with those nasty stains along the edges. It’s a sight for sore eyes and can make you feel like you're stepping into something unclean. The good news is, fixing it is incredibly easy and cheap! Applying a new layer of caulk is not only practical, but spruces up your bathroom in an instant. The whole process takes only a few hours, so you can easily do it yourself after watching some tutorials. Plus, it’ll make your bathroom shine bright like a diamond when all is said and done.

11. Add new curtains or blinds

Your room’s decor shapes its whole atmosphere. From the sculptures on your desk to the pillows on your bed, if you can see it, it affects how the room feels. That’s why upgrading your curtains or blinds is so effective at taking your space to the next level. With your curtains, you can control the amount of natural light you get while adding stylish, colorful fabrics that transform your space. Depending on the material you buy, whether you’re adding curtains, blinds, or both, and the size of your window, treatments like these typically cost less than $100 per window.

12. Lay a stylish stair runner

Stairs go through lots of wear and tear, and they can show their age after a while. Covering up these scratches and worn marks with a stair runner simultaneously hides these blemishes while adding some pizzazz.

Stair runners come in myriad colors, patterns, and fabrics. You can choose something subtle that matches the decor around your stairs or go for a pop of color. Don’t be afraid to go big and loud with something bold and uniquely patterned. A stylish stair runner will greet you and your guests with a touch of sophistication.

13. Add lights

Transforming your place doesn’t always have to mean purchasing new furniture or painting all the walls. A simple change in lighting can greatly enhance the entire dynamic of a room without you creating a mess or blowing through your savings.

For example, with specialty lighting such as the Ark Aurora Ambient Light, your room will transform into the ultimate peaceful sanctuary. With just the push of a button, you’ll see a gently floating, oscillating green aurora against a stunning blue background. These sights do more than transform your space – they take you to the northern lights without you ever leaving home.

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Transform your place on a budget with BlissLights