There’s a strange mindset around home renovation that’s worth examining because it’s affected quite a few homeowner perspectives, perhaps including both you and me. We see the TV shows where designers spend tens of thousands on new kitchens, pr we watch YouTube videos of complete gut jobs that transform houses into something unrecognizable, perhaps with a hugely wacky vision. Slowly, we start to think that’s what renovation means. That it has to be big, dramatic, and most of all, expensive to be valid or to look good. That we have to go over budget for the final thing to work.
But renovation is just another word for change in a structural way. You can “renovate” your body structure with a gym membership and a barbell, for example, and that’s not too expensive. As far as households go, it doesn’t have to mean marble countertops or custom cabinets. Some of the most satisfying home updates come from creative thinking rather than big spending on everything, and often, throwing money at the issue means you’re not focused on design anyway.
Even looking at second hand kitchen units can spark ideas about what’s possible, and make you feel more motivated to give your approach a go. So, in this post, we’ll look at three approaches to renovation that won’t empty your savings account.
Working With What You Have
Most homes already contain good bones and solid materials, and if you don’t, renovating there is a good place to start and should secure most of your investment. But if it’s fine, you can think outwards, but keep what works. For instance, that kitchen cabinet frame probably doesn’t need replacing, just a fresh coat of paint and new handles, and those tiles might look dated, but a deep clean and fresh grout can bring them back to life. Now and again the best renovation is about revealing what’s already there rather than covering it up with something new, or even restoring what was there originally, like a blocked-up chimney and fireplace, or replacing a floor to its old self.
Making Small Changes Count
It’s amazing how a tiny change can make such an effort. For example, swapping out light fixtures, changing cabinet handles, or painting walls can shift how a room feels bit by bit. These small updates often make more impact than expensive changes and are worth investing in. To use some examples, a brand new tap can make an old sink feel current, especially if it has different functionalities like direct detaching spray nozzles for your kitchen. Lighting-wise, different light bulbs can warm up a cold-feeling room and positioning new lamps can help with a new orientation too. These aren’t dramatic changes, but they add up to create a fresh space that works better for you, so don’t dismiss them.
Materials Can Be Quality & Affordable
Good materials don’t always come from the biggest showrooms, and in some cases, you might be overpaying for them from such sources. Architectural salvage yards often have unique pieces at good prices, as can carpenters who use reclaimed wood to make you something custom that will last for years, giving you long-term value. Online marketplaces list barely used appliances from kitchen remodels too, so you might be able to piece together a kitchen if you match the measurements right. On top of this, some hardware stores run sales on discontinued items that work perfectly well. If you have time to plan out your renovation, you can benefit from saving on convenience.
With this advice, we hope you can renovate without necessarily having to go over budget.
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