Simple Remodeling Hacks That Transform a Home

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You love your home, but there are times when a little change is helpful or necessary. One of the easiest ways to achieve that goal is to make simple alterations to your surroundings.

Although it might be tempting to remodel your entire home, that option might not be in your budget. That’s where these simple remodeling hacks come into play.

These ideas can help you achieve some incredible results without taking a lot of time or money to accomplish your goals.

What Are the Best Ways to Transform a Home on a Budget? 

1. Contact Paper

If your counters look outdated, dull, or worn, you can use contact paper to change the look of an entire room. Although the bathroom is the best spot for this change, you can use it in the kitchen if you have laminate counters. 

The best way to do this job is to remove the sink or other inset items, but you could cut around them for a fast and affordable change. 

2. Plank Your Walls

Shiplap is becoming a popular way to dress up walls in homes. It offers a traditional feel while providing several options for decorative designs, colors, or natural materials.

If you want to change the look of a room, try removing the drywall from the studs and replacing it with shiplap boards. You’ll maintain the insulation R-value while having an affordable way to alter the character of that space. 

3. Fix the Fireplace

Fireplaces tend to be the centerpiece of the rooms where they are located. A quick fix-up can change everything about that space if it looks old, burned out, or dilapidated. The first step is to clean the brick or stone. If that isn’t enough, you could try replacing old brick with tile, changing the mantle, or adding trim around the installation to create a more formal look. 

4. Replace Vent Covers

Vent covers can start looking rusty, shoddy, and beat-up after a few years. Most HVAC systems use standardized fittings for this component, which means you can pull up an old one and put in a new cover in seconds. 

5. Paint a Ceiling Fan

The traditional ceiling fan design uses dark blades with a wooden grain (as laminate) with bright metal hardware, such as brass or chrome. That look might not work for the modern home.

You can make a ceiling fan look entirely different by painting it differently. For example, placing stencils on the blades can add an artistic touch to this fixture.

6. Add Wainscoting

If you want to give a room a high-end look, consider adding wainscotting to the bottom portion of the wall. It takes a few pieces of wood and some paint to get the job done. You don’t even need to add fancy shapes to the panels.

For many homeowners, the most expensive part of this job is the saw needed to cut the boards and trim them to size. However, some lumber yards will do this work for you if you bring them your measurements so that you can install everything.

7. Paint Old Panels

Some homes (especially from the 1960s and 1970s) have dark wooden panels installed on top of the drywall. Although that makes a room feel “vintage,” it can also make it dark and small. Adding a fresh coat of lighter paint can change the look to something more contemporary. Once you’ve finished, it’ll look like you added shiplap for a fraction of the cost. 

8. Change Your Faucets

Swapping the old faucets in your kitchen and bathroom for something new can help you achieve a more modern look. If you don’t have the money for new hardware, consider giving it a new look with a few coats of your favorite waterproof spray paint.

9. Add Shelves

If you have a lot of clutter at home, especially in the kitchen, consider adding small shelves to your cabinet ends. To keep your counters clear, you can keep cookbooks, recipes, notes, oven mitts, and similar items in this space.

10. Paint Your Floor

Linoleum floors had a time and place, but that isn’t today. If your floor experienced some damage or is just old and requires replacement, consider giving it some paint instead. You can still replace it eventually while updating the look right now.

It doesn’t take much to remodel a room with these simple ideas. However, if you want a more extensive renovation completed, reach out to the King Installation team at your convenience to discuss your ideas!

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