If your home has you feeling down in the dumps but you lack the cash to fix it up, know that not everything upgrade has to cost you a big amount of money.
Realtor.com offers ways to make your home feel like a totally different place through small changes and small expenses.
New hardware : Swapping out the boring hardware the previous owners installed can go a long way toward making your home look like yours – not to mention, give the entire space an easy, inexpensive refresh. Depending on your style, new pulls or handles can cost mere dollars.
Small paint jobs : Don’t have time to repaint your entire home? Start by tackling smaller jobs such as your front door or kitchen cabinets. Since the projects are quick, you can squeeze them in during the weekend. You’ll use only a fraction of a gallon of paint (which costs between $15 and $30) – making for an ideal impact to expenses ratio. If you like your cabinets, consider repainting the trim in your living room or adding some fresh color to a small room such as your bathroom.
Sensor lights : Tired of scrambling for the light switch while your arms are holding bags of groceries? Add sensor lights to your front porch and any other entrances such as your garage door. Starting at just $15, it’s a tiny cost with a big reward. These lights won’t just improve your visibility – they’ll also lower your electricity bill.
Magnetic door catch : Adding a magnetic door catch to your primary entrance drastically simplifies loading and unloading. No more awkward sideways crab walks as you attempt to keep the door open while carrying a big package. You might even consider installing this before moving day to make your movers’ job easier.
Keyless entry pad : If you’re always losing your keys, try investing in a keyless entry pad. Plus, you’re not the only one who benefits. If you’re expecting guests but won’t be available to greet them, they can let themselves in – a huge improvement from hiding a key, which might be a safety risk.
Low-flow toilet : It may seem intimidating to those not interested in DIY, but swapping out toilets is a simple process. Choose a high-efficiency or low-flow toilet to save money on your water bill. With a high-efficiency model, you’ll use about 300 fewer gallons a year – if not much more.
Fresh mulch : Jazzing up the outside of your home can go a long way toward making you love where you live. While you could go all out, landscaping the yard and painting the trim, there’s a simpler solution which is mulch. Instead of old and grimy dirt, a fresh new layer looks clean, fresh and pretty – making a huge difference for just $6.
