Making an Impact Without Breaking the Bank

If it’s time for a fresh look in your home, but you’re afraid it will cost a fortune, you’re in luck! Our feature this issue is all about making your humble abode look new – but without spending a lot! Here are 5 quick tips to get you started.
 
  1. Start at the front.
 
The first thing you, or anyone who visits your home, will notice is the front door and handle. Spruce up that front door with a new coat of paint! And don’t forget the trim. One bonus of repainting is that you’ll need to clear off the porch, which is the perfect opportunity to de-clutter and put away anything that doesn’t belong there!
 
Also consider cleaning the door handle – or even upgrading to a new one! You probably don’t even notice the door handle, but it’s the first thing people look at when they’re new to your home!
 
Add some beautiful healthy plants and viola! The front of your house has gone from blah to ah!
 
2. A little paint can have a BIG IMPACT!
 
Consider painting the following:
 
a) The ceiling (anything but white)
b) The walls and use a contrasting color for the trim
c) Your kitchen cabinets
d) Unmatched furniture using the same color (like white). Of course this would not add value to any antique or vintage pieces, so choose carefully.
 
3. Shed a little light on the subject
 
Adding track lighting can have a huge impact, especially in a dark room. Or consider accent lights instead of table lamps. Spotlights too can make a big difference. All of these options can be easily and inexpensively obtained at home or discount stores.
 
4. Trim vegetation away from your windows.
 
It’s always a little surprising how much brighter your home is when you’ve trimmed away bushes and trees from the window. Sure we don’t really notice them much because they grow slowly but a nice trim can make a huge difference in the amount of light that comes through your window.
 
5. Spruce up your yard.
 
If this task seems daunting consider doing this in small stages. Start by creating a small focal point such as a bird bath or bird feeder and decorate this area with lush plants and/or a pretty bench or some other decoration. This creates a nice oasis and might inspire you to create another vignette. A little bit at a time and soon you will have accomplished a yardscape makeover!
 
Here’s a hint: If you want to make a small yard look bigger, use curves! A curved path, for example, fools the eye into thinking the area is larger than it really is!
 
Bonus Tip: Use ordinary items in not so ordinary ways:
 
When you get creative, you can find items that are very useful in ways that were not intended. A computer cart could be a good serving tray or towel rings might make great handles for something else. When you go shopping with the idea that you want to re-purpose your purchase, the sky can be the limit!
 
Do you feel like these are great ideas, but “who has the time?” Want help implementing some of these tips?

Read on for our July special offer!