When we talk to prospective clients, it’s clear that people are very concerned about the cost of home makeovers and renovation. A home update can be expensive – but it doesn’t have to be! There are numerous budget-friendly painting and updating strategies that can bring a lot of bang, for not a lot of buck.
These are some of our favorite frugal painting tips for people who want affordable home makeovers.
How to Update Your Home on a Small Budget
1 – Set your budget in stone – but leave some overhead
Of course, the first thing you want to do is figure out how much you have to spend on your home makeover. Once you’ve set a budget, don’t succumb to the temptation to exceed it.
However, you should leave yourself a little overhead, just in case something goes wrong or there’s an unexpected extra cost. Around 10% is typically good. So, for example, if someone had $2,000 to put towards their home makeover, they should treat their budget as though it’s $1,800. Then the final $200 is there if they need it, and that helps ensure they don’t exceed the budget.
2 – DIY what you can
While it’s not hard to find budget-friendly painting services, you don’t have to rely on hired painters for everything. They can handle the big jobs like repainting rooms, or your exterior, while you DIY smaller things such as repainting cabinets, railings, or furniture. Splitting the work between pros and yourself is a great way to save money.
3 – Accent walls look great and save money
An accent wall is simply one wall in a room that is painted a different color, typically a color complementary to the rest of the room. This causes that wall to stand out and draw attention, while subtly changing the mood.
Best of all, painting an accent wall creates a big effect at 1/4 the price of fully repainting the room. It’s a rare case of a popular design style that is also perfect for people working on a small budget.
4 – Don’t overspend on lighting
Setting up a few strategically located floor lights, or even stand-up lamps, can do a lot to make a room brighter, moodier, shadowy, or anything in between. A change in lighting can be almost as effective as a new paint job – and it doesn’t have to cost much. Basic home lighting from “big box” stores is fine for most home projects; there’s truly no need to buy fancy light fixtures.
5 – Go thrifting
Want interesting new items to go in your home, or some new furniture? Start looking at thrift stores! If you live in an area with several thrift stores, you’ll have a wealth of options – for cheap. You never know what you’ll find, and it’s easy to come across quirky or unique pieces. The thrill of finding something great at a thrift shop, for just a few bucks, is hard to beat.
For the best in budget-friendly painting services in Westchester County, just call C.E.T. Painting. We’ll work with you to fit your needs and budget!