8 

EASY 

HOME 

IMPROVEMENT 

IDEAS 

FOR 

YOUR 

NEXT 

PROJECT 

Each of us dreams of living in a cozy, well-designed home. While some DIYers take care of their own homes and seem to constantly renovate and update, this is not always the case for the rest of us.

Anyone who has undergone a major renovation knows the unexpected costs and mess it can cause. But how can we update our homes without undergoing major renovations? We’ve compiled a list of eight ways you can get started.

Listed below are 8 creative ways you can update your home without breaking the bank or tearing down walls.

1) MAKE YOUR HOME FEEL SPACIOUS

When it comes to home ownership and home buying, open floor plans top the list. Open floor plans are popular with homeowners, where the family room, kitchen and dining room are all connected. In addition, formal dining rooms are going out of style. With that in mind, perhaps now is the time to create more living space in your home, making it more enticing to both you and to your guests.

How can you do this without tearing out walls, you ask? Making your home feel open and spacious is easier than you may think. In some cases, opening up a room can be as simple as removing bigger furnishings or moving items around to see where they give the best sense of space.

Additionally, you could try painting the large armoire, cabinet, or other bulky furnishing that are taking up a lot of space a light off-white colour. This will help it “disappear” into the room, tricking the eye into thinking that the room is more spacious than it is.

Mirrors can also give the illusion of open space. When placed opposite windows, mirrors reflect light into the room and make it seem more spacious.

2) UPGRADE YOUR HOME’S LIGHTING

Having the right lighting in a room can truly make the space come alive. When a room is poorly lit, it appears dark, small and cramped, while a room that is brightly lit appears open, spacious and comfortable. Brightening up your home with lights can be done in numerous ways.

There are easier methods, such as buying table lamps and floor lamps for your home. You can make your room come alive by strategically placing a few tall floor lamps in dark corners. Another option is to pair them with lamps on side tables for a warm and cozy atmosphere.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you may want to consider replacing those out-dated ceiling fixtures with the stunning modern masterpieces that are currently on the market. Installation for this last step will likely require an electrician, but if you’re handy, a ceiling fixture can be easily replaced.

Whether you choose to keep it simple with floor lamps or go all out with new ceiling fixtures, we always recommend brightening up your home with plenty of light.

3) CABINETRY: REPLACE DRAWER PULLS AND DOOR HANDLES

Old-fashioned, worn, dirty handles and knobs will instantly date your kitchen and bathroom. There is no excuse not to update all your cabinet and door handles when it is really so simple to do, and there are so many ways to update your cabinetry!

You can choose from various finishes such as bronze, brushed nickel, aged copper, and shiny stainless steel. Today’s market offers so many modern options that selecting the one that most suits your home can be challenging. There are so many options available that you shouldn’t worry too much about the plethora of choices, after all you can always try one or two different styles to see what works best for the room.

In addition, there are really no hard and fast rules when it comes to choosing cabinet pulls and knobs. In essence, a country kitchen can look chic and updated with stainless steel knobs, whereas a modern kitchen can look cool and eclectic with vintage-style knobs.

It is a fairly simple process to upgrade your kitchen and bathroom cupboards. Make it a goal to upgrade your cabinetry this summer!

4) UPDATE WINDOW TREATMENTS

Windows are often overlooked. Most homeowners cannot decide what style will work best for their room, which leads them to leave the windows bare or just hang simple blinds to make the room more private. Here’s the thing, windows scream for a makeover! Leaving your windows bare means ignoring a whole spectrum of decorating opportunities.

Although people who are fortunate enough to enjoy views of the ocean or mountains may disagree, even the most beautiful views may be framed by stylish window panels. There are countless ways in which you can dress your windows. The possibilities are endless when it comes to curtains, from bold and graphic geometrics to beachy sheers and minimalist bamboo shades.

If you are overwhelmed by all the options, consider the existing colour schemes. Choosing curtain panels that match your walls’ colour can sometimes be the easiest solution, resulting in a sophisticated appearance.

5) CREATE AN OUTDOOR ROOM

It is easy to forget to search outside our own doors for unused space. The space around your home can still be utilized even if it does not have a spacious front porch or huge backyard patio. It just takes a little creative thinking.

Starting with an outdoor rug, you can turn your outdoor space into a beautiful space. Then add some comfortable outdoor chairs and throw cushions, a small fire pit, and some dangling string lights, and you’re set!

To make it fancier, you can lay down brick pavers or flagstones, then layer it with outdoor rugs, chairs etc. You could also build an elaborate pergola, drape the sides with privacy curtains, add an outdoor heater, and play some music while you enjoy a glass of wine. Sounds ideal, right?

Installing the pergola may take the weekend, but it will be worth it when you unwind outdoors with a glass of wine on a nice sunny Sunday evening.

6) HAVE YOUR YARD LANDSCAPED

We tend to overlook landscaping too often. Planting just one or two trees and assuming the job is done is not enough. The design of your landscaping can have a huge impact on curb appeal. No matter what your skill level is, you can still plant a few trees and shrubs as well as make a few raised garden beds.

Start by visiting your local greenhouse. Staff at these stores can usually provide you with expert advice about local plants. They can tell you what plants do well in your area as well as what plants are easy to care for. In many cases, there are landscape architects on staff at these garden centres who can design a plan for you as well.

Alternatively, if you want to begin landscaping your front yard slowly, plant a couple flowering shrubs, followed by a small raised bed around your front door or walkway. If you plant according to directions and plant taller plants in the back, you can have a beautiful landscaped yard. All it takes is time and patience.

7) ADD EASY TO INSTALL (AND REMOVE) WALLPAPER

We are not talking about your grandmother’s wallpaper here. We are talking about all of the new removable wallpapers that have recently entered the market. And we’re not talking about the tacky wall stickers either. These new removable wallpapers come in amazing patterns and graphics that will make your room seem as if an interior designer worked on it.

Most of these wallpapers can be removed and reused after they have been peeled off. without damaging the wall below. Make your bedroom more relaxing by covering the walls with a soothing pattern, or add pzazz to your living room by covering the wall with fun geometric patterned paper.

This wonderful wallpaper can be purchased from a variety of online stores. Just make sure you read the fine print carefully and purchase the best brands that can be easily removed.

8) IF IN DOUBT, CLEAN AND PAINT

Perhaps this list feels exhausting, or maybe you already feel overwhelmed by your home. It might make sense to focus on cleaning up the main living space first. Having our home deep-cleaned can elevate your mood (and, more importantly, make you want to do more).

It may seem obvious, but a fresh coat of paint can completely transform a room. Add a pop of colour on a wall accent, or just touch up your trim with some fresh white paint. If your home already has a fresh coat of paint, consider what else needs attention. Perhaps you can paint your ceiling a cool blue, or you can paint an old piece of furniture to give it a new look. 

As you can see, there are many ways to update your home without a major overhaul or huge costs. After analyzing this list and the rooms in your home, determine what are the most outdated features in your home. Then, start improving!

These small updates will go a long way toward renewing your home, your spirit and your sense of well-being. Have you made any recent home improvements? If not, what items from this list are you planning to tackle first?

Have questions about home improvements? Contact us.

We’d be happy to answer your questions.