Let’s face it, if you’re in the market to buy a home, you need to find ways to save money wherever possible, and if you’re selling your home, you want to give it a new, up-to-date look without investing money into it that you aren’t likely to get back. And with prices of building materials skyrocketing, now may not be the best time to go in on an extensive home improvement project.
Luckily, there are ways to save money on decorating your home, and on your real estate costs as well. You can start saving by partnering with a
real estate lawyer who offers online services. You get the same level of service but at a more cost-effective flat rate, and because everything is done virtually, it’s a lot more convenient.
So, whether you’re prepping your home for viewings, are at showings imagining how to make a home your own, or you just want a new look in your home, the tips below can give you the style you want without tearing down your savings.
Look for Low-to-No Cost Pieces
A good place to start is online. You can land some great finds on Facebook Marketplace, Kijiji, Craigslist, etc., but you have to be persistent and constantly checking for new ads. Competition is fierce, but it’s well worth the effort, especially if you find something in the ‘free stuff’ ads that can be restored for pennies and some elbow grease.
The same goes for checking out secondhand stores, thrift stores, government auctions, estate sales, consignment shops and yard sales; a beat-up looking couch can be hard to look at, but if the structure is still solid and its design fits a space in your home, the sky’s the limit with some new upholstery.
If you need to offload some of your own furniture, appliances, etc., keep in mind that some organizations, like Habitat for Humanity, not only sell used items, but many of their locations also offer free pick-up service for large donated items, saving you money on removal costs.
Upgrade Your Own Furniture
If you want to completely change the look of a current space, clear it out until it’s a blank canvas and when you’ve decided on how you want it to look, turn a new eye to the furniture and accessories you removed and imagine ways to paint, polish and re-upholster them to fit your vision. Dressers, cupboards, cabinets, etc., can be drastically changed with new hardware and furniture paint.
Get Creative With a Paintbrush
Paint is your best friend when you want to shake up the look of a room, and the possibilities are endless. You can create an accent wall, paint the ceiling, the floorboards, doors, etc., and you can use colors to highlight architectural features or create the illusion of new ones.
If you’re selling your home, go with neutral, understated hues, especially ones that reflect light to brighten your home and make it look more spacious. If, however, you’re moving in, go nuts with a bold signature color if that’s your heart’s desire. That’s the beauty of paint. It can completely transform a space with little time and effort.
DIY Window Treatments
Like paint, window treatments can drastically change the look of a room. Cheap and flimsy blinds and drapes, unfortunately, look cheap and may not match the look you are probably going for if you’re making an effort to decorate your home.
That said, however, elegant-looking lined draperies in materials like silk, linen and cotton are reasonably priced, are a good value buy considering their luxurious look and are widely available in many masses retail stores.
The other option is to find the perfect color or pattern of your favorite material, break out the sewing machine and make your own exclusively designed drapes that out-classes anything you saw in the stores or online – and to do it at a fraction of the cost!
Images from RB Apartment by Maya Sheinberger Interior Design – See the full story here
