High Value, Low Cost Remodeling Projects For New Homeowners

8 Low Cost Remodeling Projects You Can Do Yourself

Few things are more satifying than a successful DIY Remodeling Project. But DIY projects can also become a nightmare if you tackle something too complex or if you don't have the right tools and know how.

If your rooms look a little worn out, tired, or boring, you might think you need a full-scale remodel to inject some life back into them but these low cost remodeling projects might be all you need.

At McManus Kitchen and Bath, we want you to love where you live every day. Sometimes that does involve a remodel or addition. Other times, you just need an idea or two that will breathe some life back into your home.

Read on for some low cost home projects that you can do yourself... some of them don't even require tools!

Easy, Low Cost Remodeling Projects

There are several easy things you can do that will refresh your Tallahassee home and give you a lot of bang for your buck! Try one or more of these low cost remodeling projects and see how much more you love your home right away.

A Fresh Coat of Paint

One of the most drastic changes that can be made to a room is an update with a fresh coat of paint. By painting a room, you can completely change its feel. Painting a room isn’t hard–just make sure to have painter’s tape, a clean roller, and an angled brush on hand. If you’re going from light paint to something darker, you can usually get away with using quality paint with primer in it. If you’re trying to lighten a dark room, it’s generally best to paint the walls with a primer coat before applying your color. 

How To Paint Your Home

There are lots of tutorials out there on how to paint but I like the Home Renovisions channel the best. Jeff gives easy to follow, complete explanations that include tool recommendations as well as technique. 

Also Keep these tips in mind:

• Choose a quality paint brand
• If you have a small room, choose either light colors or dark colors–stay away from medium shades that can make it look smaller than it is.
• Similarly, cool colors tend to recede, which can also make a room look bigger.
• If you have kids, consider an eggshell finish, which has a slight sheen. It’s more resistant to scuffs and easier to clean than flat paint.
• If you don’t want to paint your whole room, paint an accent wall a contrasting color. This can add interest and be a focal point. 

New Soft Goods

A low cost remodeling project that doesn't even require tools is tossing some new blankets and throw pillows on your couch.

Changing up your soft goods can drastically improve your home’s ambiance and give it the fresh feel you’re after.

Consider replacing other soft goods as well, like hand towels in the kitchen and bathrooms, and even new curtains throughout your home. Textiles bring depth and texture to a space. 

Consider the following:

• Where can you add more textures to your home? You could drape a blanket over an armchair or the back of the couch. Put throw pillows on the couch of course, but also maybe on a bench in the entryway or on barstools in the kitchen.
• Remember that generally, groupings of odd numbers are more appealing than groupings of even numbers. Two throw pillows and one blanket (three items) will often look better than two or four throw pillows.
• Blankets and throw pillows are one of the easiest ways to decorate seasonally! Choose chunky blankets in the winter and light throws in the summer. Pillow covers can be velvety or knitted in the winter and burlap or cotton in the summer.
• If you don’t want to invest in new curtains, just washing and rehanging them will freshen the space.
• You can store extra blankets in a basket next to the couch. The basket will add even more texture to the room!

Pulls and Knobs

If your kitchen is feeling dated, try the quick and refreshing fix of changing out old cabinet knobs and pulls for new ones. This switch is easy to do and the results are immediate. You can change the look of the whole kitchen cabinets by switching out, say, silver knobs for matte black ones.

• Right now, gold is very on-trend. For something more classic, brass or nickel stands the test of time.
• For pulls, go with simple bars, either rounded or square. Or choose something fun, knowing how easy it is to change them out if you get tired of them!
• You can also choose colored glass or ceramic to make your cabinets more eye-catching.

Drawers and Cabinet Organizers

If your house looks pretty good but isn’t functioning at its best, it can still get you down. Consider investing in drawer and cabinet organizers to make your life easier. Organizing your kitchen or bathroom is a great way to help you love your house a little more. You can completely change the way your kitchen or bathroom functions by spending some time throwing out things that have expired or that you no longer need, and organizing what’s left.

• Check out this blog for step-by-step tips on how to organize your cabinets and drawers.
• Make sure you declutter as you go! There’s no sense in organizing stuff you really don’t want or need anymore.
• Need motivation? Imagine how nice it will be to open a drawer or cabinet and, rather than digging through a pile, be able to easily find what you want.

Slightly More Involved But Still Low Cost Remodeling Projects You Can DIY

If you’re willing to put a little bit more time and money into your home project, here are a few more DIY projects that are easy to accomplish. They make a huge difference in the look and feel of your house, and will require a few more steps to get there.

Dimmable Lights

Lighting completely changes the way a room feels, and even your mood in it. If you’re only using bright, overhead task lights throughout your house, you might be surprised by how much you enjoy having the ability to bring the lights down a notch to quiet the mood. While bright white lights create a fresh and inviting atmosphere, giving you the ability to focus on a task, dimmer mood lighting can create intimacy and peacefulness. Rather than having to choose one or the other, by putting your lights on dimmers, you can have whichever one you want at the moment.

Remember:

• Always turn off the power at the breaker box before doing anything involving electricity.
• Check online for tutorials if you need help installing a dimmer switch.
• Make sure the bulbs have dimming capabilities. A regular bulb can overheat when connected to a dimmer switch.

New Fixtures

Another easy way to affect the lighting in a room is by changing out the light fixture itself. Replacing an old chandelier or builder-grade flush mount dome light with a modern pendant can completely change the way a room feels. You can inject a feeling of playfulness, stylishness, or comfortability into a space by choosing a different light fixture.

• The type of fixture also changes the way the light is cast in the room, which can affect the atmosphere of the space.
• A good way to choose a new light fixture is to pick your favorite element in the room (a cozy chair! A modern sofa! A rustic fireplace!) and make your light fixture complement it.
• Remember the three main types of lighting: task lighting, ambient lighting, and accent lighting. Which type does your space need? Choose a fixture that meets that need.

New Coverplates & Switches/Outlets

If you're not chaning colors just replacing the your coverplates is a nice easy update. But if you want to change colors you'll need to change the plate and the device (plug or swtich).

Changing your switches and outlets can be seem a little daunting at first but it's not that hard and safe if you take the proper precautions. Here is a good tutorial. 

Don't do anything you are not comfortable with. If you're not sure it's better to call a pro. 

If you wanto get really fancy we love these switches and outlets from Buster and Punch. 

Refinish Your Cabinets

Refinishing your cabinets means sanding down the existing cabinets, painting or staining the doors, and then rehanging them. The least expensive, most bang-for-your-buck way to transform your kitchen is to refinish your kitchen cabinets. Repainting cabinets will completely change the look of your kitchen for a fraction of the cost of replacing the cabinets or completely remodeling the kitchen. 

Keep in mind:

• If you’re repainting your cabinets, choose paint that is designed for high-traffic areas. Use semi-gloss, gloss, or satin finish. Consider using water-based Alkyd paint instead of acrylic or oil.
• For a really quick change, consider using peel-and-stick wallpaper for the fronts of your cabinets. It may not last as long as paint or new doors, but it will give you a fun look!
• You can paint or stain your new doors if you decide to reface your cabinets, giving you virtually endless options.
• Refacing cabinets generally costs less than a third of installing all new cabinets.
• For more information about the pros and cons of refinishing and refacing cabinets, see this post.

• A Re-Tiled Backsplash

  Another key detail in the overall look of a kitchen is the backsplash. If yours is tired or dated, or doesn’t fit well with your style, consider re-tiling and updating it. You can add some much-needed color or a new pattern to your kitchen without having to change anything else. A box of mosaic tiles doesn’t cost very much, and doing the application yourself also saves money (see this blog post for more on tile installation costs). The key to re-tiling is to do your homework before starting to make sure the application goes smoothly and your kitchen comes out looking fresh and new.

  • The easiest way to install a backsplash is to use square tiles and an adhesive mat. You can also use pre-mixed grout.
  • Remove switch plates and outlet covers before you begin.
  • Make sure your countertop is level. If it’s not, you’ll need to draw a level line to keep your tiles straight.
  • Use multi-colored tiles, pure white, neutrals, or patterned tiles. The sky (and your imagination) is the limit!

  Ready for a Bigger Remodel?

  If your home needs a little more work than what you can do yourself, contact us today. We would love to help with a larger transformation and help your home be the absolute best it can be. We look forward to hearing from you soon!