When it comes to making changes to a home, the obvious ones like switching the flooring and painting the walls come to mind. There are easier and often overlooked DIYs, though, that can make your home look better without a significant financial investment.
If you want to make your dollars stretch farther, try these inexpensive (and sometimes free) swaps to elevate the look of your home.
1. Switch Outlets and Outlet Covers
Sometimes, the smallest details can derail a room’s design — like outlet covers, for example. Old, yellowing receptacles look dingy and out of place next to a freshly painted wall.
Update your receptacles, light switches, and outlet covers for about $1-$5 each. Switching out receptacles is an easy DIY for someone with electrical experience. If doing so is out of your skillset, hire an electrician to make the switch for you.
2. Update Your Hardware
The easiest way to breathe new life into your cabinets, TV stands, tables, and dressers is with new hardware. Replacing hardware can completely change the look of a piece. Go for a modern look with matte black streamlined pulls, opt for a whimsical knob for an eclectic room, or enhance a farmhouse style with oil-rubbed bronze.
Purchase new knobs and pulls for as little as $1-$3 apiece. The new hardware will transform your space on a meager budget.
3. Replace Boob Lights
Boob lights (flush-mounted light fixtures with a convex outline) are prominent in many homes since they’re inexpensive and easy for contractors to install. While these lights illuminate a space, they can make your home feel cheap or builder-grade.
Swap out your boob lights to match the design of your room. Consider chandeliers for dining rooms and bedrooms. For spaces that still need flush mounts, try those with glass or rattan shades to add interest.
4. Get Rid of Excess Clutter
Clutter cheapens a house. It can also lead to stress and anxiety. The best free way to elevate the look of your home and boost your mental health? Get rid of items you don’t love, need, or use.
The best decluttering method is to work on one small space at a time. Start with a drawer or a corner of a room. Throw out trash, then collect items that are easy to get rid of and add them to a donation box. Evaluate the remaining items, removing anything you don’t love or haven’t used in a year. Organize the rest. Repeat until you’ve made it through your entire home. Alternatively, you can try a decluttering challenge for quick motivation.
5. Hang Your Curtain Rod Higher
Many expensive homes feature high ceilings and long, drapey curtains. You can emulate this look by hanging your curtains at least 4-6 inches above the frame to create the illusion of a higher ceiling.
Also, make sure that your curtains are long enough. There are three ideal curtain lengths — curtains should be ½ inch off the floor, barely scrape the floor, or “pool” on the floor with 6-12 inches of extra fabric.
6. Break Up Furniture Sets
There’s no denying it: it’s convenient to find a couch you like and purchase the matching loveseat and chairs. However, if you want your house to look more high-end, break up your furniture sets and go for a collected look.
There are some instances, like in formal or traditional settings, where having some matching pieces works. Still, aim to limit your matching sets. Instead, work on a curated look to add texture and visual interest to your room.
7. Switch Up Your Art
Mass-produced wall art and signs with lettering can cheapen a home’s look. If you like these, then by all means keep them. But, if you’re trying to elevate the look of your home, consider thrift shopping for vintage wall art and high-quality frames. You can also order custom prints to put in the frames you find.
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