Renovating on a budget - ideas to simplify your project. Don't be afraid to change your style!

We've all wanted to do home improvements to increase the value of our homes. Maybe you're looking to sell and you want to get the best offer but you don't want to spend a fortune getting there? There's a fine line between adding value and spending a lot! If you're looking to stay in your home for a while you might have more reason to spend a little more. This, over time will add extra value to your home so you won't be out of pocket. To know what improvements to do, you really need to work out what bracket you fit into. I recently wrote a blog about updating kitchens and what they can do for your home. If you're looking at improvements then this is a good place to start. A lot of people look for a feature kitchen. Our lives have changed and, as I said in the last blog, we want, need and expect more from our homes now more than ever. You have a few options with the kitchen and starting off at the most expensive end, you could add an extension. Gaining more space for your existing home is often cheaper than buying a place that already has this space. You don't incur the moving costs, the solicitor's bill and the likelihood is that you would still want to decorate and put your stamp on it. If you're just looking to update your existing kitchen you could consider changing the cupboard doors and work surfaces. This is a quick and easy way to revamp what you already have and in terms of money and time it shouldn't be a big job. There is also a new trend where you can quite literally cover your existing units and work surfaces or even paint them. This is obviously the cheapest option and you can do it yourself. However this isn't a long lasting solution and is probably only best if you're thinking of staying in the property and using it as a 'stop-gap' until you know exactly what you would like, or until you have managed to save for your dream kitchen. Depending on what home you have you might even have some period features that you can reinstall, revamp or uncover. Maybe you have a fire place that has been boarded up. This could easily alter the feel and design of any room. If you're fortunate enough to have these features then make use of them. I know that not everyone has a garden but if you do then get those green fingers out. This is something that you can do yourself if you're wanting to complete it on a smaller budget and all of your money can then be spent on plants and accessories. However, if you would like the tailored professional look then employ a landscape gardener. They really do know what they're doing and a landscape gardener can add some real value to your home. There are many sites online with some excellent ideas on home improvements to suit any budget. Check these out for example. https://www.money.co.uk/guides/9-easy-ways-to-add-value-to-your-home.htm https://www.frugalandthriving.com.au/8-ways-to-improve-the-value-of-your-property-without-breaking-the-budget/ Essentially whatever you want to do to your home, whether it's for yourself or to entice a buyer/renter there are many ways to do so. There are varying different levels of improvements and with them come different levels of budgets. You will and can do whatever you want to your home. It is your home, your style and your money, don't be swayed by someone else.... trust your instincts!