10 easy and affordable home renovation tips
If you’re looking to spruce up your home in the new year and the budget is quite limited, don’t fret. Brights Hardware has put together a list of quick and pocket-friendly DIY home-improvement projects to help you upgrade and have your home looking its best.
A “new” front door
This is a good place to start as the front entrance is the first thing visitors see when arriving at your house. “To start, you can give your front door a new coat of paint. For those feeling bold you can try a bright colour of your choice,” says Orlando Luis, CEO of Brights. “Adding some new handles to the door will have your front door looking good as new. If your door is beyond rescue, replace it with a new one – just ensure the new door will fit into the existing door frame.”
For a finishing touch position some pots with ornamental trees or flowers alongside the door.
Paint, Paint, Paint
Paint is a good go-to home renovation solution for any room. “Paint is a wonderful way to update and brighten any space,” says Luis. “Whether you are redoing a colour scheme or just refreshing old tired paint with a fresh coat, this is a sure-fire way to get your home looking and feeling refreshed.”
Luis advises that before painting, surface preparation is important and it is recommended that you take this opportunity to also repair cracks and holes in your walls before applying the new coat of paint.
Light it up
New light fixtures will brighten up your home and modernise an outdated space. “There are so many different styles and types to choose from that you will find something to match any taste. Make sure that you turn off the power at the breaker box and connect the new wires. If you are uncertain about working with electricity rather get an electrician in to help you with this one,” advises Luis.
Bright new bathroom
New taps and shower head. In addition to a fresh coat of paint and a new light, replacing the old taps and shower head in your bathroom is another way to modernise and refresh this space. An added bonus is that many of the new products on the market are water-wise - which will help you meet the water-restriction targets, and you will save on your water bill every month too.
“Just ensure that you choose new ones that match your current configuration otherwise you will end up having to redo the actual plumbing, which can be time consuming and costly,” cautions Luis.
De-clutter
Putting up a modern bathroom cabinet is a great addition to any bathroom, and adds storage space so that unsightly bottles and containers can be kept out of sight.
Splash out – re-tile
If budget allows, re-tiling the bathroom is a sure-fire way to update, refresh and reinvigorate this essential space in the home. “Much like lighting – there are so many different styles, colours and shapes of tiles to suite any taste or budget that you are sure to easily find those that are a match to your needs.”
What’s cooking in the kitchen
Much like the bathroom – a fresh coat of paint on the walls, a new light and some new taps will go a long way to revitalising your kitchen.
Paint the cabinets. “You don’t have to stop with just painting the walls,” advises Luis. “For those who may be unhappy with their tired and outdated kitchen cabinets but can’t afford to replace them, there are paint products available on the market that will allow you to paint them a fresh new colour – whether your kitchen cabinets are wood or melamine.”
Garden overhaul
Take out old grass
“Moving slightly out of the home - removing patchy, brown and unhealthy grass and replacing it with gravel/stone chip gives gardens an instant uplift and also means far less hassle in summer time given the current water situation in the Cape.”
Create an outdoor entertainment space
Luis further advises that you can quickly create an outdoor alfresco entertainment area by laying down paving stones – “perhaps in the shade of a favourite tree or near to a water feature or the swimming pool.”
“If the ground is level this is a project that can easily be undertaken in a few days as paving stones do not need a concrete foundation or substrate but can be placed directly onto the ground,” says Luis.
Put your feet up on some fresh new garden furniture
If budget allows you can treat yourself to some new outdoor furniture to finish off your entertainment space. “Otherwise there are paint products available that you can use to spruce up old garden furniture – whether it be metal, wood or plastic – with a fresh coat of paint.”
Luis advises that Brights Hardware has on-site experts in all of their stores to provide advice and guidance on any home renovations and upgrades. “Whatever you may be wanting to do around the house, our knowledgeable staff members can provide you with all the product insights and information that you need.”
Feature Image: Unsplash