20 DIY Ways to Update Your Home on a Small Budget

Number six is a game-changer.

eHow may earn compensation through affiliate links in this story. Learn more about our affiliate and product review process here.
Image Credit: eHow

Home renovations are typically thought of pricey, time-consuming projects. You don't need a costly contractor or interior designer to update your home — instead, try one of these DIY ways to update your home on a small budget. From freshening up your kitchen to upgrading your light fixtures, you can make your home look like it just came out of a design magazine without clearing out your bank account.

Advertisement

1. Update Your Kitchen Tile Backsplash

Video of the Day

Adding a tile backsplash to your kitchen is much easier than it looks — and totally affordable, too. Even renters can do this simple DIY upgrade — just be sure your landlord is okay with a few screws in the wall.

Advertisement

Video of the Day

2. Swap Out Old Lights for New Light Fixtures

You don't need to hire an electrician to change your lighting fixtures. You can easily switch one out for an upgrade that can really change the look and feel of an entire room.

Advertisement

Mason Jar Light Fixture

You don't need expensive lighting fixtures to update your home. Switch out your existing light fixtures for mason jars to make your home feel inviting and rustic.

Advertisement

3. Add a Rustic Wall Rack

One of the easiest ways to free up counter space in your kitchen is with a rustic magnetic wall rack. You can use it to hang anything metal — especially knives — for a functional piece that also doubles as cool decor.

Advertisement

Advertisement

4. Add Hanging Wood Shelves

Need more shelf space but don't have the room or budget for a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit? A few pieces of plywood, rope and steel pipe will make a hanging shelf rack that only looks expensive.

Advertisement

5. Build a Window Box Planter

Brighten up an otherwise dreary exterior with a colorful window box planter. You can make this one for about $20 and it will only take you an hour. You only have to worry about what you want to plant first!

Advertisement

6. Consider Faux Built Ins With Pre-Fab Bookshelves

For many people, built-in bookcases are the things of home decor dreams. It would be costly, timely and difficult to hire a carpenter to alter your home's walls to build bookshelves. Instead, use this DIY to make your already existing bookcases look like they were built into your walls.

Advertisement

Advertisement

7. Create a Wood Pallet Accent Wall

You can't log into Pinterest without seeing wood pallets being used for some sort of home decor. Add texture and a rustic cabin vibe to a room in only an hour with this easy wood pallet accent wall DIY.

8. Build a Board and Batten Fireplace Surround

Turn your fireplace into the focal point of a room by adding texture and depth with an accent piece. You can create this beautiful custom designed fireplace with one piece of plywood!

9. Add Custom Wainscoting

Wainscoting is a detail that can make a room feel next level. Typically seen in older constructions, you can create your own to give your home more character.

Advertisement

10. Add Crown Molding

Add value and architectural interest to your home by installing crown molding. It's extremely affordable to buy and the hardest part is just measuring correctly — there's no need to hire a contract for this renovation!

11. Create a Wallpaper Accent Wall

A gorgeous wallpaper accent wall is one of the biggest trends in home decor right now. Whether you own your home or you're renting, you can complete this easy upgrade in less than an hour on a Sunday afternoon.

12. Use Paint for a Patterned Accent Wall

Alternatively, if you don't want to use wallpaper for an accent wall, there are other ways to achieve this look. All you need for this DIY is a sharpie paint pen and a glass bowl.

Advertisement

13. Hang Simple Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a wonderful way to add storage to a room without taking up valuable floor space. Use your new storage space to display books, framed photos or even plants and memorabilia.

14. Flip a Dresser Into Bath Vanity

Counter space is often precious in bathrooms. Turn your pedestal sink into a bath vanity by altering an old dresser in just a few simple steps.

15. Clean Grout

One way to make your bathroom feel brand new is by simply cleaning the grout! Buy a grout paint pen and spend an hour or two making your bathroom sparkle.

16. Add a Radiator Cover

Radiators may add character and warmth (pun intended) to a room, but sometimes they aren't always the prettiest to look at. Build a radiator cover to hide your unsightly radiator and add some extra counter or shelf space in the process.

17. Remove Wallpaper

The wrong wallpaper can make your room and even your entire home feel dated. If you want to ditch the floral pattern your home's previous owner installed, use these tips to easily remove even the most difficult wallpaper.

18. Restore Brass Hardware

Older homes often have beautiful brass hardware that may have been painted over in years of renovation and updating. Restoring this hardware by stripping off the paint can make a room feel completely brand new and modern.

19. Build Your Own Handmade Furniture

Want new living room furniture but don't have the budget to update the entire room? You can make your own living room furniture like a plant stand, coffee table, storage bench coffee table and more by upgrading yard sale finds or pieces you already have.

20. Build DIY Outdoor Lighting

The outdoor area of a house is an often overlooked spot that can really take a home from ordinary to extraordinary. Make inexpensive outdoor lights to take your outdoor space to the next level.

Advertisement