#3 Remove every item that is just “taking up space.” If it doesn’t have a true purpose and meaning, find a new home for it. We can’t breathe because our airspace is being occupied by too much stuff. The quickest and most affordable update that you can do is to de-clutter your home. Start with your bedroom. Studies have proven that sleeping and waking up in a messy room add stress to your life.
#4 Change the bedding. Mix and match bedding can be found at affordable prices now in every store. The designers who are adding product lines in the major discount stores are doing a great job of bringing fantastic textile design to everyone. Overstock.com offers great pricing on bedding sets.
#5 Reglaze those old tiles or countertops! Your dated bathroom and kitchen are driving you crazy – but renovating is out of the question. Reglaze – everything – tub, sink, tiles, countertops! It works, is relatively affordable and usually takes less than one day with no demolition. Find a local provider by searching “tile reglazing” in the yellow pages.
#6 Transform the kitchen cabinets with paint and new hardware! A new kitchen is often on hold for many of us, but we can accomplish great things with a can of paint and a sponge roller. Add new hardware or remove all of the old hardware and spray paint it with brushed nickel, or any finish you like. Then buy a new faucet in that same finish, completing the look.
#7 Paint an accent wall – rather than a whole room. This is a very quick and affordable way to bring new color and life into an otherwise boring paint job. Plus, if you don’t love it, how long does it take to paint one wall?
#8 Add fabulous fabrics and trim – in little doses. New throw pillows are one of the quickest updates for any room and are very affordable because they take so little fabric. Purchase remnants from a fabric store and if you don’t sew, have the pillows made at your local dry cleaner. Upgrade to down inserts. The pillows sit up nicely and are so comfy and squishy.
#9 Update the floor in a flash! There are so many new solutions for floating floors over old ones, without the hassle of demolition and glue! Visit your local flooring center to learn about how easy and economical it is to float a floor over your old one.
#10 Transform your room with 20 tiles. Replacing the existing tiles around a fireplace quickly changes the entire feel of a room. Since there is such little square footage involved, the price is more affordable than other tile projects, but hiring a handyman may be the easiest route to accomplishing this tiny, powerful task. Use larger tiles, adding texture with the trim tiles, to simplify the job. Since you are purchasing so few tiles, splurge on ones that you truly love.