Budget-Friendly Summer Home Projects
Upgrade Cabinets with New Hardware
Old-fashioned cabinet handles and hinges can make an entire kitchen or bathroom look outdated. Replacing hardware with a newer style is an easy way to upgrade the room without going to the expense of buying new cabinets.
Here are some helpful resources for cabinet and door handles:
Add Window Shutters with Color Contrast
Windows without shutters can make a home feel bare, even if people don't consciously notice the fact that shutters are missing. (Just imagine how different the home in the photo above would look if it didn't have dark shutters.)
Choosing a shutter color that contrasts strongly with a home's primary color often creates great results.
Replace Old Lighting
The sky's the limit when it comes to the cost of some lighting styles, but if old-fashioned fixtures are bringing down your home's value, there are some very reasonable, modern-looking options that allow for a quick and budget-friendly refresh.
Make the Front Door "Pop"
A front door color that contrasts strongly with the trim or the main house color attracts the eye and adds to curb appeal.
Even a dark or somber color can look crisp and vibrant if the surrounding trim or main home color is light enough to produce a sharp contrast.
Revive Wood Cabinets and Trim
Older wood surfaces can fade or accumulate water stains over time. A surprisingly simple way to bring back some of the richness of the wood is to wipe it with Danish Oil.
This often works very well on faded oak cabinets that are making a kitchen or bathroom look old. (It's a good idea to try any method on a small test area first.)
Paint the Garage Doors
Painting white garage doors to match or coordinate with a home's primary or accent color often results in a more modern look with greater curb appeal.
If the new garage door color is the same or very similar to the home's body color, it usually works well to use a trim color that frames the door with a contrasting border.
Replace Outdated Flooring
New flooring is another project that can easily generate a large bill, but if you're looking for a cost-friendly option to quickly turn an area with old vinyl or worn carpet into an asset instead of a liability, Luxury Vinyl Plank click lock flooring might be the answer.
Sterling Oak Luxury Vinyl Plank - Photo courtesy of Home Depot
Luxury Vinyl Plank is durable, looks like hardwood, and the click lock version is relatively easy to install. It's safe to use over slab floors, and many versions are waterproof.
The cost at large hardware stores is often in the $2.00 to $4.00 per square foot range. Click here to see examples at Home Depot.
Create Crisp Borders with Landscaping
The photo above shows brick tile, but even something as simple and easy to install as the plastic landscape edging sold at hardware stores will create a clean border.
Use this concept along with cedar bark, mulch, or flowers in landscaping beds to create a strong color contrast that's pleasing to the eye.
The Bottom Line
Most of the projects listed here involve either creating a significant color contrast or replacing outdated and worn features with more modern (but not necessarily expensive) items.
Whether the goal is personal enjoyment or preparing for a sale, simple projects like these can make a huge difference in improving a home's look, feel, and value.
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