7 Home Improvement Ideas on a Budget

Sarah Parker
Authored by Sarah Parker
Posted: Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - 15:09

When the words “home improvement” come up a lot of people think “oh no that’s too expensive” or “we can’t afford that”. However, with the right planning and knowledge Improving your home can be budget-friendly. Small home improvement projects can transform a space in more ways than you can imagine. The impact that little things have on the style and function of the room will surprise you. Some of these ideas may even make life easier for you. 

These home upgrades range from $100 to $500. depending on which upgrades you need indoor home hopefully this article aid in making the project soft on your wallet.  A lot of these home improvements also will help you save money and time in the future. 

  1. Purchase an eco-friendly dishwasher

Cost around $450+

If you don't have a dishwasher, you're wasting 40% more water by washing dishes by hand! With a dishwasher, you will free up time, adding at least 30 more minutes to your day. The results of using a dishwasher are also cleaner than washing by hand as each dishwasher has special technology to make appliances cleaner and brighter. The dishwasher gets rid of germs as the water temperature inside the dishwasher reaches up to 70 degrees Celsius (the minimum to kill germs is 60 degrees Celcius). 

If you already have one you may think it isn’t necessary to purchase an eco-friendly one but your ancient dishwasher could be costing you a lot of money in terms of electricity and water. It's time to replace it with a new Energy Star-qualified dishwasher, which will save you over $30 in annual energy costs and about 500 gallons of water. They reduce greenhouse gas emissions, water consumption, and the use of resources. Energy Star appliances save up to $2,000 per household and $200 billion in the neighborhood. An eco-friendly dishwasher is also more convenient as usually their holding capacity is above average and they take less time to finish. So you’ll be washing more dishes in less time. 

The most cost-effective thing about this is that in the afternoon, you can install a dishwasher by yourself. There's no need for a plumber or an electrician, and you won't have to worry about blowing your retirement funds on a load of clean dishes.

  1. Interior shutters 

Costs $150-$400

Sunlight flowing in through the windows might be annoying. Not to mention the neighbors who can peer into your brightly lighted living room throughout the evening hours. To keep inquisitive eyes at bay, you could install shades, but wood shutters are far more attractive. The slats can be partially open or tilted throughout the day to block direct sunlight without sacrificing natural light, then closed completely in the night for privacy. A middle privacy bar can also be added, allowing the top to be open while the bottom is closed, or vice versa, for even more versatility.

Interior shutters were the first "window decorations," and they're still a terrific way to add architectural and historical charm to both Southern and urban homes. They also help keep out the bitter winds of winter and the scorching heat of summer. Mosquitoes and flies irritate us all, but who wants to live in a house where the windows are closed all summer? Shutters are the ideal solution. They attach to a tiny frame that lies inside the window opening or around the outside of the casing, making them simple to install on any window.

  1. Re-paint the rooms

Cost $150

Simply slapping a paint can and on your dreary, washed-out walls (or washing away your decorative sins with virgin white), you can give them a flash of stunning richness. A coat of paint has the potential to reconfigure your world. As a result, painting is the most common DIY home renovation project.

Your walls will also have a new layer of moisture protection with a fresh coat of paint. Moisture can cause mold and mildew to grow, as well as more serious damage to your walls. A fresh layer of paint on your walls can assist to seal out moisture, minimizing the extra weight that can put a strain on the structural integrity of your home. Furthermore, high-quality paint can repel dirt, dust, and allergens, making it easier to keep your home clean.

While you don't have to be a pro to learn how to paint like one, a decent paint job requires more than merely slathering color on the wall. From the first scratch of the pole sander to the final feather of the brush, it is best to research color ideas and how to paint your walls properly. 

  1. Install a water filter

Cost up to $250

Worries about the quality or flavor of their tap water have caused millions of homes have converted to bottled water. Whether the water comes from a municipal pipeline or a ground well, such issues exist across most countries. Installing an under-sink water filtration system, on the other hand, is a simpler and less expensive option to obtain clean drinking water.

  1. Corn floor insulation 

Costs $6 to $8 per square foot

Getting up in the morning is difficult enough without having to deal with the shock of a cold floor. What you need is a little cushion as you go around the house.  This is where cork comes in handy. A natural cork floor may transform any cold area into a comfortable refuge by being resilient but sturdy, elegant yet rustic.

Cork flooring is also easier to put down than regular wood flooring. Engineered panels that snap together without glue or nails are now available from manufacturers. Over plywood, concrete, or even existing flooring, these floating-floor systems work effectively. In one day, you can transform a floor into a cozy mat where your toes can wiggle around freely without worry of catching a chill—or you can spend the afternoon doing something else entirely.

  1. Install a programmable thermostat 

Cost $475

It's simple to go digital with a thermostat model that changes the inside temperature setting automatically. It can save you roughly $180 per year on heating and cooling. Simple models that merely control heat cost roughly $25 at home centers. However, more complex systems may do a variety of additional tasks, including cooling and humidification. They're usually purchased and installed by HVAC contractors, but you may save money by purchasing one online and installing it yourself in no time.

With a programmable thermostat, you can change the temperature to the exact point of your personal comfort. You can save up to 2% on your power bill for every degree you raise or lower the temperature in your home during the heat of summer or the cold of winter. While you're out of the house, you don't have to keep your air conditioning or heat on high. You may set up a plan that matches your family's routine and keeps the temperature cool or warm while you're at home while reducing energy use when you're not.

  1. Protect walls using a backsplash 

Cost $25 per square foot

If you're having trouble installing a typical tile backsplash, a solid surface backsplash created from a single sheet of material can be your saving grace. Shaping, cutting, and gluing this affordable stock material—available in a number of colors and designs—is a weekend job most beginners can tackle with confidence. Once you've installed your sleek backsplash, you'll wonder why you ever considered tile in the first place because it's such a fashionable defender against splashes and splatters.