10 Expert Tips To Give Your House a Makeover On a Budget

By Julia Weaver

Since a lot of us are spending more time at home than ever before it’s easy to grow tired of the interior, no matter how much you used to love it. But whether you’re living in Atlanta or Dallas, or anywhere else, remodeling doesn’t come cheap. So sometimes small, low-budget upgrades are the best choice, and can even make the most impact. Don’t know where to start? We’ve asked experts to share their best budget-friendly tip on how to give your house a makeover on a  budget and make your space feel like new.

Create a space that supports your goals and dreams

During the pandemic, we’ve all spent more time at home and are now beginning to recognize spaces in our home that we otherwise would tolerate or ignore because of how busy we are. Everyone has “that room”, the one that operates as a storage room. Think about creating a home office, your own movie theater, or a wellness room. The possibilities are endless and can be tailored to your needs, wishes, wants, and desires. – Aaron B. Duke

Decorate with photos of your favorite memories

Displaying photos of great moments is always a great way to freshen up space and give your house a makeover on a budget. Try framing photos of a trip or an important event. Minimalist, modern frames can really help make a room feel not just new but also personal. – Frameology

Enhance the beauty of old furniture without overshadowing it

Old furniture can have great bones that are overshadowed by a tired and worn finish. A few inexpensive ways to update dated pieces are to clean them and wipe away years of neglect, swap out the hardware for something a bit more modern, or give them a fresh coat of paint. A little elbow grease goes a long way. – Eight Hundred Furniture

To protect and enhance the beauty of a wooden piece you first must wipe away the years of dust and old polish. Then using a colored wax wipe it into the grain. The colored wax will not show up as much as if you used an aerosol polish. –Furniture Medic by Bespoke Restoration

Add a pop of color

A bit of eye candy in the form of bright colors can freshen and bring vitality to a tired interior. Try a red lampshade for instance. It’s one way to give your house a makeover on a budget that won’t break your color scheme and will build a focal point of interest. – The Reflective Designer

Restore the beauty of your antique pieces

Many people believe that antique furniture must be stripped and refinished, but most antiques just need to be thoroughly cleaned and waxed in order to restore their beauty! -Aimee Talbot, EuroLux Home

Bring back the shine

If you have a metal object that has lost its shine, and normal cleaning methods won’t work, try Amaco Rub N Buff. It’s a bit pricey, but a little goes a long way and can make a huge difference. – Nostalgia Antiques And Collectibles Store

Wood stains and finishes are your best friend

Refinishing or repainting old wooden furniture gives you the option of restoring the piece to its original condition or updating it with a new color or wood stain that better matches your interior decor. Furniture restoration professionals can help give your house a makeover on a budget one furniture piece at a time by safely removing the current paint, stain, or finish from your furniture and they adding a wood stain or paint color. – RestorationMaster

Updating old wood furniture usually requires stripping off the old finish, sanding the surface in preparation for the new finish, and then of course applying the new finish that gives an updated look. Traditional finishes are applied in multiple layers, each layer requiring time to partially cure and then sanding before the next layer. Thankfully, updating your old wood furniture and giving your house a makeover on a budget can be done easily thanks to wood finishes that allow you to add color and finish in one simple application. – Rubio Monocoat

You’d be surprised at how dramatically you can rehabilitate that old wooden piece with some wood stain. Always sand your piece before you stain, so you can remove blemishes and scratches first – otherwise, the stain can emphasize those flaws. You can also use stainable wood filler in any chips, sand your surface smooth, and apply stain afterward. For an even easier, no-risk way to revitalize and preserve wood surfaces, lightly apply Old English Scratch Cover oil with a rag. With these simple steps, you can get your furniture to fit seamlessly into your décor, rejuvenate an old piece, or simply update your aesthetic. – The Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Oakland