Home Upgrades You Can Make on a Budget

If you're staying home to oversee online learning or to work remotely, your mood may be sagging from looking at the same, tired surroundings day after day. But maybe right now is not the time for a big home renovation or for buying a whole houseful of furniture. Still, no need to fret. Who said bigger is always better? There are some pretty cool projects you can do on a budget that will enliven your mood while giving your home the upgrade you've been longing for.

Who knows? Some of these little upgrades are bound to catch a potential buyer's eye if your home's listed among South Bend homes for sale.  Our real estate agents have plenty of tips to get you started. 

Let's start outside and work our way indoors.

1. Copper mailbox.
   There's just something about copper. Warm and rich in hue, copper manages to be classy and understated at the same time. You're certainly welcome to go online and find the real deal, but if you're watching your bank balance these days, then go for a can of copper-colored Rustoleum (under $5) and spray paint your box. Then spiff up the post with a coat or two of shiny black. Follow up with some fall flowers planted around it to boost your curb appeal.
   
   
2. Rewire a vintage entry lantern.
   Send a welcoming message from your front porch with soft, ambient lighting from a vintage entry lantern. These lanterns have a handcrafted look about them, and were popular in the first half of the 20th century. They can be found at second-hand stores and garage sales. Once you find your prize lantern, you may need to do a little restoration along with some rewiring. The good news is, it's not hard. 
   
   
3. Propagate and divide to get some free plants.
   Once upon a time, gardening was all about growing your own plants from seed, cuttings, or dividing the roots to make plants hardier. You can have an abundance of plants for free by growing your own. Once you've increased your stock of plants, look for folks to share with through your neighborhood NextDoor hub. If you're a gardening novice, you can find tons of instruction online or in books from your second-hand store. A few of the tried and true online gardening information sites: Rodale's Organic Gardening, Martha Stewart, Better Homes and Gardens, Gardener's Supply Company, and the Old Farmer's Almanac. 
   
   
4. Do something new with the kitchen cabinets.
   Ready for a new look with the kitchen cabinets? Something more than just a new coat of paint? Adding some pine trim and molding is one inexpensive and relatively easy way to update your cabinets. Here are some simple instructions to follow. Or, you could be daring and replace the doors with wire mesh netting from your home store.
   
   
5. Cover windows with cornstarch and lace.
   It's a great — and inexpensive — way to get some privacy while letting the light in. This site tells you how to do it.
   
   
6. Install a water filter.
   Gazing at your water filter may not give you as much of a charge as staring at a newly painted front door, but it should. If you're one of those homeowners who avoids tap water out of health concerns and makes a habit of buying bottled water, then stop wasting money and install a water filter. Just think of all those plastic bottles that won't end up in the ocean.

Need more tips for inexpensive upgrades? Contact us today.