I don’t know about you, but I have been in full organization and home improvement mode lately, especially now that I’m spending more time indoors with the cooler weather setting in. Over the next few months, it’s just me, my family and my home, so I’ve been finding ways to make our house feel more organized, less chaotic, and a little more “us”. I wanted to share with you budget-friendly home improvements that can help refresh your space without breaking the bank - perfect for anyone wanting to make your home feel intentionally refreshed this season!
You don’t need a full renovation or spend thousands of dollars to make your home feel fresh, organized, functional and overall inviting. In fact, small updates can truly have the biggest impacts! With holidays around the corner, budgets can feel a little tighter, but that doesn’t mean your home improvements have to be put on pause. You can most definitely do small upgrades to your home one room at a time! From a new coat of paint, to swapping out hardware or layering in cozy textures, there are plenty of affordable home updates that can really transform your space for the season ahead!
Fresh Coat of Paint
I am sure you have heard this time and time again, but honestly a fresh new coat of paint truly goes a long way. When it comes to low-cost home improvements, nothing makes a better impact than choosing a different paint colour. Whether you choose a soft neutral for a timeless look or a bold colour to add that bit of drama and personality, paint is the easiest way to refresh your home without overspending. Here are my top 3 paint choices I always tend to use in my designs:
Fireplace colour: Antique Pewter
Remember, you don’t always have to use the paint you choose at its full strength. You can always ask them to mix your paint lighter at 75% or even 50% to get the colour you are looking for!
The next paint colour I am dying to use is Benjamin Moore’s Colour of The Year, Silhouette AF-655.
Bring in Character with Wallpaper
Bringing in wallpaper is the perfect and affordable way to add character and texture into your space. It instantly just changes the overall feel of the space with just one purchase. There are so many affordable wallpaper options available like, peel and stick wallpaper. Subtle textures to bold prints, wallpaper can really transform any space and peel and stick wallpaper makes it easy for you to install yourself!
Peel and stick wallpaper
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Best for rentals
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Easy to install
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Removable and damage free
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Affordable design upgrade
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Versatile for any space (line back of bookshelves, locker wall, furniture drawers, mat a picture frame, on ceiling, etc)
My favourite Canadian made and family owned wallpaper company is, West Coast Walls,
Wallpaper is just so fun and you really can be creative and think outside the box when designing a powder room! Here is how we created a fun look for our powder room in the showroom!
Swapping out Fixtures
Yes I know, fixtures can be on the pricier side, but are definitely more affordable than a full renovation. See what you have in your space right now - what can you easily swap out? Lighting tends to be the easiest fixture update. Swap out that modern black wall sconce lighting for maybe a more traditional gold one. This will immediately start changing the overall vibe of your space. You can swap out any plumbing fixtures as well. Maybe try upgrading your kitchen sink faucet with a new modern style faucet over a traditional faucet, changing your chrome shower trim for a bold look using a black finish!
If you are needing any help choosing finishes or finding the right plumbing fixtures, wall sconces, pendant lighting and more, we have a great design team available at The Plumber’s Wife to help achieve your design goals!
New Hardware Changes
Hardware is another super easy, cost efficient thing that you can do to enhance your space. For instance, Ikea furniture dressers…cost effective as it is, but maybe try to change the vibe of it by switching out the black knobs for maybe a brass gold pull instead. Or changing your hardware on your kitchen cabinets which can really refresh your kitchen immediately! If you already have pulls and they’re just a modern black, you could opt for a traditional gold pull instead. If you think about how much hardware you have in your house you would be surprised at how much your space would change just by swapping out old hardware!
Layered Lighting
I love love love layered lighting - especially in the evening on a cold winter day. Nothing screams cozy than a table, floor lamp or wall sconce lighting that fills the room. Don’t get me wrong, you still need inbuilt lighting such as pot lights since it is part of the layering process. Here are some types of lights that you can include in your space:
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Pot lights
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Wall sconces
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Table and floor lamps
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Pendant lighting
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LED strips
Pot lights are greater in larger areas of the home such as an open floor plan kitchen-living room area, as long as you add in other additional lighting such as wall sconces, pendant lighting, table or floor lamps to really elevate your space. For powder rooms, only opt for vanity lighting. It is super unnecessary to put pot lights in your powder room as the space is typically small and can really throw off the space, not to mention increase in cost. For design purposes, adding a table lamp on a sideboard layered with frames, books, florals and decorative accents can truly be eye-catching. The mix of light and texture creates warmth and visual interest, turning a simple surface into a beautiful inviting focal point for your space.
Wall Molding
I bet almost all of you have a blank wall that you really don’t know what to do with, it could be a small entryway or a large dining room. The easiest way to spruce up your space is with wall molding - and yes, it is back and here to stay! Accent walls are out and molding is in. Molding is a great way to create depth, texture and architectural interest without a full renovation. It instantly elevates your home, giving any room a more custom, high-end feel, even on a budget!
Decor Swaps
Sometimes, all your home needs is a quick decor refresh to feel brand new again. Simple decor swaps like changing out your bedding, throw pillows, or blankets can help completely transform the look and feel of your room without a major investment. Focus on tone, texture, and layering to create a cohesive look that reflects the season or mood you want to achieve. These subtle changes bring warmth and depth, allowing your home to evolve effortlessly over time. Even curated accessories like coffee books, art or cases can shift the overall aesthetic making your space feel intentionally style and refreshed! This is where you can add pops of colour in your home to go off of more neutral paint or furniture to really show off your personality and style.
Declutter and Organize
A well-designed home starts with a well-edited space. Before adding anything new, take time to declutter and organize your home. Removing visual clutter instantly allows your design elements to shine and creates a more intentional, elevated feel throughout your home. Streamlining open shelving, editing accessories and introducing stylish storage solutions not only enhances function but also contributes to the overall aesthetic. Think woven baskets, decorative boxes to hide remotes in, or built-ins that blend seamlessly into your design. When your home feels organized, it looks more spacious, balanced and thoughtfully curated. Home improvements begin with a thoughtful foundation of a home that is decluttered and well organized.
At the end of the day, home improvements don't have to be expensive or big to make a difference. Even the smallest updates such as adding in a new table lamp, changing out a picture frame, adding ambiance lighting, or a fresh coat of paint can really bring your home to life!
- The Plumber's Wife