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6 Tips For Renovating On a Small Budget

February 21, 2021

Renovating a home on a small budget doesn’t have to be difficult or time consuming. If you don’t mind doing some DIY and shopping around, you can make your home look more expensive than it really is, without breaking the bank.

Here are our six top tips for giving your home the wow factor with a small budget. 

1. Start with the cheap fixes

woman painting - renovating on a budget

There are lots of cheap fixes you can make within a home without handing over wads of your hard earned cash. But always look for ways you can get the most bang for your buck. Here are four budget-friendly ideas:

  • Repaint a room with a fresh coat of paint in a modern colour. This is a low cost way to deliver maximum impact to a room or rooms.
  • Timber flooring looks great but costs a bomb to have sanded and varnished, so look at cheaper options such as durable floor paint to give floors a revamp.
  • Swap out old or outdated light fixtures for modern lighting to give rooms a lift. Places like Bunnings and IKEA have lots of affordable options.
  • Replace cheap looking thin skirtings and architraves with wider profile versions.

2. Focus on the kitchen and bathroom

bathroom - renovating on a budget

Concentrate on adding value to rooms such as the kitchen and bathroom as these are rooms that will give you financial rewards come sale day. You can make lots of positive tweaks and changes to a kitchen and bathroom, even on a tight budget. These include replacing handles on cabinets, repairing tiles, swapping out taps  and adding a splashback, drawer organisers and extra storage shelves.

If your kitchen or bathroom has ugly laminated cupboards it can make the space look dingy and outdated. Spruce them up with laminate paint (such as White Knight Laminate Paint from Bunnings) by simply applying undercoat and painting right over the top of them.

Another tip is to swap out old fixtures and fittings with replacements that look high end but don’t cost the earth. For example, a bathtub that costs $300 rather than one that costs $3,000; or locally sourced classic white subway tiles rather than imported hand painted designer tiles.

Plumbing professionals can install and repair fixtures and fittings with replacements. They can replace sinks, sink faucets, shower heads, and bathtubs. 

Hire fully licensed, experienced, insured, and certified plumbing experts. That way, you have peace of mind that a professional will properly install your new fixtures to maximise efficiency and performance.

Further Reading: Guide to Kitchen Renovation Costs in 2023

3. Shop around for bargains

Online auctions and stores are your friends when it comes to doing up a house on a budget. While it may take a bit more time to source what you need, you could save hundreds of dollars on fixtures and fittings by buying discontinued goods or second hand materials.

4. Include smart home features

If you’re renovating to sell, then including smart home features can make your home more appealing to a buyer. At $79.99 IKEA’s smart lighting system doesn’t cost an arm and a leg and, despite simple features, you can still play with different lighting moods, modify brightness and set schedules.

5. Add an outdoor entertaining area

entertaining area - renovating on a budget

A space for outdoor entertaining is high on the wish list of many buyers and this can often make or break the sale of a house. If you already have a patio this can easily be converted into an outdoor area with affordable furniture, lighting and space for a BBQ. If you don’t have a patio then consider adding a deck off the lounge for indoor outdoor flow. This doesn’t have to be an expensive exercise or need council approval if it’s small enough.

6. Use DIY where possible

renovating on a budget - couple renovating

If you’re handy with a paint brush or able to execute a simple tiling job, then do these jobs yourself to save money. Always use professionals for electrical, plumbing and structural work, get at least three quotes and check recommendations. Doing your homework can mean paying a lot less for tradie labour.

There are many more ways to save on spending by committing to home projects. Asking family and friends to help out with gardening work like weeding, painting fences and planting trees also works. They shouldn’t mind too much, especially if you shout them pizza and have cold drinks on standby!

And while you’re at it, don’t be afraid to look into sustainable options when you renovate or even shop! Not only are you doing your bit for our planet, but cutting costs in the long-term.

One last thing…

Have you downloaded our app? It can get you into your dream home quicker using optimised browsing and contact features. And you can use Soho to browse properties in Sydney, homes in Melbourne or other cities throughout Australia.

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