Best DIY renovations to transform your home
Many of us are spending more time at home than ever before. You might work from home a lot more than you ever used to (thanks Covid) or it may just be that you’re like me and spend less time going out and more time chilling with Netflix or The Kardashians on Disney+ (my current obsession).
This is why it’s so important that your home is somewhere you love to be. You need a bedroom you can collapse in at night, or a living room to get cosy on the sofa and watch a gripping drama.
Creating the right environment is key but can sometimes cost a lot of money. Dream of Home is all about budget interiors. I absolutely love a budget makeover and to DIY the things that we can’t afford to have new, like painting my bookshelves.
Why use DIY for home renovations?
The thought of doing some DIY can feel daunting, especially if you don’t know where to start. But the alternative of hiring a professional can be out of your budget.
DIY allows you to cut out labour costs as well as allowing you to change things up when it is most convenient to you. The only costs you will incur are for materials and tools. Investing in high-quality tools, such as Milwaukee power tools, will ensure they last a long time and do a great job.
There are tons of similar DIY projects you can do to save money and that are enjoyable too! Below, you can find some of the best DIY renovations that can be done on a budget.
Kitchen makeover
Kitchen upgrades can be very expensive – my sister just had a quote for £19k for a new kitchen – but by simply painting your cabinets you can make it feel like a whole new room. Looking into renovation myths can help clarify some of the most common misconceptions about DIY kitchen makeovers, so you can make informed decisions and avoid unnecessary expenses.
First, decide your colour scheme. Kitchen colours that are still very popular this year are dark greens and blues. I can see pink kitchens being on the rise too. If you want something more neutral, choose a greige or cream.
Once you know what colour you’re doing, sand down the wood so the paint can properly adhere to the surface. Prime your cabinets and then add the colour.
Finally, remember to seal your cabinets with a varnish. This will protect them from any chips, stains and other forms of wear and tear.
Feature walls
Feature walls are are great way of drawing the eye into a room, as well as adding interest. They can also make a small room feel bigger.
There are many ways to add a feature wall. A popular choice is to add wallpaper to one wall in the room. This can make a striking impression and helps to inject a bit of your personality into your interiors. By doing it yourself, you only have to pay for the wallpaper and the tools to install it – you don’t pay any labour costs.
If wallpapering is a bit beyond your skill set, then a different colour on one wall can be enough to create the same effect.
Front door restoration
Anyone visiting your house gets a first impression from your front door. Plus, it is helpful to create a good curb appeal if you are thinking of selling in the future.
You may opt for a small change, such as installing new handles and door numbers. Or you could change the colour of the door. If you like the wooden look, a new coat of wood stain could be enough to highlight the natural colour.
Upcycling furniture
If you have pieces of furniture that you are unwilling to part with you can always upcycle them. This could be repainting something, changing the fabric or upgrading the hardware.
Look for inspiration on sites such as Pinterest and Houzz. A popular trend at the moment is using wallpaper on the inside of bookshelves. The pattern and colour showing through your belongings looks lovely.
