Have you ever wondered how top experts elevate their homes without breaking the bank? In this article, we share their most budget-friendly home improvement tips. Discover why stripping paint off wood paneling is a game-changer and how peel-and-stick backsplash tiles can transform a space. With a total of seven insights, this article promises to inspire and help guide your next home project.
Stripped Paint Off Wood Paneling
I live in a mid-century modern ranch home that had a beautiful solid wood panel wall that the previous owners painted over. My husband and I stripped the paint off the wood to save the original paneling and it made a huge difference in our living room (for a couple hundred dollars and a lot of elbow grease). As an interior designer who specializes in historic homes, anything you can do that preserves the original features of your home will not only save money but also infuse so much character and uniqueness into your space.Â
See more before/after photos here.
Courtney Batten, Principal Interior Designer, Paige Studio
Created Layered Mulch Bed
One of the best budget-friendly upgrades I made to my home garden was creating a layered mulch bed around key plants to enhance both their visual impact and soil health. I used a mix of organic materials like straw, bark chips, and compost to build up layers around my more prominent trees and shrubs. This approach not only created a beautiful, textured base around each plant, but also conserved moisture, suppressed weeds, and slowly enriched the soil as the mulch broke down. The entire project cost under $50, as I repurposed trimmings and organic waste from previous jobs and topped it off with locally sourced mulch, which was quite affordable.Â
My background in horticulture really made the difference here because I knew exactly which materials would improve the soil without causing nutrient imbalances, and I timed the mulching to coincide with seasonal growth spurts to give each plant the maximum benefit. The layering technique, which comes from years of studying plant ecosystems and soil management, created a low-maintenance, nutrient-rich base that meant I didn’t have to fertilize as frequently. Now, these areas look lush and well-maintained with minimal upkeep, proving that small investments, when done with intention and expertise, can have a big impact on the look and health of your garden.
Andrew Osborne, Owner, Ozzie Mowing & Gardening
Repurposed Wooden Shutters
We had an old pair of wooden shutters sitting in the shed for years, and I decided to repurpose them as sliding doors for my home office. After a quick cleaning, I painted them with some leftover paint to freshen them up and installed an affordable sliding track system I found for about $25.
Now, they serve as charming office doors that add character and a vintage vibe to the space. The best part? It cost next to nothing since I already had the shutters. It’s a great reminder that sometimes the perfect upgrade is hiding right in your own backyard—or in this case, the shed!
Luke Schwartz, Brand President, Bumble Bee Blinds
Transformed Outdoor Space with Tree Pruning
One of the best budget-friendly updates to my home was transforming our outdoor space with strategic tree pruning and landscaping. I focused on opening up the canopy of the larger trees in our backyard, thinning out branches to let more natural light filter through, and removing any dead or overcrowded growth.
Not only did this make the space feel brighter and more welcoming, but it also encouraged healthier growth for the trees and surrounding plants, adding to the overall beauty and functionality of the yard. The entire process took just a weekend and cost less, primarily for high-quality pruning tools and mulch to refresh the garden beds.
My experience as a certified arborist and the years spent learning about tree health and aesthetics helped guide this project. I knew how much to prune without compromising the trees’ health and could identify which branches were best to cut for optimal light and airflow. This relatively simple, budget-friendly project (can cost between $85-450) has given our outdoor area a fresh, open look that feels almost like an extension of our living space. It’s a great example of how a little expertise can go a long way in making affordable, impactful improvements to your home.
Amaury Ponce, Business Owner, Ponce Tree Services
Swapped Out Old Cabinet Knobs
“One simple and budget-friendly home improvement I made was swapping out old cabinet knobs for new ones,” says Bradley Fry, Owner of PinProPlus. Having an eye for design is part of his everyday business, and he recommends updating knobs – whether in the kitchen, bathroom, furniture, or doors.
“It cost me about $30, but it completely transformed the kitchen, giving it a fresh and modern look. Small updates like this are a great way to improve a space without spending much. Plus, it was an easy DIY project that made a big difference.”
Invested in Thermal Curtains
Upgrading your curtains is one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to improve your home’s comfort and energy efficiency. Specifically, using 3-pass blackout curtains (blackout lined) can work wonders for temperature control throughout the year. These curtains are excellent at keeping heat in during the winter and blocking out excess heat during the summer.
For instance, Direct Fabrics blackout fabrics have been tested for thermal efficiency and can reduce heating requirements by up to 30% when paired with double-glazed windows. This results in a more comfortable home and significant savings on energy bills over time.
When I made this change, I noticed a substantial difference in how well my home retained heat in winter—my energy bills dropped within the first month! As for cost, quality thermal curtains typically range from $150 per window, depending on the size and material. While the upfront investment might feel a bit steep, the long-term savings and improved comfort make it well worth it.
Edward Simon, Director, Direct Fabrics
Try Peel-And-Stick Backsplash Tiles
While kitchen upgrades can sometimes get expensive, alternatives like peel-and-stick backsplash tiles are a simple and cheap way to improve any kitchen. Khurram Mir, Founder and CMO of Kualitatem Inc., spent only $50 on materials. Depending on where you shop (Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, Wayfair, etc.), it can completely transform your place into something modern and neat.
“The tiles were so easy to install, and they also improved the kitchen in terms of purpose because they provided wall protection and made cleaning easier,” adds Mir. There are a ton of options on the market. Whether you’re looking for something permanent or rental-friendly, you’ll find many options to fit any space and style.
If you’re looking for more ideas, check out an oldie but a goodie: “5 Budget Friendly Tips to Transform Your Apartment.”