Home updates that won't break the bank!

I am notorious for wanting to change everything! (ALL the time!) There is just something about freshening up a space that makes me SO happy but........ sometimes these grand ideas I conjure up in my head are too expensive. So what do we do? Well, allow me to tell you!!!

I love lists and lately, I've been writing lists of small things I can do around the house to amp it up. Ya know, next level ish. So, here is my first list of 5 budget friendly updates for your home. (I have more lists to share in the near future)

1. Replace builder grade lighting. 

I was sitting on the sofa a few months ago and I noticed our front entrance light fixture. I knew it was there (obviously) and knew what it looked like but I never really processed just how ugly it truly was... especially as entrance lighting. So, I made sure Brian was down (because he would be the one to install it ;) and went on a search to find something under $100, a mix between silver and gold AND no glass case (because I did NOT want to clean/dust the glass on the fixture once a month) Here is a link to the one I found from Joss and Main and it hit each of my 3 non-negotiables.
Thorne 2-Light Metal Flush Mount in White Gold. It was on sale for $98 when I purchased. 

Brian picked up these light bulbs from Lowes which I LOVE!!!!
GE Vintage 60-Watt EQ Amber Dimmable Light Bulb 

New fixture close up w/bulbs:

     

Before: Blah!

After: YES! 

2. Paint! 

I hid from this idea for YEARS until I just dove right in this summer. Rather than get all wordy, pictures do the best explaining for this one. 

Kitchen Before/After:

     

Basement Stairs Before/After: 

       

Need I say more? Nope.

Paint ranges in price but it's obviously cheaper than renovations, new furniture or replacing items (cabinets, etc) altogether. 

3. Replace Hardware.

Swapping out cabinet knobs and door knobs/handles makes a HUGE difference. 

Okay, this is wild right here. This first picture (below) was taken a few months after moving in. I know... the kitchen looks horrific BUT I want you to pay close attention to the hardware on the cabinets. YES! Those are SILVER knobs. SIL-VER. I don't know why and I don't know how but that's what we inherited. So, I replaced them with black knobs and replaced the pantry door with a black handle. The POP with the black hardware makes SUCH a difference. (also, how in the heck did I live with this dark paint for 5 years? I'll never understand it!) 

Hardware from Amazon:

Door Handle

Cabinet Knobs 

*I sold every silver knob (using Facebook Marketplace) for $25 and ended up only paying $5 for my new knobs. Yep. I know. Amazing!

 

I'm also famous for changing knobs on dressers, coffee tables, vanities, end tables and dining room servers. (I replaced all of the knobs on my furniture!) You can go to Hobby Lobby and find millions of knobs and pulls to replace the generic ones. 

4. Crown Moulding 

This is yet to come... the plan is for sometime before spring. But it adds SUCH character to a space. I am planning on using the same moulding my parents used in their home. Here are a few pictures. 

 

Crown really completes a room. I physically can't WAIT. I am going to see how much the materials cost. Labor is soooo competitive since we are using the same guys that did our basement but the downstairs rooms are my main target priority right now. 

5. Spruce up front porch
The first thing someone sees when they visit your home is the front entrance. Some simple things you can do to spruce up your home are:

-paint the front door
-add a simple plaque with your street address to your siding
-add some faux boxwood topiaries
-use seasonal florals/items
-hang an American flag (or whatever flag you'd like)

If you zoom in, you can see the metal plaque under the first window on the right which has our street address. I think it's such a nice touch! Brian hung the American flag this year and I simply love it. I LOVE the USA (and I also love red, white and blue).

 








This year's Fall porch was my favorite. Ever. I didn't buy one regular pumpkin... only "fantasy" pumpkins and "ugly" pumpkins which were absolutely gorgeous. Never going back!!!









I am planning on buying a tall faux boxwood topiary from the At Home Store to put next to the door. I LOVE how that looks! This isn't the exact one I saw. It was $60 and MUCH taller. As soon as the weather gets more mild, I am pulling the trigger.

Thanks for stopping by!

Cyndi