Undertaking a home improvement project can be quite expensive. There are many costs associated with making adjustments to your home space, even if those changes consist of nothing more than new interior decor. That comes at a price, too.
If one of your New Year Resolutions is to make improvements to your home, so it’ll be more the kind of place where you feel rested and relaxed, you probably could use some tips on how to go about the project without breaking the bank.
1. Do it yourself
If you’re planning a simple home improvement project such as replacing your old carpeting with wood floors, consider doing it yourself. It’s not difficult to learn how to lay wood flooring. In fact, many home improvement stores offer classes for homeowners who wish to learn this art.
Once you know what you’re doing, you can easily take on a few other home improvement projects on your own. This saves you the cost of labor and contractors, which is a significant expense associated with home improvements.
2. Skip the interior designer
You don’t need an interior designer to help you choose how to decorate your home so it’s everything you want. You can do this yourself by making use of several excellent resources — namely, the Internet and design magazines.
Sometimes all it takes is a single pattern or furnishing to make you fall in love, and you can build a room around that.
3. Shop consignment
You don’t have to head to high-end department stores and boutiques to redecorate your home. It’s easy to create a luxurious look for less when you browse the decor offerings at inexpensive retail outlets such as TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Home Goods, Pier I Imports, or even Target.
You’re likely to find a few designer pieces in these locations that go for far more in boutiques and department stores than they do in these lesser-priced shops. For example, you can find high-end Cynthia Rowley home decor items at TJ Maxx for less than 75 percent of the price you’d pay for the same items at upscale department stores.
Redecorating and remodeling on a budget is not a difficult task if you know what to do and where to look. You can save significantly on large professional fees by doing things yourself.
You can also save on decor by knowing when and where to shop. It makes a big difference, and allows you to recreate a home you like into the home you love.