Inexpensive Ways to Improve a Room

It's nice to own a home in these tough economic times when there are so many foreclosures, but, let's face it, it gets difficult looking at the same room for five, ten, fifteen years in a row. But who really has the money for big home improvements nowadays? Instead, here are some inexpensive ways to add a little freshness to an old look.

Paint:

A gallon of paint only costs about $20 depending where you buy it and you would be surprised at how much a simple paint job can spruce up a room. The new color will look sharp and crisp and it will lend a different atmosphere to the room. Always had a light room? Try something a little darker. Dark room? Go more neutral. You'll be surprised at how much difference it makes.

Lighting:

This is also something that could drastically change a room, especially if there is somewhat inadequate lighting to begin with. This doesn't have to be a huge project. A simple lamp or two will suffice and they make great accessories to create a unified room. You can spend as much or as little as you'd like on lamps and lampshades, but even one on the end table on either edge of the couch, for example, can improve lighting and add a new look, or even just a single floor lamp in the corner.

Another aspect of lighting to look at are the light switches and plug outlets. Depending on the room and your taste, you might consider switching them out for new ones. While white outlets and switches can look clean and pristine in a white room, it can easily get boring, too. If there aren't many to switch out, the cost won't be too great, and there are plenty of designs to suite your taste, such as faux bronze, faux silver/gold, ornate, wood, etc. Most of these range in price from $3 - $5 for each.

Curtains:

With a new coat of paint comes a new set of drapes. Most drapes run around $16 - $18 or the more upscale ones might cost as much as $30. Explore with different styles, patterns, and types. Don't forget to keep the practicality of curtains in mind, too. While valences and see-through curtains may look great, they won't be so good if you want something that will cover the window completely or if you want to use them to keep peepers from looking in.

Refinishing Furniture:

Furniture in the room starting to look a little shabby? Woods are by far the easiest to refinish (though it's always a good idea to make sure they're not an antique first). Simply sand the surface, restain it, and polyurethane it. The cost is only about $10 - $20, depending on how much of each you need.

Refinishing Window Frames:

Not all windows have frames that can be redone, so this may not always apply, but if it does it can really make a difference. If your windows have wood frames and they're starting to look their age, it may be time to sand them down and refinish them. If your windows are inset into the wall, a feature that might spruce up the look is adding a windowsill, if there isn't one already, or a decorative wooden piece underneath the windowsill.