Guest post by, Indiana Lee

It’s understandable for homeowners to want their homes to feel like their own. However, not everyone can afford to buy a new build or major renovations to upgrade their home to suit their style.

If this is something you are struggling with, there is no reason why you can’t give your pre-owned house a makeover and turn it into the home of your dreams. Even if you are on a tight budget, we’ve got some tips on how you can infuse your personality into your home to give it a much-needed facelift.

1. Try a Modern, Functional Style

If your home is old and outdated, you don’t necessarily need to renovate the structure of the house to make it feel new. You can easily breathe new life into your home by focusing on interior design elements that are more modern and functional.

• One way to do this is by repainting the interior white. Old homes can sometimes feel drafty and dark, but a fresh coat of white paint can really help brighten things up. Brighter, lighter colors in the design and decor can also help make things feel more modern, such as repainting the kitchen cabinets white as well, so everything feels sleeker and chicer.

• Storage can also sometimes be an issue in older homes, but this can easily be remedied by installing some shelving or drawer units, which don’t cost that much. For example, the space under the stairs is often underutilized and makes for a great spot for built-in storage. You can also buy furniture that doubles as storage, like coffee tables or couches that open up and allow you to store things inside.

2. Focus on a Cohesive Design Style and Color Palette

You don’t necessarily have to go modern to update your pre-owned home if that’s not your style. You can pick any style you like, just try to make it cohesive throughout your home as this can help really set the mood for your home and make it feel fresh and new again.

• Start by choosing a style and color palette and work your way through each room, adding in those new elements. For example, the color and style of your couch and pillows in your living room can carry over into some fresh new wallpaper in your dining room. And the colors in your dining room can be reflected in the color you paint your hallway or your kitchen cabinets.

• Artwork hung around the home can also help tie everything together and make it feel like a cohesive design.

3. Try Upgrading Just One Major Focal Point

Instead of renovating an entire room, you can focus on upgrading a focal point in the room to make your old home feel new. In the living room, for example, you can upgrade the fireplace and or the space around it to draw focus and change the style of the room.

• You can do this by repainting the fireplace, covering it with new material, or even installing built-ins on the wall around the fireplace to really make it a statement wall.

• In the kitchen, painting the cabinets a bold color and updating the hardware is a great way to instantly transform the space.

• For bedrooms, try going with a unique bedframe and headboard as well as some colorful decorative pillows to make a statement. If the bed is in front of a window, you can also use bold curtains as a focal point to enhance the design.

4. Update the Lighting

Another high-impact, low-cost upgrade can be achieved by switching out the lighting. Lighting really does set the mood for a space and can give a room a completely new feel.

• Try replacing old fixtures with new, interesting pendants or sconces.

• Go for drama with a cool new chandelier.

• Soften the room with more ambient lighting as opposed to bright, overhead fixtures.

5. Try Peel-and-Stick Tiles and Wallpaper

Peel-and-stick design elements are becoming quite popular, not just among renters but homeowners as well. Peel-and-stick options are typically more affordable, and they allow you to change things up more easily if you end up wanting something different down the road.

• In the kitchen or bathroom, new peel-and-stick tiles can instantly transform the feel of the space. These are also great choices if you want to give your home a temporary facelift while you save up for bigger renovations later.

• Peel-and-stick wallpaper can also be used just about anywhere to make a statement, such as hallways, dining rooms, bedrooms, bathrooms, and living rooms. You can also use wallpaper on one wall only in a room to add a pop of fun design and color without breaking the bank to cover the entire room.

6. Consider Some Eco-Friendly Upgrades

Making your home eco-friendlier is another great way to modernize it and make it feel fresh and new — and not all sustainable upgrades have to cost a fortune. Some ways to do so without draining your bank account include:

• Switching out old light bulbs for LEDs.

• Installing a smart thermostat.

• Changing out old appliances for Energy Star appliances.

• Using blackout curtains to keep the sun and heat out during warmer months.

• Upgrading your windows one room at a time.

If you do, however, want to invest in more eco-friendly home changes, as this can end up saving you more money on your home in the long run, you can look into things like an FHA loan, a home equity loan, or cash-out refinancing.

7. Reverse Old Features

If you purchased an old home, it is also possible that the previous owner made some upgrades that you are less than thrilled about keeping. For example, it’s not uncommon for homeowners to end up with homes that previously underwent aging-in-place upgrades for seniors, like ramps, grab bars, and wider spaces for mobility aids.

While these features might not suit your taste, there are ways to reverse aging-in-place elements or change them without spending too much money.

• For ramps consider painting the ramp to freshen it up or hide it with landscape features, like plants, flowers, and trees.

• Aging adults will sometimes install flooring that helps prevent them from slipping and falling. You can install new, yet affordable laminate flooring over top or you can buy some large area rugs until you can save up for a more significant flooring upgrade.

• Consider camouflaging grab bars and handrails by adding design elements and artwork around them. If you do want to remove them, but you can’t afford to fix the holes left in the wall, you can cover the area with artwork or even use peel-and-stick wallpaper.

Conclusion

There are so many ways you can update an old, previously owned home to make it your own. It just takes a little creativity and innovation. Sometimes, all a space needs is a new coat of paint and some fresh new decor to feel new and exciting again.

And don’t be afraid to think outside of the box if you have a tight budget. In many cases, some of the most amazing transformations came from those who had to get creative with limited resources.

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I write about small space design and decorating, sustainable furniture options, positive self care and a variety of do-it-yourself home décor.

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The opinions and views expressed in any guest blog post do not necessarily reflect those of Michael Helwig Interiors or its Principal, Michael Helwig. Michael Helwig Interiors, and Michael Helwig, do not have any affiliations with any products or services mentioned in the article or linked to therein. Guest Authors may have affiliations to products mentioned or linked to in their articles or bios.

Indiana Lee is a passionate writer and avid puzzle enthusiast hailing from the serene landscapes of the Pacific Northwest. With a deep appreciation for aesthetics and a strong preference for designs that seamlessly blend comfort and functionality, she brings a unique perspective to the world of interior decor. Connect with her on LinkedIn.