When it comes to renovating a house, the sky’s the limit – but unfortunately the costs can be too!
According to new data from Dynata, younger Australians are now much more likely to spend their money on home improvements! With 42% of Gen Zs and 41% of Millennials saying the pandemic has inspired them to spend more on home improvements or furnishing.
As we see more and more younger Australians enter the housing market, many are choosing to buying fixer-uppers, to make home ownership more achievable amid a tough housing market.
The costs associated with home improvement can quickly get out of hand! So, if the bones of your house are good, make the most of your place with these budget friendly ideas to give your home a facelift.
1. A new paint job
Of all the home renovation jobs you can do; painting is the best value for money. You can transform a room in a just few hours with a tin of paint, a brush, and a roller.
Balancing on a kitchen chair with a 10-litre tin of paint in one hand and the brush in the other can very dangerous, so it is crucial to take the time to set up properly. Some decent ladders and trestles or scaffolding will make the job safer, easier and more enjoyable.
Good preparation is also key to a good paint job. Use a steamer to remove any wallpaper or adhesives, fill in any cracks or holes in the plaster before sanding and be sure to scrape off any loose paint from exposed woodwork (a sander may be useful to make this easier).
Utilising an airless spray, or a HLVP spray will make the job even easier!
Bonus budget hack: Paint is much cheaper when it is bought in bulk, so pick a colour you can use throughout multiple areas of the house.
2. Brighten up internal doors and kitchen cabinets
Often overlooked, there are two other areas beyond the walls where a quick paint job can make a miraculous difference and that is any internal doors and kitchen cabinets. Chipped, scratched, and dull interior doors or cabinets can detract from the overall appearance of your house. Transform them to look like new with a coat of bright gloss paint or spray the cabinets with a HLVPs.
Finish the job with new handles for a very quick, affordable, and effective makeover.
3. Replace your lighting
Replacing outdated light fixtures can have an instant impact on the look of your home. (However, if the fittings are hard wired, it is best to leave this to your electrician!)
Energy-efficient lightbulbs use about 25%-80% less energy than traditional incandescent lights, saving you money in the long run. Pair this update with one or two statement light pieces such as an upcycled lampshade to give your home a pop of colour and style.
4. Update your flooring
Shabby carpets, torn vinyl, or dull timber floors instantly make your home feel dated. These days there are many options when it comes to floating floor that you can install yourself, including timber, vinyl, cork or bamboo.
New carpet will set you back a couple of thousand dollars, but it could be that an ugly old carpet is hiding beautiful old floorboards. If you discover Baltic pine or Tasmanian oak floorboards when you rip up the carpet, you’ve hit the jackpot!
There may be a bit of work to do to bring the floor up to scratch – but the job is well within reach of DIYers.
First, punch in all the nails before you sand the floor, so they don’t damage the sanding belt. Fill the nail holes with timber filler or putty, along with any larger holes in the floor.
Now for the sanding. Use an upright floor drum sander for the main area, a smaller edger for edges, wardrobes, cupboards and stairs and an orbital floor sander to finish.
You can seal the floor with an oil-based varnish or polyurethane, but you won’t be able to walk on the floor for several days. A water-based polyurethane is dries quicker and you can be back in the house by evening as long as you tread carefully.
In more modern houses, you’re more likely to be dealing with a concrete floor underneath the old carpet or tiles. Burnished or polished concrete floors are trending right now, and this look is surprisingly easy to achieve with the right tools.
If the floor has been tiled, there will be a residue of adhesive left behind. A concrete grinder can get rid of residues and surface imperfections. A concrete burnisher is then used to generate heat and melt the floor coating compound into the pores of the concrete surface while simultaneously buffing the surface to a fine, smooth finish for that minimalist, industrial look.
Bonus budget hack: The equipment and tools needed can be an expensive investment for one off project so try to borrow from a friend or visit the team at your local branch of Kennards Hire to get expert advice and the right tools for the job!
