IN THIS POST
- Customised Cabinets
- Beautiful Backsplash
- Spruce Up the Wall
- Install New Flooring
- Renew Old Grout
- Add Light Fixtures
- Freshen Up the Door
- Improve the Outdoors
Buying a new house is always exciting, especially if you are a first-time homeowner. However, unless you have hired a contractor to build your dream home, there is a good chance your new residence may require a few minor improvements to complement your lifestyle and preferences. Since purchasing a property can put a sizable dent in your bank account, we have decided to bring you a list of easy home upgrades you can do yourself – that too without going over your budget.
Easy Home Upgrades for Your New House
Here are some of the most inexpensive home upgrades that add value to a house and make it look brand new, even if it is an old construction.
Customised Cabinet with Updated Hardware
Outdated or low-quality cabinetry can significantly diminish the visual appeal of your cooking space. Even if the house you have moved into is newly constructed, you can always enhance its aesthetics by customising the kitchen cabinets and swapping its knobs.
If you are unhappy with the current state of the cabinetry, you always have the option to replace them with full-height cabinets or ones with glass doors. You can check out our guide on the best kitchen cabinet designs for more ideas. In addition, you can learn how to install cabinets by yourself to save thousands of bucks.
On the other hand, if you are satisfied with the quality and placement of the cabinetry in your home, you can consider opting for a quick fix with a fresh coat of paint. Repainting your kitchen cabinets will only take a few hours, but it will completely transform your space for the better. All you will need for this DIY project is some water-based latex paint in your desired colour, a suitable primer, sanding paper, paint brushes, and a clear sealant (optional).
Once the paint is dry and you have re-assembled the cabinetry, you can replace its existing pulls and knobs with an updated version. For instance, if your kitchen cabinets currently have plastic hardware, swapping it with brass fixtures will instantly make your space look modern and chic. It is also among the most common new home upgrades after purchase.
Add an Aesthetically Appealing Backsplash
The next on our list of easy home upgrades after buying a house is installing a new backsplash.
If you have purchased a recently constructed property, there is a good chance it already has an attractive backsplash in its kitchen. However, if you don’t like its design or colour, you can always update it to give your space a complete makeover without putting a strain on your wallet.
Depending on your personal style, you can spruce up your cooking space with different types of backsplashes, such as mixed-and-match tiles, glass tile mosaic, subway tiles, stainless steel, and even wallpaper. Moreover, for those who like to keep up with the latest trends, backsplashes made from natural stones are all the rage in 2022.
It is also important to remember that backsplash serves a very practical purpose in any kitchen. While it is a sure-fire way of adding a pop of colour to your space, it also protects the walls from water damage and grease stains. Therefore, make sure to choose the right material for this home improvement project.
On the other hand, if the existing backsplash in your new home suits its overall design theme, you can consider keeping it as is. However, don’t forget to follow our tips to clean kitchen backsplash tiles to keep your kitchen looking up-to-date and beautiful.
Spruce Up the Walls
When you move into a new house or an apartment, it usually takes a while for it to actually start feeling like a home. The main reasons are that the space feels unfamiliar and looks too bland. However, there is a quick and easy fix to these problems: sprucing up the walls.
If you have moved into an old home, there is a good chance that its walls would require a fresh coat of paint and new trimmings to look fresh and new. Meanwhile, if you have purchased a new home, you may not particularly like the colour palette chosen by the former owner or the builder. While those living in rental units may not always have this option, homeowners can easily paint any room any colour they want without seeking any permission.
To freshen up your walls, you must make sure to choose the right paint finish and calculate how much paint you will require. In addition, you can check out our detailed guide on how to paint the interior of your home for more useful details.
Another way to add a splash of colour to your home décor is to create an accent wall. You can choose any wall in your room and paint it a different colour to add more depth to the space. Moreover, if your budget allows, you can even choose between different types of wallpapers to create a show-stopping accent wall. It is among the top home upgrades that are worth it.
Install New Flooring
Are you not happy with the flooring material in your new house? Regardless of what the reason may be, replacing old flooring with an affordable and practical alternative is one of the top home improvement ideas that all homeowners should know about.
Ideally, those moving into a newly constructed property won’t need to install new floors anytime soon – unless they want to give their place a complete makeover. On the other hand, those who purchase old homes may need to upgrade the flooring to make the space look cleaner and more inviting. It is also important to mention that broken floor tiles or missing hardwood boards are a huge tripping hazard, and can be quite dangerous for households with kids and the elderly.
When it comes to installing new floors, you must be careful about selecting the right material. If you want to make your home look more luxurious and stylish, you may want to install hardwood flooring. Though it may be a little expensive, it is also rather durable and aesthetically pleasing. Alternatively, you can take a look at our guides on marble vs tile flooring and the best antimicrobial flooring options to reach a well-informed decision.
Meanwhile, if you are looking for eco-friendly flooring options in Pakistan, your top choices include bamboo, linoleum, cork, glass tile, reclaimed hardwood, natural stone tile, and stained concrete floorings.
Deep Cleaning or Renewing Old Grout
Cleaning or restoring grout is also one of the most inexpensive home upgrades for old homes.
Since grout is an essential part of tile flooring, it can impact the integrity of the whole flooring if it begins to wear out or get damaged. Moreover, traditional grout is extremely porous, which means it is not only less durable but also absorbs dirt and grime at an alarming rate. In some instances, it can also be rather difficult to clean, which eventually leads to unsightly cracks and small holes in its surface.
If the grout between the tiles in your room or bathroom simply looks dirty, you can cover it with a mixture of baking soda and water before using an old toothbrush to scrub the area. It will help make the grout look squeaky clean in a few minutes. However, if you are dealing with mould between the tiles, you may want to use a bleach solution to thoroughly clean and disinfect the space.
However, if the old grout is crumbling or cracked beyond repair, you may have to use a carbide-tipped scoring knife to gently scrape the grout without inadvertently damaging the neighbouring tiles. Then, make sure to clean the surface using a moist microfibre cloth to get rid of any powdery remnants present between the tiles. The next step would be to buy grout powder available at the hardware store and mix it with water as per the instructions on the package. You can use a flat trowel to carefully apply the material between the tiles and use a sponge to clean the edges.
Upgrade the Light Fixtures
The type of lighting you select for different parts of your home not only sets the mode and ambience but can also have a huge impact on your mood, sleeping pattern, and appetite. That being said, lighting is considered one of the most important elements of interior design as it can significantly affect the visual appeal of your home.
For example, a badly positioned light fixture can make your room look smaller and give your décor a tackier appearance. Meanwhile, a strategically placed light fixture can make the same room look more exquisite and extravagant. Hence, choosing the right light fixtures is among the easy home upgrades you should definitely consider making after buying a new house.
If you are confused about the best type of lighting for each room in your house, our comprehensive guide on the topic will surely help you out. Additionally, you may want to take a look at our tips on choosing the right light fixtures for your interior as well as the best types of pendant lights for your home.
Upgrading the light fixtures with the right type of bulbs is also one of the top home improvement ideas for small houses, as a brightly-lit room can create an optical illusion of a bigger space.
Freshen Up the Front Door
Installing a new front door is often considered a good investment when it comes to old homes. Nevertheless, if your property is completely brand new and the front door looks sufficiently sturdy, you may not need to replace it just yet. However, you can always repaint it to make it look more personalised. Not to mention, a beautiful front door can add to the curb appeal of your property. It also ranks pretty high on the list of best home improvements for resale.
Before we talk about the most suitable paint types and colours for this project, please note that painting a front door is not very costly. In fact, you can do it yourself. All you will need for this DIY home upgrade is painter’s tape, fine sandpaper, primer, paint, a wire brush, and a paintbrush. You should also make sure to invest in a good quality latex exterior paint that is highly resistant to harsh weather conditions.
As far as hues are concerned, you can choose a classic colour in a shade of white, brown or black to enhance the appearance of your house. Although if you want to venture a little out of your comfort zone and try something new, some of the most recommended hues for front doors include navy blue, turquoise blue, sailor blue, greyish white, olive green, dark purple, and mahogany.
Give a New Life to the Outdoors
Last but not least, if your new house comes with a front yard or a patio, you can easily turn it into an outdoor seating area where you can enjoy your evening tea or read your morning newspaper. If you have a large garden, you can even revamp it by building a small gazebo using bamboo sticks and wooden boards. It can also serve as an ideal spot to organise barbecues, host birthday parties, and whatnot.
Nonetheless, if you want to start with something simple, you can start by working on your lawn to increase its aesthetic appeal. Next, you should check out our list of amazing landscaping ideas to figure out if you should opt for installing water features or creating a rock garden for a sophisticated look. You can also decorate this space with different types of colourful flowers, artificial or natural trellis, and outdoor furniture made of rattan, wood, or plastic.
Remember, refreshing your outdoors is perhaps one of the best home upgrades that add value to your new residence.
To conclude, whether you are buying a newly constructed house or an old one, there are quite a few things you can do to add to its beauty. From restoring the grout and creating an accent wall to painting the front door and setting up an outdoor seating area, these easy home upgrades won’t cost you a fortune but add more personality to your space.
If you found this blog useful, here are a few more DIY home improvement guides that you may want to take a look at:
- Simple Home Improvement Projects You Can Complete in an Afternoon
- 15 Ways to Add Colour to Your Home Without Using Paintbrush
- Costly Home Improvement Projects That Don’t Add Value to Your Home
Meanwhile, if you have recently become a proud homeowner, don’t forget to check out our ultimate list of essentials for your new home.
For more easy home upgrade ideas, please stay connected to Zameen Blog – the best lifestyle and property blog in Pakistan. You can also share your queries with us at blog@zameen.com and visit our Facebook page to learn all about the latest real estate investment opportunities in your city.
