Every homeowner has renovation ideas, but sometimes our budget doesn’t support our plans. The good news is that there are some simple strategies Des Moines homeowners can employ to renovate on any budget. While it may not be that full kitchen remodel you’ve dreamt of, you can still breathe new life into your house with a smaller budget — you just need to know where and how to spend the funds you have available. Here are some helpful ideas to maximize your budget while renovating your home:

What Do You Hope to Achieve?

Start by defining your actual budget. After that, decide what it is you want to achieve and set some expectations. Once you know your budget, and what you plan to do to get the project done, you’ll have a better sense of exactly what will be possible. Having realistic expectations is crucial if you’re going to stay on budget.

Implement a Strategy

Think about how you can get the best return on your investment. If your goal is to give the house an overall facelift, surface upgrades like fresh coats of paint and new textiles can have an impressive impact. If the goal is to make the house a better fit for your family, you’re going to have to prioritize — make a list of the updates and upgrades you want to make, then work down the list as your budget allows.

Go Thrifting

Buying new furniture can be prohibitively expensive. If you’re up for it, rummaging around town for thrifted furniture can be a helpful option. You’re sure to come across some really unique pieces that will stand out, or you can find some pieces that you can refurbish to meet your needs. This is a great way to find interesting lamps, well patinated doorknobs and drawer pulls, artwork, and outdoor sets. Visiting local flea markets and thrift stores will give you an opportunity to find quality pieces that fit your home while saving you a bundle of money.

Do it Yourself

The secret of successful do-it-yourself projects is knowing when to do it yourself and when to enlist professional help. If the project is a new coat of paint, sanding and painting furniture or anything else that just about anyone can do competently, by all means you should tackle it on your own. However, if you don’t have experience with something that requires skill, attempting it on your own can be fraught with difficulties — and could potentially eat up your entire budget. Contractors give free quotes, so you should at least find out what a larger project would cost if done by a pro. Do it yourself wherever you confidently can, but don’t risk damaging your home or creating more expensive problems by attempting a project you’re not qualified for.

With some planning and a defined budget, you’ll be well on your way to doing some impressive home renovations with breaking the bank.

If you’d like to talk more about any of these tips, or if you need a recommendation for an experienced, local handyman, please get in touch. I’m always happy to help.