Being a homeowner requires steady maintenance and upkeep. Something will always need to be change or cleaned, weeds will need to be pulled, paint will need to be refreshed on occasion — the list goes on. Renovations can be expensive, but there are some minor upgrades (that you can do on your own) that will give your home a freshening up without any costly outside help. Here are a few easy upgrades to consider for your St. Louis home:

Update Your Cabinets

Out-of-date cabinetry can make your kitchen feel dated and run down. Tearing them out and replacing with new cabinets can be prohibitively expensive. The affordable (and still impressive) option is to paint them. Painting the kitchen cabinets will take some time, energy, and patience, but the end result will certainly be worth it. Start by removing the hardware and sanding the cabinets down before you paint. Once you’ve painted, update the door and drawer handles really make it feel like new. If you’re happy with the result, consider doing the same in your bathrooms.

Landscaping

This is, of course, not the optimal time of year for landscaping work, but you can get a plan together now, and be ready to go full-throttle in the spring. Landscaping does wonders for your home’s curb appeal, and however green (or not green) your thumb is, you can still give your outdoor space a welcome transformation. If you fall into the not-green thumb category, gardening websites and the gardening professionals at your local nursery can be invaluable. Think about creating some raised flower beds or planting flowering shrubbery or additional trees — the options are almost endless. Remember to layer the plants with the tallest in the back, and pay close attention to spacing instructions for individual varieties when planting to make sure the plants have enough space to thrive.

Maximize the Storage

Storage is important for every homeowner, and it also allows you to add some architectural elements to your home. Floating shelves are a quick and relatively inexpensive upgrade for smaller spaces such as bathrooms, kitchens, and bedrooms. In larger areas such as a living room or family room, consider adding a built in bookshelf.

Wallpaper

Wallpaper has come a long way and is now quite easy to install and remove. We aren’t talking about that wallpaper that was in your grandmother's kitchen either – today's designs are bold with amazing designs and graphics, making your room look as if it was done by a professional.  This wallpaper is easily installed and can be reused, so don’t be intimidated by the horror stories of wallpapers past. When using bold patterns, it’s a good idea to do one focal wall in each room.

Add an Outdoor Space

Don’t have a deck or a patio? No problem, you can still create an outdoor living space without breaking the bank, but how lavish you make it will depend on your budget. Your outdoor living area can be as simple as a few chairs with end tables and some potted plants, or it can be a bit more on the fancier side by laying down pavers, installing a pergola, hanging some string lights, furniture, and a fire pit. Either way, you’re adding square footage to your living space and you’ll be encouraged to spend some more time outside.

You don’t need to break the bank to update your home. These tips will allow you to breathe new life into your home with whatever budget you have available.

If you have any questions about any of these ideas, or if you need a recommendation for a sharp handyman, please get in touch. I’m always happy to help.