There are a number of ways you can improve the design and function of your home without spending a lot of money.

1. How to Improve the
Look of Your Home
on a Budget
EUGENE CHRINIAN

2. How to Improve the Look of Your
Home on a Budget
 Many people often think that interior design projects will end up breaking
the bank, but this is not always the case. Whether you are looking to
simply add color to a room or reinvent a whole space, there are a wide
range of inexpensive options that will give your home a boost in design
and function. Here are a few of the ways in which you can improve the
look of your home while staying within budget:

3. Build Your Own Occasional Table
 Instead of purchasing a pricey rolling occasional
table (one that fits over your bed so you can use it to
eat on or as a laptop table), you can easily build one
of your own. Start by determining the height of your
mattress so you can create a table that seamlessly
fits above the bed. Then, you will only need a few
simple supplies to begin the building process. Using
wood screws, assemble three cuts of wood into a u-
shape. Then affix rigid locking wheels to the bottom
of the table so it can smoothly roll from the foot of
the bed to the headboard. You can make this low-
cost solution fit into the color scheme of your room
by adding a coat of paint.
Image courtesy U.S. Dept of
Agriculture | Flickr

4. Create an Office out of a Closet
 If you have unused closet space, you can transform it into a small home
office. After removing the door from its hinges, use brackets to set a deep
shelf inside the closet. Above your new desk space, you can also install a
second, shallow shelf that can serve as extra storage space. Spruce up your
new home office with a whiteboard, vases, and decorative lighting for a
completed look.

5. Add Storage to Your Kitchen
 A blank space on the walls or in the corners of your kitchen provides
endless opportunities for you to get creative. One way to make use of
empty space is to put up a shelving unit. Even if you use simple shelves,
you can explore your creativity and make the space more interesting by
hanging them with embellished brackets. For an even more interesting
decorative aspect, you can adorn your new shelves with eye-catching
accessories.

6. De-Clutter Your Foyer
 The foyer of the home is often one of the most cluttered areas. However,
you can create order while also bringing a unique design element to this
space in a number of ways. Perhaps the best DIY solution to a clutter
problem is to create a comprehensive storage unit. For example, you can
build a padded storage bench that doubles as shoe storage and as a
seating area. You can even add a shelving unit to hold your keys and other
daily essentials. It is also important to bring an element of style to this
area, so you can try adding a pop of color to help make an impression on
your incoming guests.

7. Bring in Modular Shelving
 Modular shelving can make an exciting
and useful addition to any empty area in
your living room. Not only are these units
highly adaptable, but they also provide
ample space for you to add storage and
decoration. If you use white modular
shelves, you can bring a bit of color into
the room by filling them with vibrant
books. Alternatively, you can complement
a more minimalistic aesthetic by filling the
shelf cubbies with storage bins and
baskets that will help mask the clutter and
provide a clean look.
Image courtesy
betiiita | Flickr

8. Find a New Use for an Armoire
 For little to no cost, you can turn an old or unused armoire into something
completely new. Perhaps one of the best ways in which you can find new
purpose for this furnishing is to transform it into a kitchen beverage stand.
All you need is a can of whatever paint will best suit your kitchen’s color
scheme. To use the armoire as a drink surface and create a more finished
look, you can fit the lowest shelf with countertop that matches the rest of
your kitchen. You can then decorate your completed piece with cork art
and your best wine glasses.

9. Install a Kitchen Backsplash
 You do not need to hire professionals or spend a great amount of money
to create a polished, professional-looking backsplash in your kitchen.
Beadboard paneling is not only inexpensive, but it is also easy to install
yourself. You can purchase it in large cuts and affix it to the wall using only
adhesive and a nail gun. After filling in the nail holes, you can stain the
wood. Another great way to bring some flair and uniqueness to your
backsplash is to use adhesive decals, which are easy to remove if you ever
change the theme of your kitchen.

10. Inject Life into a Bookcase
 When looking to add brightness and texture to a room without
committing to an entire wall of wallpaper, you can opt for a more subtle
approach. The back panel of a bookshelf makes a perfect canvas for
whatever pattern or texture you wish to see in your room. You can use
wallpaper, fabric, or even scrapbook paper to create a unique piece of
furniture at a cost of next to nothing. To create a more temporary option,
you can adhere the colorful paper to a piece of poster board and fit it onto
the back of the shelves. This enables you to easily swap designs out for
other options should you change the room’s color scheme.