Two thousand dollars may not seem like a large amount of money to spend on home improvement, but simple updates can be made that will change the look and feel of your home, without spending tens of thousands of dollars. Check out our best home improvement projects for $2,000 or less below!
1. Replace Kitchen Countertops
By changing your countertops, you can change the entire look and feel of your kitchen. Depending on what type of material you choose, you can keep this renovation under $2,000. Countertop materials will come in a range of qualities and prices. Different possibilities of countertops are:
• Concrete
• Stainless steel
• Solid surfacing
• Stone (granite, slate, marble)
• Wood
• Laminate
• Ceramic tile
For less expensive countertops, considering using ceramic tile, laminate, or solid surfacing. Of course, if you work with a contractor, the cost will dramatically increase and may run you over your $2,000 – but with this, you will be getting quality results.
2. Lighten Up Your Space
Switching old fashioned lighting fixtures to newer, modern lighting is an easy way to update your home. Adding new lighting fixtures to match the décor of your house is an easy and effective way to make your home feel fresh. Attractive metallic pieces in copper or bronze will add a new flare to your space for a relatively inexpensive investment.
3. Replace your Floors
Replace outdated, scuffed, or ruined floors with newer, modern flooring will make your home look brand new.
Genuine hardwood flooring costs around $2.50 – $3.00 per square foot – and another $3 a square foot to have a professional install it. So, for example, for around $1,500 you will be able to install new hardwoods for a 12 by 15 foot living room. Find out more information about hardwood flooring options and the best solution for your home.
Instead of replacing your flooring, you may be able to refinish it instead. If you have scuffs and marks that do not penetrate all the way through the wood, simply scuff-sand your floors with a buffer and apply a coat or two of finish for floors that look brand new. If you do not own a buffer, look around at your local home centers for more information about renting. Refinishing your hardwood floors, instead of installing new ones, will cost you less than $500 dollars, and about a day of your time.
4. Update Your Bathroom
You may think that updating your bathroom has to be a huge investment, but simple updates can change the entire look of your bathroom, without spending tens of thousands of dollars.
Try replacing your vanity with a pedestal sink or a modern wood model with a stone countertop. You may want to think about adding a new mirror or updating the faucet. Another inexpensive way to make your bathroom more pleasing is to change fixtures such as the sink faucet, towel racks, or shower head.
Introduce color into your bathroom by tiling around a faucet– or add a splash of colored tile in your shower. Adding complementary décor such as flowers and fresh towels will make your space look elegant and put together.
5. Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Painting a room of your house is a no-brainer. It is a simple and effective way to transform the look of your home, and is considered a “go-to” project when updating the look of your home.
Many retailers will offer a sample of the paint color you are interested in, so you should take advantage of this. You should test the paint on the wall in the room you are looking to update to see how the light reacts with the paint throughout different times of the day. The paint color you choose can look dramatically different depending on how light or dark your room is.
Additionally, you may consider adding crown molding can to add a dramatic effect, which can be very appealing in a dining room or living room area.
6. Add Visual Interest
Adding things to your wall such as art pieces, shelving units, and décor will drastically change your space. If you have a small area you would like to make look bigger, use your vertical space thoughtfully. This will make your space appear larger by tricking the eye into moving up and down, and make your space visually appealing.
Easy ways to achieve this look is by adding an open shelving unit in a vertical pattern. Also, freestanding, open bookshelves are an easy way to add an interesting look and decoration to your home.
You may even create your own masterpiece, take a piece of fabric and stretch it over a canvas and add a decorative frame. You do not have to spend a ton of money to achieve a space that appears interesting and well thought out.
7. Makeover your Entryway
Your entryway is your home’s first impression — and it can make a huge impact on the exterior of your home. You may want to consider adding a fancier door, or simply freshen up your door with a new coat of paint. Think about the landscaping around your door too – adding bushes and flowers can liven up your front door, and adding exterior light fixtures can brighten up your entryway. If you really want your home to have a grand entryway, considering adding a portico, or overhang. For under $1000, a portico will add grandeur to your front door, and add curb appeal to your home.
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