Affordable Interior Design Ideas for Home Renovation. Renovating your home can be an exciting project, but it can also become expensive quickly. The average minor kitchen remodel costs around $22,500 and a bathroom remodel runs $20,000 according to Remodeling Magazine’s Cost vs. Value report. With some creativity and smart planning though, you can update the look and feel of any room in your house without blowing your budget.
“Focusing on smaller scale changes that provide maximum visual impact is key for affordable renovations,” says Los Angeles interior designer Emma Jones. “You don’t need to remodel everything to give your home a fresh new look.”
Affordable Interior Design Ideas for your next home improvement project:
Refreshing Your Kitchen on a Budget
1. Repaint or refinish cabinets.
A can of cabinet paint costs around $30. Painting the existing cabinetry white, black or a trendy shade of blue or green provides an instant facelift for 20% or less of custom cabinet replacement. For extra savings, sand and refinish worn wood cabinets instead of painting.
2. Update hardware.
New knobs and pulls from stores like Home Depot and Lowes cost as little as $2-$5 per handle. Brushed bronze, matte black, or glass knobs provide an elevated look. Creating patterns and mixes of hardware also adds character.
3. Incorporate open shelving.
Removing upper cabinet doors and replacing them with open shelving gives a kitchen an airy, modern feel for the cost of the brackets alone ($20-$30 each). Use inexpensive baskets, glass jars, and containers from IKEA or Target to hold items.
4. Add a statement backsplash.
Use removable wallpaper or contact paper for backsplash areas. Choose marble, wood grain, or graphic prints. A 4×8 ft. sheet costs $25 or less. For a permanent option, tile a small section behind a stove for visual impact. Materials for a 4 sq. ft. area average $100.
5. Update lighting.
Pendant lights or a colorful chandelier over an island make a huge style impact. Vintage or global-inspired world market pendants start around $40 per light. Replacing mount lighting over a sink with new track lighting adds task-oriented functionality.
6. Add paint and molding.
Use painter’s tape and paint to create faux shiplap or board and batten on walls. Add inexpensive foam trim molding around the ceiling, floors, and windows to elevate the room’s architectural elements.
Reimagining Your Bathroom for Less
1. Repaint the vanity.
A fresh coat of paint is the easiest bathroom upgrade. Use high-gloss enamel or cabinet paint in a neutral, navy, or deep green shade. If the existing cabinet is quality wood, have it refinished instead for around $500?
2. New countertop.
Replace an old laminate countertop with inexpensive options like textured laminate, butcher block ($150), concrete resurfacing kits ($250), or cerused oak from home improvement stores.
3. Change the lighting.
Add Hollywood glam with art deco sconces ($60 each) or stick with minimalism with simple globe vanity lights ($80). Replace overhead lighting with a rain showerhead to save cost.
4. Incorporate wallpaper.
Use removable wallpaper as a backsplash alternative. Choose patterns like Moroccan tiles, palms, or geometrics starting at $25 per roll. Use around mirrors, on the ceiling, or as a border for added flair.
5. Update accessories.
New shower curtains ($20+), bath mats ($10+), soap dispensers ($12+), and mirrors ($60+) make bathrooms appear more polished. Buy inexpensive matching sets from Target or IKEA.
6. Replace faucets.
A basic 4-inch spread faucet in brushed nickel or oil-rubbed bronze costs approx. $60. Matching shower fixtures are also affordable, starting around $75. Use graphic patterned drain covers to tie the space together.
“There are so many ways to give bathrooms a new look for $500 or less,” explains Phoenix-based designer Jessica Watkins. “Creating visual interest through wallpaper, new sconces, and accessories goes a long way.”
DIY Projects for Dramatic Impact
Beyond kitchen and bathroom renovations, there are easy DIY projects that add character to living spaces, bedrooms, and more:
– Accent walls with bold graphic wallpaper or one-day paint projects
– Faux wainscoting using wallpaper or paint for visual interest
– Removable wallpaper on shelving, furniture, and counters for faux marble or wood grain
– Frosted window film or reusable stained glass for privacy and design
– Painting dated furniture pieces from thrift stores for updated accents
– Displaying art, photos, and mementos on eclectic gallery walls
– Adding molding on walls, ceilings, and trim for architectural detail
– Replacing curtains with Roman shades or options like rattan blinds
– Applying colorful removable wallpaper as a desk or table backsplash
– Using stencils and paint for custom floors in high-traffic areas
– Repurposing furniture like dressers and bookshelves for other uses
“Many renters DIY small upgrades to personalize their space without permanent changes,” says DIY blogger, Michelle Jones. “Accent walls, drawer pulls, removable wallpaper, and slipcovers make rooms feel fresh and custom.”
The key is selecting affordable materials from home improvement retailers, Etsy sellers, thrift stores, and more. Then use creativity, elbow grease, and DIY spirit to transform your home. With the right budget-friendly design ideas, you can renovate any room in your house with style.
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