20 Cheap DIY Home Renovations That Will Blow Your Mind

Last updated 08/16/2019 by

Have you ever looked around your home and found that your seemingly humdrum surroundings made you long for the creativity and means to reinvent your space much like your favorite home design shows or those pics you save on Pinterest? Well not to worry, because you’re not alone — we all do it. New décor is definitely attainable if you know where to look. Not sure where to begin or if you have the budget? I’m here to help. From the kitchen to the curb and everywhere in between, I’ve got 20 do-it-yourself ways to redecorate/renovate your home for under $100 that you’re sure to enjoy and that will have you thinking you showed up at the wrong address.

1. STAINLESS STEEL PAINTED KITCHEN APPLIANCES

Love the look of stainless steel appliances, but just don’t have the budget to throw out your old ones and make the upgrade? Well, try slapping on a coat of paint – or three. Go ahead and grab some liquid stainless steel from places like Home Depot, and you’re on your way to a kitchen facelift.

2. PENNY TILED FLOOR

Now I gotta admit, I think it would take a unique individual to try this penny-tiled floor. But honestly, every time I see it I’m attracted to it. Sure, it may take a little longer to install (depending on size of room) compared to traditional tiles or wood planks. But this alternative flooring is textured, reflects light beautifully, and well…will just get better with age.

3. UPDATE BATHROOM TILE

Say you bought a fixer upper, and well…that 80’s bathroom tile just isn’t standing the test of time? That doesn’t mean you have to stay stuck in a time warp. Whitewashing old tile can really freshen up an outdated bathroom and make an otherwise smaller space, appear larger.

4. CHALKBOARD WALL

Want a great place to display your favorite inspirational quote, the dinner menu for the week, or in need a fun idea for the kid’s playroom? Well, a chalkboard painted accent wall can be the perfect solution. Kids — and even kids at heart – will love it. You will find countless reasons to use it and you’ll be drawn to its versatility.

5. GALLERY WALL

Whether it’s in your home office, trailing down a staircase, or the focal point of your living room; I just love a good gallery wall. Don’t you? After all, it’s the perfect opportunity to curate a collection of photos and quotes that make you laugh and inspire you. Pinterest and Etsy are great places to get ideas and grab some prints. Oh, and if you need some killer frames that are super affordable, I recommend trying your local thrift store or even places like Ikea.

6. JEWELRY BOARD

All your jewelry haphazardly thrown in a drawer and hard to find? Well search no more – I’ve come up with a great solution with one of my favorite DIY’s. Try a fun jewelry board that will turn your accessories into a work of art that has the added bonus of accessibility. Score and score!

7. PEEL AND STICK BACKSPLASHES

It’s a well known fact that the two most important rooms that give you the best bang for your buck when selling are: the kitchen and the bathroom. So, why not get a jump on the hub of your home by adding a little texture and color with an easy-to-apply peel-and-stick backsplash? These fuss-free tiles offer easy application…and no one will even suspect that you didn’t hire an expert for the job.

8. WAINSCOTING

Everyone loves a home with good character. Think yours is lacking in that area? Try adding some of your own by putting up some wainscoting. While I might grab a friend to help with this one….you’re sure to love the touch of sophistication this adds to the walls of any room in your home.

9. DECORATIVE BOXES FOR YOUR OFFICE (OR CLOSET)

A little organization can go a very long way, and these roomy and colorful boxes make for the perfect packing solution. Instead of having your office supplies strewn about and cluttering up your desk, grab these space savers from places like The Container Store and Ikea in your favorite print and hue, and you’re sure to be on your way to a drool-worthy work room in no time.

10. PANELED DOORS

A door speaks volumes about the room behind it, so why not give it something to say? If you have a plain door that could use a little creativity, a solution is fairly simple and close at hand. With some extra plywood and a Saturday afternoon you’ll be on your way to creating some entryways worth talking about with a more traditional feel.

11. FAUX BUTCHER BLOCK COUNTERTOP

I first fell in love with butcher block tables while watching the hit ABC show, “SCANDAL” — the conference table in Olivia Pope’s office gives me life! Whether you want to freshen up your kitchen counter tops, or are brave and want to try your hand at a new dining room table, this DIY is sure to create a conversation piece you’re sure to enjoy for years to come.

12. LAUNDRY ROOM MAKEOVER

Who says the laundry room has to be in some cold and unloved corner of your house? Or at least that’s how my family’s was, growing up. Much like the rest of your home, the laundry room can be a warm and inviting place too. A fresh coat of paint, cool baskets, and plenty of shelves for storage…and you just might be looking forward to laundry day. Or at least not dreading it J
Need some more ideas? Here are 100+ Laundry Room Makeovers you are sure to love.

13. MAKE FAKE FLOWERS LOOK OH-SO-REAL

Been looking for a great floral arrangement for your coffee table? Well, whether they’re real or faux (the super nice ones), if you’re like me you may have noticed that these centerpieces can get a little pricey. But, they don’t have to be. This new spin on some dollar store staples can help you get the look you’ve been searching for without breaking the bank.

14. KITCHEN HARDWARE

Before you come to the resolve that updating your kitchen cabinetry is out of your budget….consider extending their life with some new hardware. It’s easy to do and will completely change up the existing look. Want a total makeover? Do like they do on all the HGTV design shows and sand them down and repaint them before adding the hardware — you won’t believe the transformation.

15. FLOATING SHELVES

Every single shelf in my apartment is a floating — I just love the sleek and effortless design. Whether you’re making a dull corner into a mini-office (like I did) or giving all of your photos and tchotckes a home, once you install them you’ll never know how you got along without them.

16. CHAIR MAKEOVER

Hey, think your grandma’s hand-me-down dining room chairs have seen better days? Well, before you sentence them to your next garage sale, give them just one more look. Chances are, they have good bones and a lot of life left in them. All they need is some fabric in your favorite print, a little time and lots of elbow grease….and you’ll have a new set of heirlooms that will last for at least another generation (or two).

17. WINDOW BOX

Got a green thumb? Well, you’re in luck because these small encasements make a great place for a starter garden, while at the same time sprucing up the outside of your home. Whether its fresh basil or a beautiful set of annuals you have in store, you’ll never regret the time you spent making this beauty a part of your home’s exterior.

18. MAILBOX

Think livening up your mailbox is a waste of time? Well, think again. Giving a second life to something that may initially seem like such a small detail, can go a long way. Step up your curb appeal by giving your mailbox a little love. It’ll set the tone for all who enter your driveway, and the mailman just might thank you.

19. BOOKCASE MAKEOVER

Everyone has an old bookcase that has seen better days – I mean I’ve sure picked up my fair share off of CraigsList. But before you do the grown up thing and ditch all your ex-oldie but goodies for some grown up décor; consider giving that book case a couple hours of your time, (and maybe) some paint and/or wallpaper, and you’ll have a new focal point that you’re sure to find all sorts of uses for.

20. STAIRCASE DRAWERS

After living in tiny New York City apartments for many years, I’m a firm believer that you can never have too much storage. These hidden staircase drawers offer a perfect solution to maximizing already limited space. You can do it on the cheap with only a few supplies. Or, if you have some old drawers you’re not using, do it for just about free by re-purposing unwanted furniture.

All images courtesy of Pinterest.com.

Brandhyze Stanley

Brandhyze Stanley is the chief voice of the award winning blog, Frugal-nomics.com; a platform designed to share with women how to live and look fabulous on a dime. A DIY girl at heart—Brandhyze has been featured on The View, The Early Show, The Today Show, InStyle Magazine, Essence Magazine, and MTVStyle. A Wilhelmina Model for over a decade, with a Business Degree from Loyola University Chicago, Brandhyze has been a contributor for the Huffington Post, Yahoo Finance, Manilla, Good Housekeeping, and Newsday Westchester, to name a few.

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