a budget Most people think that a radical apartment makeover costs a lot, but that isn’t always the case. You can get a lot of bang for your buck. There are actually a number of improvements that cost either nothing at all or very little.
First, you can start by fixing various minor issues, such as scratches on furniture. If you’re even slightly handy, this shouldn’t be a big problem for you. Simply sand down the damaged area lightly and then apply varnish. If you’d like a slightly more radical change, you can repaint the damaged furniture in a color you like better than the current one. And if you have a little paint left over, you can use it on the doors as well. These are usually the most battered, especially if you have children. A fresh coat of paint on the doors can refresh not only them but also the room they lead into.
A cheap yet effective way to change the look of your home is to replace the curtains. You can do the same with blinds or drapes. Plus, new curtains can be easily embellished, for example with multicolored ribbons. If you’re a fan of modern design, don’t put anything on the windows. That’s trendy today—and it’s free.
You can also make a change if you’re not happy with the look of your floor. There’s no need to rip out the hardwood or even the paneling right away; simply changing the carpet will do the trick. If you can’t afford a new one right now, that’s okay. Bare floors are all the rage these days. And if you do end up missing the carpet, you can always buy one later.
You can also replace your furniture. This task, however, will be one of the more complicated ones. Not only is furniture usually quite heavy, but it’s also not among the cheapest items in an apartment. But even this problem has a solution. Just browse through antique shops or check out flea markets. You’ll almost always find a few interesting pieces to furnish your home with—and usually at very reasonable prices.
