For the past couple of years, I have been on a real estate automatic mailing list so that I get sent local properties as they get listed on the market. We aren’t set on moving but if they right opportunity comes along in the right area, we’ll consider it as an option. When I first set this up, I would scour the listings, go through and eye all the pretty homes and think about how much nicer they are than our house. Of course, back then our home wasn’t so nice. But over the past couple of years, it has slowly changed.
As time has gone by, and things at our current home have changed, I have found a shift within myself. I’ve gone from seeing other real estate listings and wanting every other house out there to seeing them and making mental lists of all the things I like about our home better. Yes, other houses are sometimes shinier and bigger and have closet space and nice details. I know that those things won’t make my life better though and I seem to have unknowingly discovered I’m really happy right where I am.
By making changes to our home, instead of buying one much more expensive, we’ve been able to make this home one that we love and one we’re really happy with. Although our home has been one that we’ve gutted and rebuilt, it doesn’t usually take such drastic measures to make a home comfortable, cozy, stylish, and functional.
So while the housing market tumbles and prices drop daily, instead of moving, it’s a great time to put a little money into making a couple changes to your current home rather than taking on the huge expense of moving somewhere else.
Here are some relatively inexpensive changes that can be made to really alter the feel of your home.
Paint
One of the easiest changes you can make for little money is to paint. It’s an inexpensive way to add your own sense of style, add current colors, and completely alter a space without having to change anything else.
Paint isn’t just for walls anymore either. Paint your trim and baseboards white for something small that will make a big impact.
Don’t like your dark wood kitchen cabinets? Paint them instead of buying all new ones.
Change Fixtures
Replace ceiling fans, light fixtures, door knobs, and kitchen and bath fixtures to provide a quick update. Oftentimes, it’s not even necessary to replace these things. Like a bronzed finish for your fixtures but don’t have the money to drop on replacing them all? Choose a bronze finish paint and paint what you already have.
If you do replace them, don’t forget to resell what you’ve taken out of your home for a little more cash in your pocket.
Reset Your Rooms
This is one of my favorite ways to bring a little change for no money. By simply moving what I already have around into a new layout, it simplifies a space, is a good way to reduce clutter, and can make a huge impact on a room. To reset a room, take everything off of shelves, tables, etc… and remove everything from the room. Put furniture back in how you want it and then only put those “things” back that you really want there. This is a good chance to go through old books and to really discover the clutter that you’ve stopped noticing and you’ll instantly enjoy your space more.
What are some ideas you have for making changes at home without spending a lot of money or taking on a huge move just to get the kitchen of your dreams or a few more closets?
Photo credits: Country Living
Those are wonderful ideas. I agree, paint is one of my favorite things to do and I am always moving our furniture around. As soon as I feel dissatisfied, I start dragging furniture around so everything feels knew again
Amy´s last blog post..Play It Again, Momma: Fruity Play Dough
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Thanks for sharing your thoughts and ideas, I especially like the “reset your room” idea. I think I’ll try that. I too have noticed a shift towards more contentment with what I have instead of always wanting more.
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great ideas. i also like that you don’t have to be too handy to do these. I’m not handy, but I’ll learn: emily, i showed my husband your blog when making a case for buying a small fixer-upper (this is years in the future, but a girl can dream.) now he knows that when we buy it’s going to be all about paint and grout and floorboard shopping. it’s a good thing he’s such a good sport
neimanmarxist´s last blog post..Social Occasions
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We painted all the walls and painted our cabinets. They made our home much more livable. I think realizing that your home is a work in progress also helps.
Chiot’s Run´s last blog post..Garden Dreaming
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I really love the idea of resetting the room. I have so much random “stuff” on my shelves in my bedroom that I need it all gone to put pretty things there.
Lindsay´s last blog post..Pride, Patriotism, and Pancakes
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Hi Emily
These are some wonderful ideas AND pictures! We’re moving, but I know that this will be a great way of making things new again once I get tired of them
rue
rue´s last blog post..One more trip to PB & J Cottage before the big move
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I think adjusting our thoughts to loving where we live is so important. It’s easy to get caught in wanting more…a nicer house, more space. I love the photos you included. Just lovely.
livingmyrichlife´s last blog post..Obama’s Inauguration Speech: What I took from it
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Great ideas and photos! I LOVE painting my walls (not the act per se) and changing things around a bit. I will keep these tips in mind.
Carla´s last blog post..Clearing Out
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We took every single thing out of our master bedroom! We thought it would take a lot to make the room look nice but when it was empty, we realized all we needed were two valences (one for each window.) We put things back with a great deal of thought and care — only things that truly belonged in the room were allowed back. Tons of clutter got kicked to the curb.
When we finished, the room was really cute and enjoyable. It’s amazing what just getting rid of clutter will do. This was in our first starter home and we always go back to that model when we are feeling unhappy about our house!
Mary´s last blog post..A different idea for using your emergency fund …
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Sooooo true! I just painted my sons room (see my latest two post) and what a difference. “I” feel so much better walking into his room. Change is good. Keeps things fresh.
leigh of Tales from Bloggeritaville´s last blog post..Mistreating with Burlap
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I love the yellow and white in the first photo. I’m in another painting mood, thanks for more inspiration!
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A couple of years ago I decided to “bloom where I was planted” and really started focusing on making my home into what I wanted it to be (but on a budget). For the most part that has worked but when you don’t really like the town you’re living in and it has nothing to do with the house, well it’s a bit more challenging!
Manuela
the pleasures of homemaking´s last blog post..Depression Era Wisdom
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i have no homemaking gene, nor do i think i will have feel the need to “settle down”. but i absolutely adore your pictures.
deepali´s last blog post..revisiting the 10 year plan
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Love this post, and the pictures are perfect! Thanks for sharing!
FSBOJane´s last blog post..what brought me back
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