Purchasing and renovating a house on a budget can be a challenge, but with some savvy planning and DIY skills, you can create a beautiful home without breaking the bank. We’ve gathered 19 of the top budget-friendly reader remodels from magazines and websites to provide inspiration for your own affordable renovation. From small bathroom updates to whole home makeovers, these editors’ picks demonstrate that style doesn’t have to be expensive.
Introduction
Taking on a home renovation project is always an exciting endeavor, allowing you to put your own personal stamp on your living space. However, renovations often come with hefty price tags that can blow budgets and drain bank accounts.
The good news is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to give your home a fresh new look. With careful planning, creativity, and cost-conscious decision making, you can complete gorgeous renovations on a modest budget. We’ve rounded up 19 of the top budget-friendly reader remodels that magazines and websites have featured over the years.
These clever homeowners found ways to update and upgrade their homes for under $20,000, and often for much less. Their projects are proof that you can create a beautiful, functional, and comfortable home, even on a tight budget. The renovations featured run the gamut from small bathroom updates to whole home makeovers.
As you browse these budget-savvy room refreshes and remodels, you’re sure to find plenty of ideas and inspiration to apply to your own home. Our roundup includes tips on how these homeowners stretched their dollars wisely, working with what they already had and getting creative to avoid overspending.
No matter what kind of project you have in mind, these editor-approved reader remodels demonstrate that a little ingenuity goes a long way when trying to maximize your home improvement budget.
Clever Kitchen Updates Under $2,500
Giving your kitchen a mini makeover doesn’t have to drain your wallet. With some thrifty choices and DIY elbow grease, you can update your cooking space for just a few thousand dollars. Here are some of our favorite budget kitchen remodels under $2,500.
Refreshing with Paint and Rustic Wood
- One homeowner transformed her dated 1990s kitchen for just $430 with a coat of bright white paint on the cabinets, new hardware, and rustic wood wall planking made from pine boards cut into squares.
- The paint visually enlarged the small space, while the wood added warmth and texture.
- For the backsplash, removable wallpaper printed with a classic stone pattern was an affordable and commitment-free option.
Swapping Out Drab Cabinets
- Rather than replacing all the cabinets, this homeowner swapped out just the upper cabinets for $1,300, painting the bottom ones sage green.
- Open shelving added airiness for a total cost of $2,300.
- Keeping the existing cabinet boxes saved thousands over a full replacement.
Going Retro with Vinyl Flooring
- Peel-and-stick vinyl tile in a retro black and white checkerboard pattern livened up a dreary kitchen for only $500.
- The homeowner kept existing cabinets and countertops since they were in good shape and added updated brass hardware.
- Inexpensive vinyl tile lets you dramatically change the look of your floors in just a weekend.
With a limited renovation budget, small-scale updates like painting cabinets, adding new hardware and lighting fixtures, switching up backsplash materials, or replacing flooring can make a big visual impact. Focus your efforts on areas that will provide the most bang for your buck.
Opening Up Small Spaces for Under $3,000
Small rooms can feel dark and cramped, but a few smart changes can make them feel light, bright, and more spacious. These homeowners opened up their tiny bathrooms and kitchens for under $3,000 with projects like removing walls, replacing shower doors with curtains, and adding mirrors.
Tiny Bathroom Gets Airy for $1,400
- Knocking down the wall between a bathroom and closet added precious square footage.
- Trading a shower door for an inexpensive curtain created an airier look.
- New paint, updated lighting, and vinyl plank flooring finished the mini-makeover.
Kitchen Opens to Dining Room with Half Wall
- Taking out a full wall separating a kitchen and dining room opened up the space.
- Adding a half wall with a counter retained separation without choking the room.
- Widening the doorway and selecting light colors completed the $2,500 project.
Opening enclosed, cramped rooms to adjacent spaces is an affordable way to make them feel larger. For kitchens and bathrooms under 100 square feet, removing even a small section of wall can make a dramatic difference in brightness and perceived size.
Full Home Makeovers Under $20,000
With careful budgeting and sticking to necessities over luxuries, it’s possible to fully transform homes for under $20,000. Here are some of our favorite whole home remodels from readers completed on modest budgets.
Modern Farmhouse Style on a $18,000 Budget
- This family updated their 3 bedroom ranch home with a bright, airy farmhouse vibe for just $18,000.
- DIY painting, new laminate flooring, open shelving, and secondhand furniture pieces kept costs low.
- The homeowner splurged on statement light fixtures to accent the updated white spaces.
energetic Midcentury Style for Under $15,000
- Going midcentury modern, this couple gave their home an open, airy update for $15,000.
- Knocking down walls between rooms maximized the small square footage.
- Paint, new lighting, secondhand furniture and bold prints created the cheerful look.
You’d never guess these gorgeous whole home makeovers were done on such tight budgets. Limiting renovations to what’s essential, using lots of DIY elbow grease, and furnishing with secondhand finds lets you completely transform living spaces for $20,000 or less. Focus on big visual changes like paint, flooring, and opening up floor plans over expensive countertop or appliance upgrades.
Useful Tips for Renovating on a Budget
If you’re looking to update your home on a budget, employ these useful tips to stretch your dollars and get the most bang for your buck.
- Prioritize changes that make the biggest impact – Focus first on paint, flooring, opening up floor plans and other large-scale changes rather than expensive extras.
- Plan changes in phases – Tackle upgrades over time rather than all at once to spread out costs.
- Do your own labor – Sweat equity saves huge on labor costs. Watch tutorials to take on more yourself.
- Purchase secondhand – From lighting to furniture, secondhand scores offer big savings over new. Shop thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace and garage sales.
- Get creative with materials – Use lower-cost materials in innovative ways, like concrete floors or faux countertops.
- Change only what you need – Work with existing elements like cabinets and countertops that are in good shape.
- Research all options – Find ways to get expensive looks for less, like peel-and-stick tile instead of ceramic.
With careful planning and resourcefulness, you can complete gorgeous renovations tailored to your unique home even on a tight budget.
Frequently Asked Questions About Budget Home Remodels
What is the average cost of renovating a home?
The average minor kitchen remodel costs around $22,500 while a full master suite addition averages around $141,000. Minor upgrades like painting or flooring can often be completed for $3,000 or less. The exact cost depends on factors like location, size of the space and materials used.
How much does it cost to renovate a 1,500 square foot house?
For a minor renovation of a 1,500 square foot home with updates to systems, paint, flooring and fixtures, expect to pay around $45,000. A more extensive remodel with kitchen, bath and addition updates averages $125,000-150,000. High end custom renovations can reach $200,000 or more.
What are the most cost effective home renovations?
Painting, refinishing floors, updating lighting and hardware, and refreshing kitchens and bathrooms by just swapping out cabinets, countertops and fixtures tend to provide the biggest visual impact for the lowest costs. Avoid moving major utilities and structural changes.
How can I remodel my house cheaply?
Plan in phases, do your own labor, buy secondhand items, get creative with affordable materials like concrete counters or stick-on tiles, change only what’s needed, and focus on big impact updates like paint, flooring and opening floor plans instead of luxury finishes to remodel cheaply.
Should I renovate before selling my house?
Light, targeted renovations can potentially boost your home’s sale price, allowing you to recoup renovation costs. Focus on paint, floors, decluttering, system upgrades, and modernizing kitchens and baths. Avoid overly personalized styles. Consult a realtor on the best return on investment.
The Takeaway: Style Doesn’t Have to Be Expensive
What all these clever reader remodels show is that you can create a beautiful, welcoming home through renovations even when working with a limited budget. With careful planning, creativity and cost-conscious choices, expensive custom looks can be achieved for very little.
So if your home needs a style boost but money is tight, don’t despair. Take inspiration from these budget-friendly magazine and website picks to craft your own affordable dream home makeover. With the right smart upgrades and decor choices, you can build a space that suits your personal taste and lifestyle without breaking the bank.