10 Budget-Friendly Home Renovations You Can Complete for Under $500
Home renovations often come with a hefty price tag, but you’d be surprised at how much you can accomplish with a budget of $500 or less! Whether you’re looking to increase your home’s value, add a touch of style, or simply refresh a tired space, these 10 home renovation under $500 ideas will give your home a makeover without breaking the bank.
1. Revamp Your Front Door
The front door is the first thing people notice about your home, and upgrading it can dramatically boost curb appeal. We painted our front door right when we moved it and it is night and day from what it looked like before. Previously it was stained a dark brown. You can see the “before” pictures on my exterior paint post. A fresh coat of paint in a bold, eye-catching color, paired with new hardware like a sleek door handle and knocker, can make a world of difference. Add a stylish doormat and a few potted plants to create a welcoming entryway—all for under $500.
2. Upgrade Your Lighting Fixtures
We have changed the lighting in almost every room in our home. Replacing outdated lighting fixtures with modern, energy-efficient options can transform the look of a room. You can find chic chandeliers, pendant lights, or sconces in a variety of styles at affordable prices, and I love finding many of my light fixtures at this online lighting store.
3. Install a Backsplash in the Kitchen
Adding a backsplash is a simple yet impactful way to enhance your kitchen. When we renovated our kitchen, we put in a simple backsplash and it make a huge distance. For budget-friendly ideas, peel-and-stick tiles are a cost-effective option and come in a wide range of designs, from classic subway tiles to trendy geometric patterns. With a little DIY effort, you can create a stunning focal point behind your stove or sink. I love the tile we used for our backsplash.
4. Refresh Your Bathroom or Kitchen with New Hardware
If a full bathroom remodel is out of the question, simply swapping out hardware can give your bathroom a fresh look. Replace old towel bars, faucets, showerheads, and cabinet pulls with sleek, modern designs. These small changes can make your bathroom feel updated without the need for a major overhaul. You can see the full renovation of our powder bathroom.
5. Paint an Accent Wall or Cabinets
A fresh coat of paint is one of the most affordable ways to transform a space. Choose one wall in a room to paint in a bold or calming color to create a stylish accent. Another option is painting cabinets like what we did in our mudroom and some of our bathrooms. Whether you go for a deep navy, soft sage, or rich terracotta, a new color can instantly change the mood of the room.
6. Install Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are both functional and decorative, providing extra storage while displaying your favorite décor items. You can install them in the living room, kitchen, or even the bathroom. They’re affordable and easy to mount, making them a great weekend project for under $500. We added a floating shelf in our basement for a “makeshift” bar area, and it completely transformed the space. See our budget-friendly basement renovation.
7. Upgrade Your Window Treatments
New curtains, blinds, or shades can make a room feel more polished and put together. When we first moved into our home, all the windows had the faux wood blinds that were hard to pull up and very bland. I pull them out and added Roman shades. Look for affordable options that complement your home’s décor. You can find stylish and energy-efficient window treatments at reasonable prices, and they can instantly elevate any room’s look.
8. Replace Old Faucets
An outdated faucet can make an entire kitchen or bathroom feel dated. For a quick refresh, replace your old faucet with a new one in a sleek, modern finish like brushed nickel, matte black, or stainless steel. This small update is both affordable and easy to install on your own.
9. Add a Rug
If you have carpet that needs to be replaced or scratches on your hardwoods, instantly update it by adding a stylish rug over the surface. This is the cheapest and quickest way to updating flooring. For our basement renovation, replacing the carpet was going to cost more than we wanted to spend. So instead I bought rugs to add style to the room and update the bland beige carpet. This was also the same thing in our guest bedroom. We have old carpet and while we do want to replace for hardwoods, in the meantime we added a rug to hide the carpet.
10. Create a Gallery Wall
If you’re looking for a way to personalize your home, a gallery wall is a creative and budget-friendly option. Gather photos, artwork, or prints you love and arrange them in a curated display. You can find inexpensive frames at thrift stores or discount shops to create a cohesive and stylish look for your wall. This is an easy way to create visual interest in a room. See how to make a picture grid gallery wall.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to spend a fortune to breathe new life into your home. With these 10 budget-friendly renovations, you can update your space, add value to your home, and express your personal style—all for under $500. Whether you’re prepping your home for sale or just want a fresh look, these simple projects are an excellent way to get started!
