4 Easy and Cheap Home Improvement Ideas

Having a fresh new interior in an older home is something most people desire. However, with today’s economy, many homeowners simply can’t afford to remodel—so I’ve put together a list of quick and inexpensive home improvements to rid that outdated look and feel on a limited budget.

- Install a new ceiling fan in your living room, kitchen or den. There are many great looking fans available for around $100 dollars. The installation is fairly easy if you follow the directions. Not mechanically inclined? Hire a handyman or ask your neighbor or brother-in-law to lend a hand. It may cost you another $100 or a good meal for the help with installation, but that’s nothing compared to how good you’ll feel after the project is done.

-  Living room looking a little bland? If you have wood or tile floors, add an Area Rug. A great rug adds more to a space than just color, pattern, or texture. Visually, it helps to ground furniture and define a space; functionally, it protects floors, absorbs noise, and provides plush padding underfoot. It’s quick, easy and very affordable.

- Paint old kitchen cabinets instead of replacing them. This is an easy project, but do some homework before you get started. Depending on the current finish of your cabinets, you’ll need to know if you should strip, sand or just de-gloss before beginning the project. Any good paint supplier will be happy to help you determine what’s best for your situation. Just remember, they’re salesmen as well as paint specialists so ask questions and don’t feel obligated to buy their most expensive brand/type of paint.

- Add some foliage to you living area. Don't let anyone fool you; growing indoor plants is easy if you buy the right ones for your situation. Indoor plants not only act as a quick decorating tool, they help clean the environment around them by helping to remove toxins from the air. We recommend hardy plants such as the Aloe Plant, Spider Plant, English Ivy, Rubber Tree, Snake Plant, Bamboo Palm and my personal favorite, the Peace Lily. Just remember, if you've got kids or pets, do a little research before making that purchase as some indoor plants can be toxic.