25 Ways To Improve Your Home If You're On A Serious Budget

After recently becoming a homeowner, I'm overwhelmed with projects that I'm just chomping at the bit to do!

There's one small problem, though — money, and the fact that it doesn't grow on trees.

Until I win the lottery, I have to do things on a budget, and these are just the ideas that I needed.

Unsplash | Tina Dawson

Take a look and see if any of these home improvement projects work with your budget.

1. Paint Your Tub And Tile

Variety by Vashti | Variety by Vashti

If you have an old, outdated tub and tile, you can use paint to give it a fresh upgrade.

After months of showering and bathing, this paint is still holding up!

Unsplash | Curology

This blogger used Rust-Oleum Cover Stain Primer/Sealer to paint over her ugly pink (yes, I said pink!) tub and tile.

2. Faux Shiplap Backsplash

All Things With Purpose | All Things With Purpose

After owning a home for a few short months, I've come to understand just how expensive wood is. I have wanted to do a shiplap wall for a while now, but can't fork out the money for the wood.

I'm gonna take a page from this blogger's book and use sticky floor tiles — this looks great!

All Things With Purpose | All Things With Purpose

Total Joanna Gaines style at a fraction of the price!

3. Dresser To Kitchen Island

Dear Creatives | Dear Creatives

If you don't have a ton of money to fork over for a fancy kitchen island, do what this blogger did!

Find an old dresser, and make it over to a new beautiful kitchen island. This is such a great idea — and since you're repurposing, you'll save money!

4. Budget-Friendly Entryway

Home RemediesRX | Home RemediesRX

This thrifty blogger has some great tips on how to decorate and design an entryway on a budget.

I think this looks wonderful! A lot of thrift shop finds here, and you'd never know!

5. Bathroom Vanity Makeover

One Good Thing | One Good Thing

Sometimes a fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference.

Rather than replace your old bathroom vanity, try giving it a new paint job.

It can't hurt — and paint is a lot cheaper than a whole new vanity!

One Good Thing | One Good Thing

You can also replace outdated drawer pulls with something a little more trendy.

6. DIY Shaker Doors

Jennifer Squires | Jennifer Squires

All the doors upstairs in my home need to be replaced, but I was a little bummed when I saw the price on a shaker door — and they're one of my favorites.

Isn't that nuts?

Flickr | Foxy Belle

Little did I know that I could overhaul the doors I already have at a fraction of the price of a brand new door.

7. Ceiling Fan Update

My DIY Projects | My DIY Projects

Ceiling fans are great, and I'm so glad that I have a couple in my home. What I don't like is the outdated look.

Once again, though, a little bit of paint comes to the rescue.

8. Pallet Wall

How To Build It | How To Build It

Sometimes an eye-catching accent wall can make all the difference, and using recycled pallets to make an accent wall is the cheapest way to go!

This one looks so good!

9. Concrete Countertop

Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body | Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body

This isn't the first time I've seen a concrete countertop tutorial, and it's supposed to be super inexpensive to do. I'll admit, I'm not brave enough to try this one yet.

Are you?

The end result looks really good, though!

Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body | Designer Trapped in a Lawyer's Body

It's great for those who love the industrial rustic look.

Love the little owl toothbrush holder, too!

10. Stair Makeover

DesignSponge | DesignSponge

A fresh coat of paint and a stair runner totally makes this old staircase look like new!

Makes me think I need to get a runner for my staircase. I love this look.

11. Painted Floor

Remington Avenue | Remington Avenue

Tired of your outdated linoleum floor? I hear you. Flooring is expensive!

You can give an old, outdated floor a brand new look with a bit of paint and a trendy stencil. This looks so much better!

12. Painted Sink

At Charlotte's House | At Charlotte's House

People sure did love colorful sinks and tubs way back when.

If you have an outdated sink, you can use a bit of paint and follow this tutorial to bring it into the current decade.

13. Fireplace Makeover

At Home In The Northwest | At Home In The Northwest

I'm not a big fan of brass finishes; they're just a little dated.

Luckily, you can get a special heat-resistant spray paint, and cover this up! 

At Home in the Northwest | At Home in the Northwest

This fireplace looks so sleek and trendy now. This is a great example of a quick and easy home improvement fix.

14. Light Fixture Upgrade

Grey House Harbor | Grey House Harbor

Go from builder basic to super trendy without having to spend a ton of money.

Repurpose a light shade to overhaul a boring light fixture!

15. Fixtures Upgrade

Bless'er House | Bless'er House

New pretty or trendy fixtures can cost you a small fortune, but a little bit of spray paint can go a long way in sprucing up your old ones.

This isn't even hard to do!

16. Chair Makeover

A Pinterest Addict | A Pinterest Addict

If you're a little strapped for cash but want new looking furniture, just upgrade your old pieces.

You can get paint that is specially made just for fabric. Just look at this beauty.

17. Painted Door Knobs

Thrifty Decor Chick | Thrifty Decor Chick

Just as you can spray paint your fixtures, you can also spray paint your outdated door knobs.

The brass is out, and you don't have to spend a fortune to get rid of it!

18. Easy Lamp Upgrade

Design Meet Style | Design Meet Style

It's the little touches that truly make a home beautiful. Something as small as painting the inside of your lamp shade with a bit of gold paint can add just a touch of luxury to your home.

19. Cheap DIY Curtain Rods

7 Layer Studio | 7 Layer Studio

Curtain rods can be really pricey, especially the fancy ones for large bay windows.

You can make your own custom-fitted curtain rod using PVC pipe.

20. Banister Transformation

Creations by Kara | Creations by Kara

If you have a large staircase in your home, but it's a little dated, don't fret about having to replace the whole thing for something a little more modern.

You can transform the one you already have by using a trendy shade of stain.

Unsplash | Wes Hicks

Go ahead and try it!

What's the worst that can happen?

21. Makeover Your Mailbox

Don't Disturb This Groove | Don't Disturb This Groove

If your mailbox is looking a little neglected, there is a quick and easy fix.

All you need to do is give it a fresh coat of paint.

22. Frame A Mirror

My Cottage Charm | My Cottage Charm

By using molding to frame this mirror, these homeowners have totally made their bathroom look so much better.

Molding doesn't cost a lot, either, so this upgrade won't cost a ton.

23. Cabinet Upgrade

Pinterest | sublime-decor.com

Add a corbel to the end of your back splash to create a more polished look for the kitchen.

You can get a wooden corbel from any home improvement store.

Unsplash | Le Creuset

Paint it whatever color matches your kitchen cabinets.

24. Get Plinth Blocks

The Handyman's Daughter | The Handyman's Daughter

I didn't know about this, but it is definitely something that I will be doing!

This square piece is called a plinth block, and you can add one to your door trim for a more finished look.

25. Build A Board And Batten Wall

By The Stand | By The Stand

This is my own little inexpensive home improvement DIY.

All it cost me was $17, and it totally transformed my entryway!

You're definitely gonna want to remember these great projects!

Diply | Diply

Make sure you pin this image to your home improvement board, so you can reference this list later on!

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