5 Ways to Spruce Up Your New Home Quickly & Affordably

Today’s properties don’t have to be 100% perfect in order to attract buyers. In fact, demand for ‘fixer-uppers’ is rising rapidly in the UK. It’s reported that around 80% of buyers are actively looking for unmodernised homes – those that need a little extra love and attention – which they can make their own.

It can take months to fully assess the true renovation potential of a fixer-upper. There’s no point rushing into making big changes without having considered all possible options. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few simpler changes that can be made, to help give an old or outdated home a quick refresh and a bit of oomph… and these changes don’t have to break the bank.

Here are 5 of the quickest, easiest, and most affordable ways to instantly transform your fixer-upper:

1. Easy Kitchen Upgrades

Kitchens have evolved from being just somewhere to cook, to being the very heart of the home, so this is a natural starting point. And while you may not be quite ready to completely redesign the space, it is possible to put your own spin on things with some smaller upgrades. For example, rather than ripping out the units, you could install some replacement made-to-measure kitchen doors for a rapid transformation. Swapping out lighting, adding new countertop appliances, and replacing old shelves are some other great ideas.

2. Do a Deep Clean

It’s been reported that buyers can save as much as 50% of the average property price for a local area by choosing a home in need of renovations. This can leave you with some extra financial resources for upgrading your property. But the truth is that, at first, it’s entirely possible to spruce up your space without spending much at all. How? By spending a bit of time doing a deep clean, removing any old marks or stains, cleaning windows, and using vacuum extension tools to get into all those overlooked, hard-to-reach areas. All you need are some cheap yet effective everyday cleaning supplies.

3. Garden Tweaks

Your outdoor spaces are just as important as your indoor spaces when it comes to creating a beautiful home, so don’t forget to focus at least some of your efforts on your garden. If your new garden isn’t quite as natural and welcoming as you’d like it to be, there are a number of cheap and cheerful ways to give it a new lease of life without resorting to landscaping works. Adding a bit of thriving greenery can make any garden instantly appear more alive, while a few inexpensive ornaments can give a touch of personality and character. And sometimes, all you need is a good mower and some shears!

4. Affordable Bathroom Changes

According to the HomeOwners Association, the average cost of a new bathroom is upwards of £6000. If you’re not ready to invest that sort of money after the expense of purchasing a property and moving house, there are some more affordable ways to create a more modern space. Investing in a new toilet or basin can be a great start, although you may be able to get away with even smaller changes, like adding in new soap dispensers, toothbrush holders, caddies, and storage jars. Adding more storage space – shelves and towel rails, for example – can also help to reduce clutter.

5. A Lick of Paint

Finally, don’t underestimate the power of paint. Painting your walls in a similar colour to what was there previously can really help your space to appear fresher, crisper, and cleaner. Using a completely different hue can massively transform any room if you’re looking to make a bigger impact. And don’t forget that some types of wallpaper, tiles, and flooring lend themselves very well to a coat of paint. This can reduce the urgency of bigger, more costly, more disruptive, and more time-consuming DIY projects, such as adding new wallpaper, tiles, and flooring. Low VOC paint makes it eco-friendly, too!