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DIY fire pit was about $50 worth of retaining wall blocks, also completely worth it.
Upgraded the dishwasher to a Bosch 800 series with crystaldry. It gets your dishes dry like a dishwasher from the 80s but without the heating coil that melts your plastic stuff. That thing is some sort of German black magic.
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To learn more about home improvement projects that won't break the bank, we got in touch with Krayton M. Davis, Executive Principle at Let’s Renovate. Krayton was kind enough to have a chat with Bored Panda and recommend some budget-friendly projects that can make a huge difference in your home.
"Some affordable or easy home improvement projects that are definitely worth the money and effort include repainting rooms to give them a fresh, new look, installing energy-efficient lighting fixtures to save on electricity bills, and updating cabinet hardware to enhance the kitchen and bathroom look," he shared.
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"Investing in organizational systems to declutter your home is worthwhile, especially when it comes to the convenience of quickly locating items," Krayton continued. "Another impactful yet simple project is improving curb appeal through landscaping— planting flowers, trimming hedges, or painting the front door can significantly enhance a home's exterior charm."
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On the other hand, we asked the home improvement expert if there were any popular projects that he would not recommend. "While home theaters can be an exciting project, they might not necessarily be worth the hefty investment - unless you are a dedicated movie-watcher," he noted. "The cost of high-end audio-visual equipment, specialized seating, and soundproofing can quickly add up without a corresponding increase in property value."
"Similarly, extensive luxury bathroom remodels with high-end materials and features such as saunas or whirlpool tubs may not yield a significant return on investment, especially if these additions do not appeal to the broader pool of potential home buyers," Krayton added.
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So what advice would the renovation expert give to new homeowners who want to start sprucing up their houses? "Begin with straightforward tasks that provide maximum impact with minimal complexity. Painting walls, replacing light fixtures, or adding new cabinet hardware are excellent do-it-yourself projects that can significantly refresh your space," Krayton told Bored Panda.
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"Additionally, taking on simple landscaping jobs, like planting flowers or creating garden beds, can elevate the appeal of your home's exterior," Krayton says.
"However, for more complicated tasks, it's advisable to seek professional assistance to ensure safety and quality outcomes by adhering to building codes," he noted. "Electrical work, major plumbing renovations, and large-scale structural changes are best left to experts with the requisite skills and experience."
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Bought a used projector on ebay, a screen at my local Amazon return warehouse, and a home theater sound system assembled from goodwill purchases and I have an outdoor movie theater setup in my garage
Krayton also noted that it's crucial for homeowners to prioritize projects based on their lifestyle needs and future plans. "Consider how long you plan to stay in the home and tailor improvements accordingly; short-term residents might focus more on aesthetic updates or essential repairs, while those settling in for the long haul may choose to invest in comprehensive upgrades," he shared.
"Additionally, keeping an eye on current design trends and the local real estate market can help guide decisions on which improvements will add the most value to your home."
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$10 red motion activated night lights for the bathrooms. Nice for midnight infant diaper changes and brushing teeth before the sun is up in the morning when the overhead light is just too much.
Shelving and hang drying racks in the laundry room. ~$100.
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Replacing the knobs and hinges on our doors from the original (80s) brass, peeling knobs to more modern black matte. Probably another $400. Definitely a good band-aid until we get around to refinishing the doors themselves!
Paid a handyman to replace a faucet, probably $300, and it solved the leak and aesthetic problem immediately (obviously). Found the guy from an ad on the side of his van at his full time job at an Ace Hardware.
Replace ALL of your bulbs. It is INSANE how much of a difference brighter bulbs made in our house. Pro tip, LED lights run at lower wattages, so you can go up to a higher wattage equivalent/higher lumen safely.