Living in the mountains is a dream for many homeowners. However, even if your location is perfect, there may still be things that you want to change about your home. Thankfully, there are easy cheap ways to update your home without breaking your budget. Improvements like this can help you create the perfect mountain home that you’ll look forward to spending decades in.
To help give you a better idea of the best easy, cheap ways to update your home, here are six improvements that you should keep in mind.
1. Kitchen Remodeling
The great thing about kitchen remodeling is that it can be as large or as small as you need. For instance, you can replace your old countertops with engineered quartz countertops and maybe some additional minor updates, or you can work with professional kitchen remodelers to completely overhaul the layout.
Because kitchen remodeling is so varied, it is included in the best easy cheap ways to update your home, due to the fact you can tailor the job based on how much you want to spend. For instance, replacing your cabinets could cost more than refurbishing your old ones, but if you don’t like the style, it may be worth putting money towards replacing them with something you like more.
If you are unsatisfied with your current kitchen, there are some things to work with a contractor to fix, whether major or minor. For example, if your current kitchen doesn’t support a conducive flow of activities, and makes cooking feel like a tedious chore, you may consider design options that help solve this problem. Adding extra storage space so that your counters aren’t cluttered, adding an island to increase workspace, or updating old clunky appliances are all things that you can consider.
Similarly, even an aesthetic overhaul, such as new flooring, new counters, new cabinets, new paint, and a new backsplash can help breathe life into any dull, outdated kitchen. Fixes like this can be done all at once, or they can be completed over a period of time based on what you want improved upon now. When looking for easy cheap ways to update your home, kitchen remodeling is one option that gives you a lot of room to work with.
2. Windows and Doors
Another one of the easy cheap ways to update your home includes replacing your doors and windows. Many window and door companies offer discount deals if you choose to replace multiple fixtures, which can help you get the most bang for your buck.
Replacing old windows and doors can help not only improve the look of your home but can also help keep cooling and heating costs down. Old windows and doors are one of the leading causes of energy loss, and because of this, they can cause your home to feel uncomfortable and force your HVAC system to work overtime. If not fixed, during the hot summer months you can have trouble keeping your home cool, and it could even lead to you needing to hire an air conditioning service to repair your overworked AC system. During the winter, the same is true when it comes to your furnace.
Additionally, when living in a mountain home, windows can completely transform your space and provide you with incredible views. Windows that allow for ample amounts of natural light while providing stunning views of the mountains is one of the greatest appeals of mountain home living. If your current windows aren’t providing this, it may be worth upgrading them to truly take your home to the next level.
3. Bathroom Remodeling
Old, outdated bathrooms can make for a space that you don’t like spending time in. However, bathrooms can provide a great place to unwind in the bath after a long workday, and it’s likely you’ll spend a lot of time in them while getting ready to start the day. By improving your current bathroom, you can help create a more inviting and comfortable space that you won’t want to rush to get out of.
Similar to kitchen remodels, bathroom remodeling offers a lot of options that can be both simple and extensive depending on what you want and need. For instance, if you have a dreaded carpeted bathroom floor, replacing it with a nice tile can completely transform the feeling of the room. A bathtub replacement or shower replacement can also improve the look and feel of your bathroom, and give you a place that you’ll enjoy after a long day.
Along with remodeling your bathroom, you may also want to consider water heater repair or replacement if your current water heater isn’t working as well as it should. For example, if you run out of hot water too quickly, or if you are experiencing a lot of temperature fluctuations. A tankless water heater can be something to consider and it can provide a consistent flow of heated water without the worry of running out when you need it most.
When considering how your bathroom can be improved, think about the things that you’d like to get out of it. For instance, if you want to be able to relax in the bath but your current tub is uncomfortable or too small, that may be something to focus on. Similarly, if you share the bathroom with a spouse, increasing counter space or adding an extra sink can make it washier for the both of you to get ready in the mornings at the same time.
Work with a contractor to come up with the best plan for your bathroom, and even if you don’t cover everything at once, even small changes can help make the space feel more comfortable.
4. Rejuvenate Your Garage
Other easy cheap ways to update your home includes giving your garage a makeover. Although many people tend to use their garages for extra storage, these spaces can have much more potential.
If you still need to use this space for some storage, you can consider adding cabinets or vertical shelves to help keep the clutter off of the ground. Not only can this make it easier to keep track of what you have, but it can also keep everything in good condition. Before utilizing this organizational system, you should go through everything and sort through the things you want to keep. A junk hauling service can help you get rid of the things you no longer need, some of which you may not even realize you still have!
Garages can also function as offices, game rooms, workshops, and playrooms if you don’t have space inside your home for these fixtures. With the right bit of remodeling, this can help add extra living space to your home.
Similarly, this space can also be transformed into a great space for entertaining, and some people even add televisions and couches to their garages to create a great space to hang out with friends or family. By adding an entertainment space in your garage, you also have the opportunity to experience the comforts of the indoors, with the fresh air of the outdoors. Feel free to open the garage door and let in some sun while you kick back and enjoy your favorite sports game on the big screen.
Speaking of garage doors, a new garage door is also an easy way to update your space, and some even come with smart technology. Old garage doors can be easy access points for burglars, and the codes to them can easily be hacked. However, newer doors have codes that constantly change every time they are opened and closed, making it harder for would-be thieves to nail down. Additionally, some even allow you to open them with your smartphone or monitor when they are opened and closed. You can also keep track of the temperature inside the garage at any time.
5. Replace Your Roofing
Another way that you can update your home includes replacing your current roof with a longer-lasting material. While this may not always be easy and cheap upfront if you invest in a long-lasting material — such as metal or slate — you can reduce the future costs of replacement and repair. Metal roofing can last between 40 and 60 years, sometimes lasting even longer depending on the type of metal, and slate tiles are rated to last over 100 years. In contrast, asphalt shingles are only rated to last around 20 years. Although these materials can be more expensive up front, because you won’t have to replace them in the near future, you can help yourself save money in the future.
Replacing your roofing can also help if you live in a fire-prone area. Metal roofing can help prevent stray embers from igniting your home, and it can help keep you protected during wildfire season. When coupled with siding that is resistant to combustion, this improvement can be extremely important.
Additionally, replacing your roof can also transform the appearance of the exterior of your home. This can boost curb appeal and make your home stand out from the others in your neighborhood.
A roofing service can help you decide which material is best for you, depending on your needs and your budget. They may also be able to conduct an inspection that can help you identify any problem areas that your current roof may have.
6. Landscaping
Speaking of fixing up the outside of your home, improving your landscaping can be one of the best easy cheap ways to update your home. This improvement can also be tailored depending on what you want, your budget, and the space you have to work in. Even something as simple as planting flowers around your home can help improve the appearance and add eye-catching pops of color.
You could also consider hiring a landscaping service to professionally fix your exterior by adding various plants and hardscaping fixtures. Replacing old walkways with new stone or concrete can help improve your outdoor space.
Similarly, if you have dead or dying trees on your property, you should consider hiring tree arborists to remove them. Dead, dying, or otherwise weakened trees can be a hazard during storms and high winds, and if they are close to your home they may even cause significant damage if they fall.
If you’re uncertain if a tree is a hazard, a tree arborist will be able to inspect it and diagnose any problems. Some diseases can be difficult to detect if you don’t know what to look for, and some seemingly healthy trees can have issues that you may never detect until they fall or crack.
If you’re looking for one of the best easy cheap ways to update your home, consider looking outside to see what improvements you would like to see.
Getting the Most Out of Your Mountain Home
Mountain living is something that many homeowners seek, and if you are fortunate enough to have a mountain home, count yourself lucky. However, even if your location is amazing, you may still have things in and around your home that you’d like to fix. Fortunately, there are numerous easy cheap ways to update your home, and these are only six of many.
Take some time to think seriously about how you would like to improve your home, and maybe create a list of the ‘must-haves’ that you would like to have done first. For example, if you’d like to replace your kitchen countertops, put them near the top of your list while saving things that you want, but maybe don’t immediately need, for further down. By doing this, you can help identify the best updates that you can make to your home, without risking going over your budget.
