7 Home Improvement Ideas to Try While Dealing With Renovation Delays
When a pending renovation project is out of your control, take your home improvement into your own hands with these expert tips.
Prices are up across the board—from groceries to housing, we’re all feeling the impact of increased costs in our daily life. With the added burden of booming interest rates and housing prices, more homeowners are choosing to renovate their existing homes over buying new ones. Even still, according to a recent survey by Discover Home Loans, nearly 75% of homeowners surveyed have found renovations to be more expensive than they expected.
The survey also reveals that 59% of respondents chose to postpone their home improvement projects in the face of increased costs, and 26% said they cut out part of their projects due to inflation.
If you’ve found yourself in the same situation, with a dream home improvement project on pause, don’t fret—designers and home improvement experts have the scoop on how homeowners can make their home feel more livable without a major renovation. Here are seven home improvement ideas to spruce up your space while dealing with renovation delays.
Related: These Are the 10 Most Expensive Home Renovation Projects Right Now
Declutter, organize, and reevaluate
So your dream renovation is getting delayed, and you’re getting frustrated—you might have the urge to upgrade your home in some way while you wait it out. Before you spiral into despair, take some time to truly declutter and organize your space.
“Clear out the clutter, purge unnecessary stuff, and remove anything that shouldn’t be in the space you are considering remodeling,” says Molly McGinness, owner and principal designer of Molly McGinness Interior Design.
Then take a step back and reflect on why you planned the renovation in the first place—was it about functionality, or does did it really have to do with aesthetics? Either way, there are probably some minor changes you can make to help the space feel more livable as you wait for the big renovation to take place.
“The reason I like clients to clear out clutter is because it often is an exercise for them to rethink what they have and evaluate the space with clear thought,” McGinness says.
Prioritize essential repairs
If the big kitchen renovation you’ve always dreamed of is looking further and further out of reach, it’s probably best to wait on it, and ensure you have the funds set aside for essential repairs as they come up (because we all know they do). The last thing you want is to pay for a big renovation you can’t really afford and then be surprised by your washing machine breaking or your roof leaking when money is already feeling tight.
If you’re still itching to upgrade something around the house despite delays, focus on the smaller repairs that'll make a big impact in the long run. Fixing your home's outdated plumbing, replacing your old water heater, or addressing your eavestroughs that weren’t quite done properly the last time are great places to start.
Focus on simple, cosmetic changes
Big renovations are exciting, but completely transforming a space using simple cosmetic upgrades can be just as satisfying. McGinness suggests replacing light fixtures, changing the hardware on your cabinets and doors, replacing your window treatments, or switching out your curtain rods and towel bars. These improvements might sound small, but together they can make a huge impact and completely change the look and feel of a room. If you’re looking for something a little bolder, consider using peel and stick wallpaper, floor tile, or backsplashes.
Related: 14 Low-Cost Updates That Add Value to Your Home
Switch Up Your Decor
Give a tired space an instant refresh by changing up your decor. Consider replacing mirrors, artwork, accessories, table lamps, wall hangings, and more. Adding some greenery like houseplants or fresh flowers is also a great way to bring some new life to a room. Even if new home decor isn’t in the budget, there's no need to worry worry—decor swaps are a great way to change up your space without spending a dime (and anyone can do it).
Add a Fresh Coat of Paint
Don’t underestimate the power of a fresh coat of paint, says Matt Stone of Oklahoma-based Hometown Painting LLC. You can transform a space with a new paint job, and the best part is that it’s easy to do yourself and affordable.
“Even easier than painting a whole room is to create an accent wall," Stone says. "You can use paint or even wallpaper to create an interesting focal point that takes the attention off of the areas you can’t change." If you’re feeling really creative, consider adding a DIY painted mural, painting your trim and doors a funky color, or even giving your ceiling a fun pop of color.
Consider a DIY Job
Save yourself some serious cash and consider taking on portions of the renovation as DIY jobs. Sure, you’ll be investing some serious time and effort, but you'll probably save money on labor costs in the long run. There are plenty of tutorials available online for pretty much any home renovation project under the sun, and most materials are readily available at your local hardware store. However, due to safety concerns, keep in mind that there are certain projects (think electrical work and structural reconstruction) that are best left to the experts.
Related: 8 Easy Builder-Grade Home Upgrades You Can Do Yourself
Be Open to Budget Options
If the original plan for the renovation is suddenly looking like it won’t be possible due to costs, but you’re not open to postponing it, be open to reevaluating the plan.
“You can probably meet the original goals within a realistic budget by reconsidering materials, wallcovering, lighting, appliances, cabinetry, and even windows,” McGinness says.
Consider swapping for lookalike alternatives that are more affordable like engineered hardwood versus solid wood floors, scale back on premium materials (try crafting a shiplap accent wall rather than covering the whole room), or shop around from different brands.
“There are all kinds of ways to value engineer a renovation and achieve the results you want if you are willing to learn about the products and material options presented to you,” McGinness says.
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