Look around your home. Really look. Does it feel dated?
Especially if you live in a home for a few years, it’s easy to get used to the old look. The backdrop becomes so familiar that we almost don’t even see it. But then you invite a new friend over and started examining your home from an outsider’s perspective. Or maybe you go to their house and start comparing it to your own. You realize your own home could use some updating.
But you don’t want to spend an arm and a leg doing it.
Well, there’s some good news!
You can upgrade your home without spending a fortune. Sometimes, it’s the little things that make the most significant impact.
Here are 9 ways to modernize your home without breaking the bank.
- Declutter
Nothing will make a home feel cluttered more than excessive décor. Today, most modern homes are extremely minimalist with very few (yet very intentional) décor pieces.
This is honestly the cheapest and easiest way to modernize your home without spending much money at all. Go through your entire home and find things to sell or donate.
And if the décor you have left is dated, you can use the proceeds from your sale to buy more modern frames and other décor items.
- Add plant life
Flip through the pages of any modern décor magazine, and you’ll notice a lot greenery. Contemporary homes are very plant focused. This is a good thing because plants can also improve the air quality and help you breathe easier.
But if you don’t have a green thumb, don’t worry. You can always fill your home with natural-looking artificial plants or real succulents that are easier to care for.
- Update light fixtures
Trends change in lighting too, so if you’re left with a super ornate light fixture, it may be time for an upgrade. Choose something that’s sleek and geometrically-shaped for a new effect.
Light fixtures aren’t always the first thing you notice in a room, but you’d be surprised at how much this can impact the overall vibe.
- Replace your windows
If you have old windows that are showing signs of wear, your entire house will benefit from replacement. Not only will they look more modern, but you’ll also save on energy costs when you add new windows to your home.
- Change cabinet hardware
If you don’t have the budget to refinish your cabinets yet, you can give them a quick facelift with new, modern hardware. This is such a simple and inexpensive trick to updating your kitchen. Naturally, it has the best effect if your cabinets are still in good shape. But if that’s the case, you could create the illusion that you got all new cabinets just by replacing the hardware.
- Add a pop of color
Most modern homes rely heavily on a clean, white backdrop, but you can mix things up and give your home more visual interest by adding a bold color to an accent wall.
Modern may be minimalist, but it doesn’t mean boring. So, go ahead and have some fun.
- Repaint your front door
If you want to upgrade your home’s curb appeal, paint your front door in a bold color. Just make sure it coordinates with the rest of your home. You probably don’t want to add a bold color if the rest of your home is pastel. Play around with different color swatches to see what works best for you. Red, yellow, blue and green are popular choices. But again, think about whether any of these colors coordinate with the rest of your home’s exterior.
- Upgrade bathroom and kitchen fixtures
Maybe you can’t afford an entirely new bathroom right now, but you can give your kitchen and bath a much-needed upgrade by changing the faucets and shower head.
When fixtures like these get old, not only do they look dated, but they also collect dirt and give your sinks and tubs a gross feel. By choosing new, modern fixtures for your bathroom and kitchen, you’ll instantly give the room a makeover.
- Add mirrors
In addition to plant life, mirrors are probably the quickest and easiest way to give your home a fresh, modern vibe. Mirrors will open up your space and make it feel larger, almost as if by magic.
Just be sure to steer clear of anything too ornate or oversized. Mirrors can either upgrade your room or give it a more dated feeling, depending on the style.
With a quick trip to your home improvement store and a few hundred to a few thousand dollars, you can really make an impact on the look and feel of your home. For inspiration, check out a few modern décor magazines or browse Pinterest. Once you find the styles you like, simply recreate that in your own home.