GInstitute Home Improvement and Remodelling

At the height of any real estate market sale, you might stumble upon some cheap property that you thought was your dream home, but is far from picture perfect. No landscaping, a bit run-down, a sad-looking Charlie Brown tree in the front yard, but with tons of character in that small space called a house.

Mix high and low

You can mingle inexpensive furniture with high-end materials and furniture. For instance, use plumbing pipes for hanging expensive ikea curtains; place custom pillows atop a bargain couch; an antique coffee table on an old oriental rug.

Repaint secondhand furnishings

Recoat or repaint old framed mirrors, chairs, coffee tables, etc.

Search thrift stores

You can find great oil paintings and furniture at thrift stores for under 5 bucks.

Create multi-purpose areas

With no proper dining room, a breakfast or kitchen table can functions as such, and also doubles as an art or work table for dad and the kids. You can add the vinyl cushions for comfort and décor. Kitchen or living room benches provide storage space under their hinged lids. You can even wallpaper the walls with bold colors so they clash with your furniture or tables.

Repurpose furniture

For instance, an old candy making table or an old serving tray can serve as a mobile kitchen island.

Create attractive storage space

A tray atop a narrow storage cabinet can hold ingredients for cocktails. Other ideas include using peg boards for the kitchen, in the work area, or as a headboard.

Mix art

A mix of inexpensive art like old paintings, sculptures, and even old fire hydrants can be complemented with inexpensive colored wallpaper.

Use wallpaper as artwork

In small spaces or bedrooms, playful wallpaper can grace a single wall such as children’s animal wallpaper.

Be bold with color

Bright colors actually make small spaces or bedrooms look bigger.

Shop salvage

You can shop around from second-hand stores or garage sales for items you can salvage and convert. For instance, you can turn an old garage complete with windows and door into a guesthouse.

Reinvent materials

Split or broken concrete from a former backyard parking strip can become your semi-paved pathway to your door or in your backyard. You can do the same with broken vinyl, tiles, stones, and shale.

Artful reuse or recycling of metal and other materials

A side yard gate or backyard fence can be built from salvaged metal. Or a discarded syrup barrel becomes a rain water harvester.