How to renovate your home on a budget, by Cherie Barber

Think your hip pocket isn’t deep enough to afford the home of your dreams? Think again.

According to Australian renovation expert, Cherie Barber, there are some simple tricks you can use to make your property look a million dollars – without the hefty price tag.

Cherie, who blogs at Renovating for Profit – has shared her top 10 tips for renovating on a budget with FEMAIL – and you might be surprised what a difference small changes can make. 

Renovation expert Cherie Barber (pictured) shared her top 10 tips for renovating on a budget

‘If you’re lucky enough to have real floorboards in good condition, have them sanded and polished in high gloss,’ Cherie said

Start cheap

Cherie, who performs home makeovers on the Channel Ten show The Living Room, says first up, it’s important to find the cheapest ways to deliver maximum impact.

‘Internally a fresh coat of paint in a neutral but modern colour scheme always works wonders,’ she said.

‘It hides all the scuff marks and tired colours that let a place down. Paint the woodwork in a white high-gloss to make the place sparkle.’ 

Cherie said that, first up, it's important to find the cheapest ways to deliver maximum impact

Cherie said that, first up, it’s important to find the cheapest ways to deliver maximum impact

'Internally a fresh coat of paint in a neutral but modern colour scheme always works wonders,' she said

‘Internally a fresh coat of paint in a neutral but modern colour scheme always works wonders,’ she said

Worn out carpets need to go

‘If you’re lucky enough to have real floorboards in good condition, have them sanded and polished in high gloss,’ Cherie said. 

‘Otherwise consider low-cost laminate flooring. You can do a whole house for AUD $2000 to $3000 if you shop around.’ 

Think about windows

According to the expert, investing in smart micro-venetians – which can be picked up at large hardware stores for around AUD $50 each – is a savvy move when it comes to transforming your home.

Buying off-the-shelf is always cheaper than going for custom-made. 

According to the expert, investing in smart micro-venetians – which can be picked up at large hardware stores for around AUD $50 each – is a savvy move when it comes to transforming your home

Light right

‘Lighting makes a huge difference to a place and can be purchased very cheaply these days from places like Bunning and IKEA,’ Cherie said.

‘Halogen downlights, for example, can be supplied and installed for about $40 per light – and feature lights add that bit of wow factor.’

‘Lighting makes a huge difference to a place and can be purchased very cheaply these days from places like Bunning and IKEA,’ Cherie said

Kitchen and bathroom renovations will add value

Cherie advised that refreshing the kitchen and bathroom is a good idea if you want to see financial results and there are products to help, even if your budget is tight.

‘White Knight Tile & Laminate Paint goes straight over the top of your old tiles and laminate cupboards,’ she said.

She added that the Rust-Oleum Countertop Transformations kit, which can be purchased for around $200, ‘contains everything you need to give your old laminate benchtop a granite look’.

Bulk and scale for a superior look

‘Thin little skirtings and architraves look cheap, so replace them with a wide profile – the plainer the better, Cherie said, adding that less decorative versions are easier to paint too.

Cherie is a home renovation expert an performs home makeovers on the Channel Ten show The Living Room

Cherie is a home renovation expert an performs home makeovers on the Channel Ten show The Living Room

Cherie advised that refreshing the kitchen and bathroom is a good idea if you want to see financial results and there are products to help, even if your budget is tight

Cherie said that first impressions count and it's important to think about street appeal when it comes to renovating your home

Cherie said that first impressions count and it’s important to think about street appeal when it comes to renovating your home

Venture outside

‘You want to create good first impressions,’ Cherie advised. ‘And that starts with street appeal. Mow the lawns, cut back unruly trees and rampant foliage and just generally make the front garden look neat and tidy.’

Tender to the render

Cherie advised that it’s important to make sure the exterior of your property is looking slick too.

But if you’re not keen on getting it repainted, there’s a textured render called Rockcote that can be tinted to thousands of colours and be an affordable solution if you want to smarten up a dated exterior.

Move that hills hoist

If you have a washing line in the middle of your backyard, now is the time to move it, according to the expert.

‘Think about moving it to a discreet spot so you can make better use of the yard,’ Cherie said.

‘Mow the lawns, cut back unruly trees and rampant foliage and just generally make the front garden look neat and tidy,’ Cherie advised

A deck for less?

‘A deck can be cheaply constructed and  often doesn’t need council approval, depending on the size,’ Cherie said. 

‘It adds great value to a property, especially if you can create an easy flow between indoors and the deck.

‘Convert a window to a door that opens on to the deck – and voila you’ve just added an outside entertaining area.’ 

For more of Cherie’s tips visit Renovating for Profit here 

 

  

  

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