Updating the look and feel of your home can not only bring some rejuvenation to the space but may also unlock some potential value of the property. We know that big home repair and renovation projects can cost you a fortune but don’t forget that even small changes can give you a fresh sense of renewal.
Check out some of our low-budget, beginner-friendly DIY home improvement suggestions. And remember, if the costs are a little higher than expected, our Home Improvement loans can give you the upfront cash to get started – what are you waiting for?
Refresh with new paint
A fresh lick of paint is arguably the most effective way to spruce up your place and one of the most common DIY home improvement projects.
Start small with kitchen or bathroom cabinets, the front door is also a good option to experiment on before committing yourself to a bigger project. If you’re confident and feel up to it, move on to painting the walls, and for the ultimate change, the exterior of the house.
Proper surface preparation is crucial with DIY painting jobs. Sanding and priming are key steps that come before the actual painting, especially with cracked, flaky, or uneven surfaces. Don’t forget to fill any gaps or holes as well as to cover up the floor, light switches, and furniture for indoor painting.
DIY Storage
Sometimes all it takes for an improved interior is to change the way you store things. Obviously, the best way to organise any home is to declutter regularly, so the space feels bigger and has more room to ‘breathe’. One in, one out is always a good policy.
If you have some extra storage space, consider switching-out your wardrobe every season so that winter clothes are stored away during summer and vice versa. Vacuum storage bags are a great way to not only save space but also keep the clothes from becoming musty.
For those of us that don’t have the luxury of surplus storage space, there are plenty of creative ways to store your essentials. Think wall mount racks, hooks, and trays to help tuck things away in a tidy manner.
Create a productive home office
With many workplaces becoming more flexible and allowing employees to work from home, creating a dedicated home office space to separate your ‘workspace’ from your ‘home space’ would be a good DIY home improvement. Working from a laptop on your dining table everyday can get a little tiring and is not good for your wellbeing!
The first step is to upgrade your lighting. This is particularly important if the space you chose does not get a lot of natural light. Bright circadian lighting to mimic the sunlight promote your body’s natural sleep and wake cycle and help with work-from-home productivity.
Then it’s time to invest in an office chair to alleviate any discomfort when working on your computer all day. You could even look at investing in a sit-stand desk, allowing a varied work environment and giving your body a break from sitting all day.
Quick savings tips:
Take a look at your home to decide which items can be repurposed, decide what you need to purchase, and keep things as simple as possible. If you're starting from scratch, there are some low-cost options. Visit your local second-hand shop; you’ll be amazed by what you might find!
Install tech to add value
The ‘Smarthome’ has gone from being a niche concept to becoming a common idea in newer homes. It may be unrealistic to turn yours into a ‘full’ smart home, but there are some easy and affordable DIY home improvement options that will give you a taste of what’s to come in the future.
Some quick and easy ideas for added tech items could be:
- Smart TVs – hello, Netflix and YouTube at the click of a button
- Smart appliances such as dishwashers, washing machines and fridges
- Smart Soundbars and speakers that sync across multiple rooms throughout your house
Smart plugs are one of the simplest and most affordable ways to automate your home. They allow you to monitor your energy usage and set schedules, so that you can be more energy conscious and ultimately save money.
Smart lighting is another way to start your smart home journey. There are a wide range of bulbs and lamps in the market, all are easy to install and able to be integrated with pre-existing voice assistant technologies like Alexa or Google Assistant. Bed-side lamps will be things of the past, and you won’t have to leave your bed to turn off the lights!
Home security cameras have also come a long way in terms of the quality of footage and motion tracking. With built-in spotlights and alarms, they add a strong layer of security to your home, which adds some significant value to your home as well as provides you with peace of mind.
Tackle your outdoor space
Kiwis love entertaining guests outdoors, especially during summer. But you don’t need to have a pool or heaps of cash to build a great outdoor area. Now’s the time to start designing and building a space in time for those outdoor barbeques.
A few ideas we love for easily improving you outdoor area are:
- A fire pit or brazier
- A comfy outdoor lounge suite
- An umbrella or shaded area to relax under
Depending on your dream space, the Instant finance team can help you with a home improvement loan to support and cover the cost of your renovation project.
DIY Home renovation loan options
Want to invest in some furniture for your new home office? Are you planning a home renovation but don't have the funds to start? You can use our home renovation loan option for various purposes, whether a standard DIY job, a small renovation, or a large project. Talk to us about our home renovation loan options; we work to get your loan quickly, so you’ll be able to get your project underway as soon as possible!
Now that you've made your home smarter, tidier, and more aesthetically pleasing - it's time to start setting aside money for Christmas! Read these tips on maximising your Christmas savings.