Low-Cost, High Impact Projects that drastically change a room

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In this article I’m going to talk about some relatively affordable solutions for many modern-day eye sores in our home, or simply outdated features/fixtures. To be clear, when I say high impact, I don’t mean things that will necessarily increase value, I am talking about things that make a significant visual change or alter the ambience of a room at low cost. For information on projects that increase home value, check out my article on this (https://ajtpropertiesboston.com/ways-to-add-value-to-your-home/).

Light Fixtures. Let’s admit it, those hideous standing lights, though they get the job done, often take up space and can give a cluttered feel to a room. A terrific alternative to this is the addition of recessed, LED lighting. These little disc like light fixture hardly take up any space in your ceiling (contrary to outdated, canned recessed lights) and can be very easy to install. A properly sized hole saw and the necessary wiring in place (you may have to see an electrician for this) and these things will pop right into your ceiling, leaving a sleek, ergonomic look in whichever space you decide to put them in. Many manufactures of these lights also make them compatible with a dimming switch, giving you the ability to dim as they are very bright.

Fresh Paint. You would be surprised how much curb appeal a fresh coat of paint can give to a home. It can truly light up a room and provide a more financially appealing solution to outdated looking cabinets, doorways, and windowsills. Fresh paint will also conceal common stains on household walls, such as areas over the stove where cooking fumes can discolor the current paint. This is also a great time to fix patches in the wall (which is also very easy with a little bit of compound and a putting knife) because the new paint will conceal imperfections in the wall from sealing holes/dents with compound.

Floors Galore. This is a big one but often overlooked one. New floors will change the feel of a room drastically. If you have existing wood floors, a simple restoration of them would make an enormous difference in the look of the room. If you decide to replace old floor, Luxury Vinyl Planks (LVP) provide a cheap, durable, and cosmetically pleasing alternative to expensive floor tile. If you do decide to go with LVP, it’s worth noting that each tile “clicks” with another, making the install relatively easy. There are many options for flooring, it’s just about choosing what works for you.  

There are many more things you could address to change the look or feel of your home, it mostly just comes down to what you’re willing to spend and the effort it takes to change it over. Personally, I like to start with low time and money investments first, and take it from there, but that’s just me. Thanks for reading!