Some small changes or additions can turn a plain house into the stuff of dreams. Whether you’re going for romantic cottage or charming country styles, sometimes it’s the little touches that can make all the difference.

Picket fences scream cottage, even if you live in the middle of the city. Stick to white if you want something obvious or mix pastels and bold colors for a major impact.

Turn your porch into an outdoor room. Use vintage furniture (from benches and chairs to a hatch) as much as possible to add character. Choose weather-resistant materials and don’t be afraid to buy things at garage sales or discount centers –After all, these items will stay outside and probably end up damaged after a while. Add touches of color and charm by using pillows, eye-catching accessories and lots of potted plants.

Hang stuff from the walls. Old pots and pans, dried flowers and vintage collectibles (such as mirrors, watering cans or other small items) all scream cottage charm.

Take the doors off the shelves. This works particularly well in the kitchen. Get rid of a few cabinet doors and use the open space to display cookbooks, vintage cooking utensils or well stacked china.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

Unless money is not an issue, there are some home improvements that just don’t pay to be made.

Don’t turn a bedroom into anything else if you plan on selling your house soon. A home office or a workout room may look good, but your home will be listed as having one less bedroom, lowering the selling price.

Don’t get a concrete patio. Deal with the grass or have a section covered in stone or a wood deck. Concrete increases temperature, reflects sunlight and will usually crack in hot climates. Also, it doesn’t look that appealing and you’re stuck with no garden, even if you change your mind.

Avoid bold finishes around the house. If you want bold, choose a striking wall color or bright curtains or rugs, which can be changed easily. Avoid carpeting, counters and other finishes that are too bold or too different. They may look great now, but chances are you’ll get tired of them at some point and then it will cost you a small fortune to replace them.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites

• Not planning well enough. If you don’t have a budget and a clear idea of what you want to do and how much you’re willing to spend on it, chances are you’ll spend too much.
• Buying all new furniture. Whether you’re tired of the look in a room or the dogs have destroyed the couch, there are few times when you actually need to change every single of furniture in a room. In most cases, you can reupholster some pieces, paint others and add fabrics and linens to brighten up the place. Then buy one or two pieces that will really spruce up the place.
• Changing the floors before exploring options. If you’re hardwood floors are scratched or chipped, you may think it’s time for new flooring. Before you go that route, find out if the damage can be repaired. Paint, wax or even sectional rugs can all cover the damage or at least hide it significantly.
• Hiring a handyman for little repairs. Of course you need a contractor for major structural changes and a handyman to correct electrical or pipe problems. However, there’s no reason why you can’t learn to fix the smaller things yourself. Fixing a small hole on a wall, especially in a place like the garage or the basement, where perfection is not needed, can be done by everybody. The same is true of painting a room, replacing a switchplate or other small house repairs.

Bookmark It

Hide Sites