Baltimore Sun Sunday

5 home projects that will cost you less than a TV

- By Wilson Weaver

Giving your home a little extra “oomph” doesn’t have to cost thousands of dollars. In fact, you can make some dramatic home improvemen­ts on a budget of just a few hundred dollars. These five projects will make a big impact, likely for less than the cost of a new TV. 1. Revamp your entryway.

A stylish entrance makes an instant impression. Begin your entryway revamp with simple, affordable upgrades like a new welcome mat and house numbers. You can also arrange potted plants — like easy-to-maintain succulents — around your entrance for an eye-popping aesthetic. Flowering plants, while slightly more difficult to maintain, can complement the color scheme of your entrance or act as a standalone focal point. You can also spruce up your home’s entrance with a quick color update to your front door. A new shade will complement your entryway decor and punch up the overall look of your home’s exterior. Chic doorknocke­rs, updated doorknobs and alluring porch lighting are the perfect finishing touches for your home’s entrance. 2. Modernize your bathroom.

Major remodels aren’t the only way to revive your tired bathroom. Start by updating your paint. A new color can open up small spaces and rejuvenate your aesthetic. Next, upgrade your linens. New towels, shower mats and shower curtains can hide dated features and improve the overall feel of your bathroom. Add sconces, towelhangi­ng ladders and reclaimed crates for extra storage and fashionabl­e functional­ity. And consider a stylish new mirror to add just the right finishing touch. 3. Repaint your interior walls.

Repainting a room can do wonders to bring it back to life. Lighter colors are perfect for opening up small areas and creating a sense of calm. You can also paint your walls and trim (or other architectu­ral features like mantels and built-in bookcases) in subtly contrastin­g colors to add depth and interest. Accent walls are perfect for reviving dull spaces — and they cost less and require less work than painting a whole room. Darker shades can be a good choice for spaces like studies, home offices and dens. 4. Update your cabinet hardware.

Installing stylish cabinet hardware is a quick and cost-effective way to update your kitchen. Before you begin your update, it’s important to consider your kitchen’s style — you don’t want to mismatch modern pulls and knobs with traditiona­l cabinets. If your kitchen has a contempora­ry design, go with sleek, understate­d hardware. Ornate, classicall­y inspired hardware will work best for traditiona­l cabinets. 5. Rejuvenate your light fixtures.

Dated light fixtures not only look bad, but they can also make day-to-day activities difficult — ultra-low lighting is great for a romantic night in, but not so much for chopping vegetables. There are thousands of pendant light and chandelier options to suit every taste and budget. Just remember: Do-it-yourself electrical jobs can be dangerous. If you’re unsure how to switch out your lighting, it’s best to hire a profession­al.

 ?? DREAMSTIME/TNS ?? Spruce up your home’s exterior with a freshly painted front door and hanging flower pots for just a few hundred dollars.
DREAMSTIME/TNS Spruce up your home’s exterior with a freshly painted front door and hanging flower pots for just a few hundred dollars.

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