8 Home Renovation Ideas On a Budget (UK)
Having a renovation project is one way to spruce up your space and create your dream home. Even better is how you can improve the overall appearance and functionality of your home without breaking the bank. Renovating your home is also considered more affordable than buying a new home or moving to a different one. Here are some ideas for renovating a house on a budget in the UK.
1. Spruce Up Your Kitchen
There are many ways you can give your kitchen a brand new look at an affordable cost. Depending on the kitchen design you already have, you can decide to change the worktops (this might cost you approximately £1,000) and replace them with new ones.
You can go for faux marble, faux wood or laminate worktops. There's also the option of changing your kitchen splashback where you can decide to use tiles or adhesive glass depending on what you prefer.
Upgrade Your Cabinet Hardware
If your budget is tight and your cabinet doors are in good condition, give them a fresh coat of paint instead of replacing them. These purely cosmetic improvements can refresh your kitchen without the cost of a full remodel. A small, movable kitchen trolley can add prep space for less; a basic kitchen island costs around £770 on average, before plumbing, electrical work or other extras.
2. Replace Your Interior Decor
The interior decor reflects the mood and your taste, sense of style and preference. You can't always work with qualified interior designers to create a space that’s both functional and aesthetically appealing. It costs a lot of money.
There are several cost-effective upgrades that can give your space an improved look. For instance, instead of making the TV your focal point, you can draw attention to an existing fireplace or create a feature wall with a contrasting paint colour.
Adding open shelves is one way to spruce up your decor while also acquiring extra storage space. Another thing you can consider doing is replacing your old rug with a new one. Depending on the type and condition of your flooring, painted floorboards can be a more affordable option than installing new flooring.
3. Repaint Your Interior
Repainting your interior is one of the renovation projects you can undertake as a DIY project to save on labour costs. A fresh paint job on your walls can give your space a brand new look.
For better results, you can hire a professional to do it at an affordable cost. Painting a small bedroom (around 10–12 m²) typically costs about £250–£400, depending on preparation, location and whether paint and woodwork are included. The colour you choose will determine the mood you set for your space. Not forgetting you need to also choose a colour that matches the decor theme.
4. Opt for a Cost-Saving Design
Going for an industrial design is one way to ensure that you save money on your renovation work. Opting for a design with exposed brickwork means zero expenditure on finishes or any plastering costs, thus saving you money. You shouldn't focus so much on saving costs that you overlook your overall decor theme.
5. Install Rooflights
Adding rooflights is one way to bring more natural light into a dark space. As a guide, a basic fixed roof window in an existing pitched roof can cost around £800–£1,600 supplied and fitted, before VAT; a new manual-opening roof window may cost around £1,200–£2,400. Scaffolding, structural work and interior finishing can add to the total.
The final price depends on the rooflight type, roof structure, access and finishing required. Check whether the quote includes these items, and ask your local authority or installer whether planning permission or building regulations approval applies. A rooflight can brighten an attic, but it does not by itself make the space suitable for use as a room.
6. Low-Budget Bathroom Remodel
Building a new bathroom can be quite costly for many homeowners. An alternative is to reuse what is still good and focus on smaller updates, such as refreshing grouting where the tiles and joints are otherwise sound. If your sink, toilet or shower needs replacing, keep it in the same spot to avoid the extra labour involved in moving pipes.
If your water system is suitable, a shower pump may cost around £475–£700 supplied and fitted; a thermostatic mixer shower typically costs around £350–£500 supplied and installed. If you need both, allow roughly £825–£1,200 as a guide, with additional costs possible for electrical work or altered pipework. Pumps are generally used with compatible gravity-fed systems, so ask a qualified plumber to check your setup before choosing one. This can be more affordable than a new bathroom. You can also give your bathroom a high-end look by purchasing standard off-the-shelf suites and some designer taps, and these luxury bathroom ideas can help guide your choices. A quick improvement is to paint suitable bathroom walls with paint designed for humid conditions.
7. Renovate Your Garden
There's so much that you can achieve with a garden renovation. You can make the most of your property’s outdoor space by having either a garden room or perhaps a garden office. With a unique garden room design, you get to acquire extra space while also improving your garden.
You could also add some flowers or vegetation to enhance the aesthetic appeal of your garden. You should also ensure the plants are taken care of, the lawn is mowed and the weeds are uprooted, most of which you can do yourself. There's also the option of acquiring help and guidance from a landscaping expert.
A renovation budget can go out of the plan very quickly. If the sole reason you want a cheap house renovation is just so you can sell it, don't bother. webuyanyhouse.co.uk will buy any house in any condition and will probably save you some cash too.
8. Consider an Exterior Makeover
The exterior of your home gives the first impression whenever someone looks at it. But how do you get an exterior makeover if you’re on a limited budget? From painting your exterior, replacing the cladding material to replacing your front door, there's plenty that you can do to improve your kerb appeal.
You could also consider planting a climbing plant to cover up any parts of the exterior walls that are not attractive. Adding a porch to the existing house is yet another cost-effective way to improve your property. If there are cracks on the walls or damaged bricks, get the cause checked before arranging a repair rather than simply covering the damage.
With the right team on board, you can renovate your house on a budget and get the professional guidance you need. For inspiration before you plan, explore these house renovation ideas with pictures. If funds are limited, renovate gradually, working room by room where practical rather than tackling the whole house at once. Also, there are certain renovation projects where you can be your own project manager to help you save on such costs.
You'll also need to consider whether residential planning permission will be necessary since this will determine whether you’ll incur the extra cost of acquiring one from the local authorities. When budgeting, compare at least three quotes for the same scope of work and set aside a contingency fund for unexpected expenses.