Blog>Ideas>House renovation ideas that won’t break the bank
Last updated: 5 October 2023
House renovation ideas that won’t break the bank
If you’ve bought a project and you’re excited to get renovating, you might be wondering where to start. Here, we’ll show you some house renovation ideas that can add value and won’t break the bank.
If you’ve bought your first renovation project, you might be feeling a little daunted. Where do you start? And how do you prioritise where to spend your money?
Don’t worry! These house renovation ideas have got you covered.
First, we’ll look at some home improvement ideas that can add value to your house, and then we’ll look at some renovation ideas that can have a big impact without breaking the bank.
Home improvement ideas that will add the most value
First things first, if you’re wondering where to spend your budget, it makes sense to use it on things that are most likely to add value to your home.
Extensions and conversions can add up to 20% to your home’s value, while there are lots of other ways you can increase your home’s kerb appeal and therefore encourage it to sell for more.
Here are a few home improvement ideas that could add significant value to your home:
Turn your house into flats
Add a conservatory
Make an open plan living area
Build an annexe
Add a driveway
Update your kitchen
If you want to find out more about the cost to do any of the above jobs, you're best off heading over to our cost guides - we have hundreds of them available to you.
You can use them to budget for your project before reaching out to a tradesperson for an accurate quote.
House renovation ideas on a budget
You don’t have to fork out on an extension to add value to your home and increase its saleability.
Here are some house renovation ideas that’ll exponentially increase your property’s appeal without breaking the bank.
1. Spruce up your front door
First things first, painting or replacing your front door can hugely improve your property’s kerb appeal.
There are so many front door ideas to choose from – from modern to traditional, colourful to neutral. We love how this homeowner has gone for a traditional front door to match the period property it’s part of, but in a fresh turquoise to give it an updated look!
2. Uncover an old fireplace
Adding a fireplace to your home can both increase your property’s value and cut your energy bills at the same time – so, it’s a win-win!
If you’re renovating an older property, uncovering an old fireplace can also help to bring back some of the property’s period character, which is likely one of the reasons you bought the property in the first place. This homeowner has opted to install a log burner, which not only looks beautiful but is also an efficient heating method.
3. Restore old flooring
If you’re lucky enough to still have original flooring in your home, restoring it could give your property back some of its period charm, which simply can’t be bought new. This homeowner has restored the wood flooring in this large kitchen diner, creating a showstopping feature. You could also create a wonderful feature out of old Victorian floor tiles or stone flooring.
4. Freshen up with paint
It sounds basic but adding a lick of paint to your walls and ceiling can really help to freshen up a space. Here, white paint serves to brighten up the oak kitchen and wooden flooring, increasing natural light in the kitchen.
Our guide to choosing the perfect paint colours will have you covered when it comes to picking the right tones for your home.
5. Increase connection with the outdoors
While period properties were often built with small windows, many modern homeowners crave greater connection with their back gardens. Installing bifold doors, French doors or floor-to-ceiling windows is a great way to add a modern twist to an older property and bring the outdoors in.
Here, French doors are flanked by two floor-to-ceiling windows, matching the property’s other windows in style to blend in perfectly.
6. Add wall panelling
Panelling your walls – or even your ceilings – can help you to infuse your property with some character, especially if many of the period features have been stripped out of your home. Plus, it can help to hide unsightly walls, wiring and other eyesores!
Here, teal MDF panelling brings colour and style to this eclectic master bedroom.
7. Get storage built-in
Older properties are often full of awkward nooks and alcoves. So, getting storage built in can help you to maximise your space at home – whether that’s fitted wardrobes, under stair storage or alcove cupboards.
This home boasts a whole wall of custom built-in shelves and cupboards, which not only provide invaluable storage but also make a fantastic focal point in this period living room.
8. Update your kitchen
Your kitchen is the heart of your home, so it’s likely to be a key focus in your house renovation.
We love how this kitchen diner combines both contemporary and traditional elements.to create an environment that’s perfect for modern-day living but that still respects the original character of the property. In particular, the use of rugged materials like wood, metal and cotton give it a timeless appearance ideal for a rustic kitchen.
9. Revamp your bathrooms
Bathrooms can quickly feel tired and dated, so giving yours a revamp will massively help to turn your home into your dream property (and increase its saleability).
This monochrome bathroom fits right into the quiet luxury design trend and is a fitting choice for a modern or traditional home alike. Not only have black and white bathrooms been in fashion for as long as we can remember, but they’ll also help to give your home a slick and dramatic edge.
10. Make use of the space under the stairs
Turning awkward spaces into something useful is a brilliant way to level up your home renovation. In particular, be sure to make good use of the space under the stairs.
This homeowner has opted to turn theirs into practical yet stylish under stair storage, but you could also turn this space into a downstairs toilet or even a mini home office.
11. Expose brickwork
Another great idea for bringing out your property’s inherent character is to expose a brick wall. This open plan kitchen living room boasts an exposed brick feature wall alongside exposed structural steel, to create a rugged focal point. Alternatively, a less messy route could be to use brick slips to create a similar effect.
12. Save original features
If you’re lucky enough to own a property that has period features, they’ll be able to do a lot of the heavy lifting for you when it comes to bringing style and personality to your property – you just need to uncover them in order to let them shine!
That said, it also helps to think about how you can ensure they’re the main focal point in the room. For instance, this lounge has been painted white to allow the vaulted ceiling and chracterful beams to stand out, while the living room lighting ensures that they can be seen in all their glory.
House renovation ideas: key takeaways
1. Renovating a house can be as much about stripping back as it can be about adding things. For instance, consider whether you can uncover original features like old flooring, wooden beams and bricked-up fireplaces.
2. Small changes can make a big impact. Simply painting your front door and sprucing up your front garden can hugely affect your property’s kerb appeal and help people see it in a whole new light.
3. Make sure to factor in practical considerations as well as aesthetic ones. The best property renovations are fit for modern-day living while being sympathetic to the property’s original character.
Ready to turn your house renovation ideas into reality? Find a handyperson near you to tackle a range of projects in your home and set you off on the right foot.
Search for checked tradespeople working in your area
See the tradespeople we've checked for your job