No matter how big or small your home renovation project is, there are always ways to save money and streamline the process.

Here are 75 home renovation ideas to help you get started!

  1. Planning is key: Plan out your renovation project in advance, and make a list of everything you will need and every step along the way. This will help you stay organized and avoid costly mistakes.
  2. Make a list of your priorities: Create a list of items that are non-negotiable, and then prioritize your remaining goals from most to least important. During the planning process, refer back to this list often.
  3. Get creative with materials: There are many affordable materials you can use for home renovations, such as used lumber, recycled tiles, and repurposed furniture. 
  4. DIY whenever possible: Many home renovations can be done yourself with a little bit of research and some basic tools.
  5. Take free classes: If your project is small, Lowe’s and Home Depot offer free classes in-store and online for all sorts of projects. Just Google to find local listings.
  6. Pay for an expert: Don’t be afraid to pay for expert help when you need it. If you’re not an architect, plan to hire one. If you don’t have an eye for color, plan on hiring an interior designer.
  7. Know your strengths and weaknesses: A key to any successful remodel project is knowing what you’re good at, and what you’re not. Plan to hire help for the areas where you’re weak.
  8. Avoid shortcuts at all costs: When it comes to remodeling, the “cheapest way” is only the least expensive option in the short term. Whatever you “save,” you’ll end up paying back later in repairs, replacements, etc.
  9. Spend the time planning: My first remodel project took six months to plan. Now, some of those months were wasted, thanks to a bad contractor. But, we ended up with an end result that was completely worth those months spent. You’re potentially going to live with your remodel for years or even decades. An extra few weeks or months getting it right is worth it.
  10. Understand how you’ll use your space: If you’re not an outdoors person, spending $10K on a new deck probably won’t make you one. Use the planning process to really consider how you and your family are most likely to use the spaces you’re envisioning. 
  11. Shop around for deals: Don’t just go to the first store you find when looking for supplies; shop around for the best deals on materials and labor costs.
  12. Know what you’re getting into: Almost all remodels fall into one of three categories: expensive, affordable but problematic, or DIY. If you can’t DIY or afford “expensive,” steel yourself for a bumpy road ahead. Affordable, reliable contractors are out there – but they’re extremely rare.
  13. Ask for recommendations: Ask friends and family for recommendations on local contractors. Successful, reliable contractors don’t have to advertise, so the best way to find them is word of mouth.
  14. Ensure your work is permitted: Ask a real estate professional about permitted versus unpermitted work in your area. If in doubt, make sure your work is permitted. It’s unquestionably more expensive, but unpermitted work may make your home more difficult to sell (or lower the sales price) in many parts of the country.
  15. Invest in quality for bigger items: Some house items are only updated every few decades, like windows and insulation. If they’re difficult to replace, plan on investing in quality. If needed, you can skimp on easily replaceable items (appliances, flooring, backsplashes, lighting, etc.), and upgrade them later!
  16. Use online resources: There are many online resources available that can help you with everything from planning your renovation to finding contractors.
  17. Consider hiring a professional organizer: A professional organizer can help you organize your renovation project, making it less stressful and more efficient.
  18. Negotiate with contractors: Contractors may be willing to work with you on price, but you have to ask!
  19. Create a Pinterest board: Pin looks and designs you love. The more you pin, the more your mind will coalesce around the design aesthetic you really want. Then use your board(s) to create the finished space, or show your designer so they can see what you want.
  20. Get multiple quotes: When getting quotes from contractors, make sure to get at least three so you can compare prices. Having multiple bids makes it easier to ask your preferred contractor for a discount/price match.
  21. Get quotes even if you’re planning to DIY: On large projects, having multiple quotes will give you a baseline for comparison versus DIY. Knowing what the experts expect to pay can inform you on the process itself, and confirm whether or not doing it yourself is actually worth it!
  22. Don’t sheetrock yourself, seriously: I’ve never met anyone who said, “I did my own sheetrock, and it looks great.” Unless you install sheetrock for a living, plan to find a good subcontractor and spend the money to have it installed professionally.
  23. Consider tongue-and-groove instead of sheetrock: For small projects, consider adding tongue-and-groove wood instead. The material is marginally more expensive, but you can install it yourself, and paint it to match the walls. I installed a fireplace during the pandemic myself, and T&G above the fireplace worked perfectly.
  24. Ask your subcontractors for referrals: Tradespeople usually have recommendations they can give you for other trades. For example, on my first remodel, I saved nearly $8K on electricians thanks to a referral from my AC subcontractor.
  25. Don’t be afraid to ask for help: If you know someone who is handy or has experience with home renovations, don’t be afraid to ask them for help.
  26. Buy/use the right tool for the job: Any professional will tell you, it’s better to have the right tool than to “make do” with the wrong one. Not only will using the wrong tool make the job harder, it will likely damage the tool (or you!).
  27. Rent uncommon/expensive tools: Quality tools are expensive! If you’re only going to use it once, consider renting or borrowing the tool instead.
  28. Stick to your budget: It’s easy to get carried away with a home renovation project, but make sure you stick to your budget so you don’t overspend.
  29. Invest in a metal roof: If you plan to replace your roof, do everything possible to upgrade to metal. Not only will you be improving your home’s curb appeal, you’ll be increasing the lifespan of your roof by decades, improving your home’s energy efficiency, and reducing waste.
  30. Carefully consider your project scope: Sometimes it’s better to put a project off for later. For example, if you’re opening your walls to update electrical, that’s a great time to improve insulation as well.
  31. Stay flexible: There will inevitably be some bumps along the way, so it’s important to prepare yourself mentally to stay flexible and go with the flow.
  32. Have a backup plan: In case something does go wrong, it’s always good to have a backup plan.
  33. Avoid trends: Especially on larger projects, avoid trendy new styles. If it wasn’t a thing five years ago, it’s probably “trendy,” which means you might hate it five years from now. (Looking at you, stainless steel farmhouse sinks!)
  34. Youtube is your DIY best friend: You can find videos on almost every home project on YouTube. It’s usually best to search “how to…” and watch several videos on the topic. There’s typically a consensus, giving you the steps you need to DIY.
  35. Don’t be afraid to walk away: If you’re not happy with a contractor’s quote or they seem unprofessional, don’t be afraid to walk away and find someone else.
  36. Check for discounts: Many stores offer discounts for home renovation projects, so be sure to ask about any available deals.
  37. Get a big box credit card: Stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot offer financing specials and point of sale discounts, saving you hundreds or even thousands on big projects.
  38. Know what to complete before moving back in: The final steps of a remodel are a mad dash. Make sure you have a plan for what needs to be done, and what can be finished later. Painting trim or ceilings, for example, is tough once your space is full of furniture. Screening in a porch is easy.
  39. Compare prices online: It’s easy to compare prices for materials and supplies online, so you can make sure you’re getting the best deal possible.
  40. Get creative with storage: If you’re short on space, get creative with storage solutions so you can make the most of what you have.
  41. Utilize vertical space: When renovating a small space, it’s important to utilize vertical space as well as horizontal space.
  42. Use light colors: Light colors can make a space feel bigger and more open, so they’re ideal for small renovations.
  43. Plan for the future: Budget constraints are very real in many remodel projects. While you might not be able to check everything off your dream list, you can make the future easier. Run wire, gas and plumbing that’s easy to tie into in the future, for example.
  44. Remove clutter: Before starting any renovation project, it’s important to remove any unnecessary clutter from the space.
  45. Purge your possessions: A great way to declutter your home is to purge your possessions and get rid of anything you don’t need.
  46. Donate items: If you have items that you don’t want to keep but are still in good condition, consider donating them to a local charity or thrift store.
  47. Sell items online: There are many online platforms you can use to sell unwanted items, such as Craigslist, eBay, and Facebook Marketplace.
  48. Hold a garage sale: If you have a lot of items to get rid of, consider holding a garage sale. This is a great way to make some extra money while decluttering your home.
  49. Recycle materials: Whenever possible, recycle materials from your renovation instead of throwing them away. 
  50. Reuse materials: In addition to recycling, you can also reuse some materials from your renovation. I’m saving thousands of dollars in lumber costs on my current remodel by re-using the lumber from the old roof.
  51. Choose your materials carefully: Select the materials you’ll use for your renovation. Consider durability, maintenance, and cost when making your decisions.
  52. Get creative with paint: Paint is one of the most affordable ways to renovate your home, and there are endless possibilities when it comes to color and design.
  53. Use wallpaper: Wallpaper is another great way to add color and pattern to your home without spending a lot of money.
  54. Add accents: Small accents can make a big impact in a room, so don’t be afraid to add a few pops of color here and there.
  55. Update your hardware: Updating your hardware is a quick and easy way to give your home a fresh new look.
  56. Add new lighting: Lighting can completely transform a space, so don’t forget to add some new fixtures when renovating your home.
  57. Install a backsplash: A backsplash is a great way to update your kitchen or bathroom without spending a lot of money.
  58. Add new countertops: If you’re looking for a bigger change, consider adding new countertops to your kitchen or bathroom.
  59. Paint your cabinets: A fresh coat of paint can make old cabinets look like new.
  60. Replace your fixtures: Replacing your light fixtures, door handles, and other hardware is a quick and easy way to give your home a new look.
  61. Update your flooring: Flooring can make a big impact in any room, so consider updating yours when renovating your home.
  62. Install new windows: New windows can brighten up a space and make it feel more open.
  63. Add new doors: Replacing old doors is a quick and easy way to give your home a new look.
  64. Install crown molding: Crown molding is a great way to add some architectural interest to your home.
  65. Add wainscoting: Wainscoting is another great way to add some visual interest to your walls.
  66. Hang new curtains: Curtains are an easy way to add color and pattern to a room.
  67. Arrange your furniture: Taking the time to arrange your furniture can make a big difference in how your home looks and feels.
  68. Add some greenery: Plants can brighten up any space and make it feel more inviting.
  69. Make your own decor: If you’re crafty, you can save a lot of money by making your own decor.
  70. Shop secondhand: Secondhand stores are a great place to find affordable furniture and home decor.
  71. DIY when possible: Whenever possible, try to do your renovation yourself to save money.
  72. Hire a professional: If you’re not sure how to do something, it’s always best to hire a professional.
  73. Blend DIY and professional help: Instead of paying a team of subcontractors, pay an expert to coach you on the process. Often, you can do most of the grunt work, with the help of an expert checking over your shoulder.
  74. Get creative: There are endless possibilities when it comes to renovating your home, so don’t be afraid to get creative!
  75. Have fun: Renovating your home should be a fun and rewarding experience, so enjoy the process!

Renovating your home can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can also be expensive. If you’re looking for ways to save money on your renovation, we’ve got you covered. 

In this article, we’ve compiled 75 tips for renovating your home on a budget. From painting to adding new hardware, these tips will help you get the most out of your renovation without breaking the bank!