Article taken from the Atlanta Intown Newspaper

Want to give your home a new look without breaking the bank? Here are 10 tips for simple renovation projects you can tackle on your own that can give a room - or entire home - a new lease on life.

  1. Paint the Walls: Paint color sets the mood for a room. Walls are the major element of any room, so chose carefully. A dark paint can make a small room look even smaller. Think about painting trim a different color to give the room texture.
  2. Refinish Furniture and Cabinets: Don’t toss out that bookcase or table, or pull your kitchen cabinets down. If the bones are still solid, adding a fresh coat of paint or refinishing with a wood stain can transform a piece into a keeper. Consider changing hardware - drawer pulls, hinges, etc. - to further rehab it. For chairs and sofas, a crisp white sheet can be used to create a cool, inexpensive slipcover for a sofa or chair.
  3. Replace Dated Light Fixtures: A new wall sconce, lamp or hanging fixture can instantly pep up a room. Even changing a lampshade can add a new life and color to a room.
  4. Find New Art: Re-imagining your space may be as simple as putting new artwork up. Think big - not too many tiny things - and don’t hang too high. Eye level is generally good.
  5. Rip up the Carpet: If heavy foot-traffic or animals have taken a toll on your carpet, consider putting down a wood or laminate floor. If you don’t want to change the carpet, rugs and floor runners laid on top can change up a space or hide a stain.
  6. Upgrade your Window Treatments: Decide whether your room needs curtains or wooden blinds or shutters. Rather than go with traditional curtains, you could consider using fabric panels.
  7. Move the Furniture: Rearrange! Pull items from one room and place them in another.
  8. Incorporate Accessories: Mirrors, vases, flowers, stacks of books, framed photos and other items should complement the room. A bouquet of flowers in a simple clear vase can add an inexpensive burst of color.
  9. De-clutter: Changing the feel of your space might be as easy as throwing something away or donating it to a local charity. Get rid of unused pieces of furniture, dated lamps and books.
  10. Recycle: Don’t horde magazines and newspapers. They take up space and chances are you’ll never read them again. Many supermarket parking lots have recycling bins or check here. Simply enter your ZIP Code at the web site and it will tell you where to recycle everything from newspapers to motor oil.