6 Affordable Ways to Update Your Home Without Remodeling

Home decor inspiration can often leave us feeling at a loss because we live in a time of excessive luxury and expensive living costs. As a result, an outdated home can be hard to modernize and update without spending lots of money on renovating. That’s why here at Katie T’s Home, I’ll provide 6 affordable ways to update an outdated home into a cozy cottage living space without the dreaded expense of remodeling.

Also, be sure to check out my feminine homemaking digital download templates! So, without further ado, let’s jump in!

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Updated: August 21, 2024

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Katie T’s Cottage Home Fun Fact #36

For my 36th fun fact, I want to share that I am trying to get into and learn how to make cheese!

So far, I’ve started with simple cheeses like mozzarella and cottage cheese, but I’m hoping to get to a point where I can make hard cheeses like cheddar!

The Heart of the Home: Kitchen Countertops

So, first up on the list of the 6 affordable ways to update your home is to start with the kitchen counter.

Because I’m renting this house that my mémère and pépère built, there are a lot of outdated home features, and the kitchen counters were one of them.

At the time, they were a drab gold color, and with the kitchen cabinets, it was wayyy too dark in the kitchen. So, my quick and easy fix for this problem was to add vinyl to the countertops.

Now, full disclaimer, it was challenging to adhere the vinyl in the curved areas, like around the sink. But I’d say it is a much cheaper and longer-lasting solution than if we were to paint it.

We painted the backsplash as well, and while yes, it has also held up the same amount of time (about 3 ½ years), the backsplash sees way less traffic. Plus, there were times when we accidentally scuffed the backsplash, and it chipped the paint.

The vinyl, on the other hand, has held up pretty well. I’d say the only areas that didn’t are the areas we had trouble with from the beginning, and even those are pretty minor.

In addition to updating your countertop with vinyl, I would even go as far as to say what you keep on your countertops is also significant.

For example, a lot of modern kitchens keep the area simple. There isn’t much existing on the countertops for appliances and kitchen accessories.

Updated kitchens have related items on display, like wooden cutting boards, lamps, or vintage/cottage decorative pieces.

This is where items like an oil or soap tray are perfect because they fit the description of having a decorative display in the kitchen while also being practical.

Practical Kitchen Ideas: DIY Kitchen Soap Tray Hack

Cozy Outdoor Living Space

Next up on the list of 6 affordable ways to update your home without remodeling is to have a cozy living space outside.

I won’t go into too much detail on decorating your outdoor space because I have a full video and guide below, but know that having an enticing living space outside will add sophistication to your home.

An outdoor patio can easily be associated with luxury, but it doesn’t always have to cost a fortune.

Get furniture from Facebook Marketplace and slowly acquire more decorative elements like tablecloths, rugs, plants, etc., to make your living space cozy.

Personally, I love to spend time on my screened-in porch. Whether it’s in the morning with a cup of coffee or in the evenings with a glass of wine, getting inspired by Pinterest for the upcoming projects I want to take on.

7 Charming Back Porch Essentials for a Cozy Outdoor Space

Neutral Colors are Essential

The 3rd must-have, out of the 6 affordable ways to update your home without renovating is to acquire neutral-colored items.

I’m not a professional interior designer by any means, so this is just my opinion, but hear me out.

For the most part, colors will come and go.

So even though bold and dark colors are in right now, it doesn’t mean they’ll always be. Just like the gold countertops I mentioned earlier. At the time, it was in style when my pépère built the house. Now, not so much.

But I feel like neutral colors will ALWAYS be the base.

So whenever you’re shopping for decorations, accessories, or essentials think neutral colors.

For example, my comforter and chunky knit blanket are a good baseline for the orangy-toned flooring. While this pine flooring is beautiful for this room, I’d say the orangy tone is another updated color.

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Affordable Bathroom Counter Transformation

Next up for the 6 affordable ways to update your home is to touch up your bathroom vanity.

This way is very similar to the kitchen countertop, but it takes it a step further.

So adhere the vinyl to the countertop. Also, on a side note, make sure the vinyl is waterproof (same for the kitchen countertop).

And add some simple yet decorative items. A bathroom vanity tray is a great way to do this.

But, take it a step further. I’d say if your sink is outdated, paint it!

Now, I painted mine, and I do have a major recommendation. Don’t rush the process by simply taping the painter’s tape over the drain. Actually, take the drain out.

Learn from my mistake because I just covered the drain with painter’s tape, and because it wasn’t 100% flush with the drain, water got underneath and peeled the paint.

However, all things equal, considering that only the bottom section has peeled and the rest is still intact, I’d say it’s a pretty worthy update, especially if you’re on a budget.

Make sure you get the correct epoxy paint that can handle washing and everyday wear. You can find a link for the one I used here.

Update the Corner into a Reading Nook

The second to last way on this list of 6 affordable ways to update your home is to have a cozy reading nook.

I think this speaks for itself, but the idea is to have an inviting and welcoming area.

So often homes, whether outdated or not, have almost like an awkward area or vacant corner. And I find people sometimes struggle with how to fill the space. I feel like you can never go wrong with adding an accent chair, ottoman, or bench to create a cozy reading nook.

Not only does adding these accent furniture pieces add an element of warmth, but it’s also an inviting place to sit or even put items down on.

For example, I have a classier floordrobe because my clothes are at least on my ottoman and not on the floor. It’s all about perspective!!

Simplicity and Space

Last but not least, the 6th affordable way to update your home without renovating, is to consider simplifying your area.

I find many outdated homes are filled with visual attention grabbers.

In other words, certain design elements have harsh contrasts, excessive textures, or even an abundance of curvatures, all grabbing your attention.

So, while a modern style is simple and sleek, an outdated red brick chimney, curvatures in wooden cabinets, and popcorn-textured walls don’t exactly fit the style of a modern home.

So, if you’re looking to update these areas without renovating, ask yourself how to make the area simple. Also, allow for more space to highlight the areas in your home that you want the attention on.

This may take the form of making more space in your home by removing unnecessary furniture.

Or it may take the form of what I like to call “covering it up” by, let’s say hanging a picture or TV on that popcorn-covered wall to break up the texture. Or even adding a carpet to outdated flooring.

And don’t be afraid to have the less is more mentality when it comes to physical space.

In the end, having an area to do things, like setting up a table for paint and sip with your friends, is a priceless experience worth making room for.