This is the second story in a three-part series about how to give your home a refresh for $50,000 or less (in some cases a lot less).
Keeping up with the Joneses is becoming more difficult by the day, with some Arlington homes commanding sale prices in the millions. But with a few designer tricks, you can keep your home looking fresh and current without breaking the bank.
If you’re redesigning on a budget, start by identifying a style you like (say, midcentury modern or Cottagecore) and changing up one element—such as lighting, rugs, textiles or wallcoverings– throughout the house, says Arlington resident Nicole Lanteri of Nicole Lanteri Design.
“People want something that reflects their own style, that isn’t extravagant but is well-made and has unique pieces,” says Lanteri. How you put those pieces together is more important than what they cost.
In the kitchen makeover above, Lanteri’s clients opted to forego top-of-the-line appliances, but invested a little extra on high-end Ann Sacks backsplash tiles (which they only needed in small quantity) and reeded glass for the cabinet doors. At $46 per square foot, the total cost of the tile was $1,380 for materials. The resulting space feels unique and filled with character.
“That’s a great trick,” notes the designer. “If there is something expensive you want, maybe you just need a little bit of it and it can go a long way.”
Here are more tips for affordable home upgrades with a big impact.
Start with paint. Want to convert an old room for a new use? Start by emptying it out and creating what is effectively a blank slate. If the space was serving as a playroom but the kids are getting older, remove all the toys and apply a new coat of paint. Then you can figure out what to do with it. “When you paint, you take everything off your walls. I find that’s a great way to refresh things,” Lanteri says, at minimal cost.
Mix high- and low-cost materials. Don’t be afraid to pair a few high-end items with lower-cost fixtures and finishes. For the kitchen renovation above, Lanteri kept the existing hardwood perimeter cabinets and some of the appliances, using the clients’ limited dollars to purchase new countertops, backsplash tile and a contemporary island. “Those kinds of moves save you money,” she says. “You can still have a really nice kitchen, but it won’t break the bank. You don’t need a built-in refrigerator. You don’t need a Sub-Zero. If that’s what you really want, great–but if you can’t afford it, or want to make your dollar go farther, you don’t need them.”
To brighten and modernize the space, Lanteri traded the dark and dated countertops and backsplash for white granite and white subway tile. She replaced the island, including its built-in cooktop, range hood and wine fridge, with sleeker models. The cost of new island cabinetry and countertops was between $20,000 and $30,000, she says.
In the space opposite the kitchen (see below) Lanteri replaced two built-in desks with a cozy breakfast nook with a built-in, upholstered bench. Wallpaper, white window treatments and an updated light fixture finish the look. The cost to renovate the whole kitchen, including the nook, range, cooktop, hood and wine fridge, was between $40,000 and $50,000, she says.
Think in layers. Got limited funds? Instead of redesigning room by room, try thinking in terms of what Lanteri refers to as “layers.” Focus your funds on a single type of fixture, finish or furnishing–say, lighting, wallpaper or area rugs–and replace that element in multiple rooms for a cohesive feel. “It’s really kind of pulling the thread through the house,” she says. In the project above and below, floral accent walls with navy undertones are a recurring motif.
Take stock of what you already own. Before you commit to buying anything new, first declutter and decide what should stay and what should go, Lanteri advises. Have a collection you love? Consider grouping items such as family photos, heirloom pieces or travel finds to lend interest to an entryway, or up the stairway. “Anything en masse looks so much better together than dispersed throughout your house,” she says.
In the living room above, Lanteri updated the fireplace with a marble surround and mantel, and built-in cabinets and bookshelves. The cost for a new fireplace and built-ins: around $12,000 to $15,000, she says, depending on materials. Here, the client was inspired by her favorite resort and wanted her home to feel like a cozy country cottage. Natural wood finishes and textured fabrics also tie the main floor spaces together. There is modern lighting throughout. Lanteri saved money by reusing the client’s existing art and decorative pieces.
Splurge on quality pieces that are built to last. Once you’ve offloaded the items in your “donate or discard” pile, you can begin to replace them with nicer pieces you really need. Custom furniture, though pricey, can make a room special and is generally a good investment, Lanteri says. “Wait the 10 to 12 weeks,” for a special piece to be fabricated and delivered. “Spend a little bit of extra money and get the thing that really works, so that you can feel your best in your house.”