6 Budget Hacks for Your Next Home Remodelling

Why you should care

Fake these expensive looks at home without leaving a dent in your wallet.

A home makeover can leave a dent in your wallet that no amount of remodelling can fix. If you’ve got expensive taste, here’s how you can fake some of your favourite looks.

To avoid racking up a bill that runs into the high thousands, you can DIY some of the work but it’s always best to hire professionals for the big stuff – DIYs gone wrong can be expensive, both financially and legally.

You can also reuse raw material or look for stock that has been discounted because of a few dings and nicks. Additionally, avoid moving your plumbing, electrical, and gas points as these can be a major money drain.

You can also opt for cheaper alternatives for looks that you know future you won’t be able to live without. Here are some of our favourites.

The Look: Marble or Granite Countertops

Budget Hack: Thin Porcelain Tiles

Ultra Budget Hack: Laminates

thin porcelain tile counter

SOURCE: theinspiredroom.net

A marble countertop with its pretty whirls and whorls is the dream, but it can cost a pretty penny. Instead, opt for thin porcelain tiles (TPT) which look just like the real thing with the help of a little pigmentation. TPT is not only significantly cheaper than marble or granite; it can also be installed over your existing surface without the need to create grout lines.

These tiles also do not need routine maintenance, unlike marble countertops which should be deep cleaned and resealed every 3-5 years – TPT is non-porous so liquids don’t leave a stain. Plus, they’re more durable!

If these don’t fall within your budget either, opt for laminates which are basically thin plastic sheets glued to particle boards. Thanks to the magic of modern technology, many newer laminates look amazingly realistic. These too can be installed easily as they come in large sizes, and do not require the specialty tools you would require to cut and install marble or granite.

The Look: Linoleum Floor Tiles

Budget Hack: Vinyl Floor Tiles

vinyl kitchen floor

SOURCE: messiya.com

Linoleum flooring is made from raw material like wood and cork flours, tree resin, and linseed oil. Vinyl is synthetic. While linoleum tiles are not unreasonably expensive, vinyl tiles are great for the budget conscious as they cost almost half the price.

They’re also easier to DIY; linoleum tiles require a water sealant coating and careful placement to prevent moisture from seeping under the flooring, whereas vinyl is completely waterproof and can be cleaned without worrying about mould or mildew. Yay manmade stuff!

The Look: Fibre Cement Siding

Budget Hack: Engineered Wood Siding

engineered wood porch

SOURCE: canexel.ca

Fibre cement siding is the material that’s used to cover the exterior of buildings, and is made of a mixture of cement with sand or wood. Engineered wood is basically treated wood that’s combined with a resin binder instead of cement.

Just like the cheaper alternatives mentioned above, engineered wood siding is less costly to install – fibre cement is both heavy and brittle, and requires more manpower and care during installation. We still recommend (highly!) hiring a professional for your sidings as they require detailed care and handling regardless of the material used.

The Look: Kitchen Tile Backsplash

Budget Hack: Solid Slab Backsplash

kitchen backsplash

SOURCE: hgtv.com

A backsplash is a quick way to add a little pizzazz to your kitchen. That said, the usual tiled backsplash can be a challenge for the amateur – it requires careful placement and a pair of really strong and patient arms. Enter the last of our tile alternatives: the solid slab backsplash. This is basically a single sheet that requires minimal cutting or shaping before installation.

The Look: Plaster Crown Moulding

Budget Hack: Trimrock Molding

crown moulding

SOURCE: freshome.com

Plaster moulding along the edges of your ceiling is instant Parisian-chic. Unfortunately, plaster moulding can be very expensive – it has to be made to order and because it cracks easily, requires gentle handling that takes time and manpower.

Instead, create your own gothic masterpiece with trimroc moulding. Trimroc is a lightweight foam product that’s coated in hard plaster. It requires no nails, screws, or special adhesives – as you can imagine, it’s a lot easier and cheaper to install than traditional plaster moulding.

The Look: Stainless Steel Appliances and Cabinets

Budget Hack: Peel and Stick Contact Paper

stainless steel contact paper kitchen

SOURCE: livingandkitchen.com

Shiny stainless steel appliances are the mark of a well-furnished kitchen but like all other wonderful fixings, they’re criminally expensive. Enter the peel-and-stick contact paper with faux stainless steel finish; essentially large adhesives that you can cover your appliances and surfaces in.

While contact paper has a reputation of being cheap looking (which comes with being cheap), many newer films are treated to produce a more realistic finish. Welcome to the future!

Cover image from alldubai.ae.

Why you should care

Fake these expensive looks at home without leaving a dent in your wallet.

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