5 Small Home Upgrades Under $5,000 That Make a Huge Impact, Designers Say

• Changing your lighting can be an affordable way to bring impact to a room. Layer various types or swap out dated styles.
• If you’re looking for a budget-friendly and quick update, consider painting your front door for a visual refresh.
• Focus on your curb appeal by improving your landscaping with new plants or trimming back old ones for more structure.

Saving up the money for home renovations may take a little time, but deciding what to use your home renovation budget for can take forever. Getting stuck between renovating the bathroom, updating the kitchen, adding much-needed storage, or sprucing up the front yard can feel impossible, as every home renovation project may seem like an equal priority.

To help you get the most out of your renovation budget, we’ve listed five home upgrades for under $5,000 that make the biggest difference, according to design pros.

Update Lighting Fixtures

Lighting trends come and go. While some types of lighting, such as recessed lighting, never really go out of style, other lighting fixtures can dramatically date your home’s interior and exterior. Whether they’re too modern, too ornate, too industrial, or too farmhouse, each lighting style can heavily influence your home’s overall aesthetic.

This is why Kristin Farnan, founder of Ridge Residential Design, advocates for upgrading your lighting to make a major design impact without a major impact on your wallet.

She recommends adding fixtures to rooms with only recessed lighting, swapping dated flush mounts, sconces, and chandeliers for modern alternatives, and layering lighting with sconces or a chandelier to add warmth and dimension.

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Paint Inside and Out

Nothing changes a space’s look more dramatically than paint, especially for the price. If you feel your home is looking dated, dingy, or like it needs a simple refresh, paint is your best friend. In fact, you can paint the entire inside and outside of your home for right around $5,000 on average.

Plus, nearly anyone can paint, allowing you to save major money. But, for best results, we recommend hiring a professional painter familiar with the necessary prep, particularly for your home’s exterior.

Front Door Update

When you’re trying to make the biggest home renovation impact on the smallest budget, focus on areas that receive a lot of attention. One of those key areas is your front door.

“A new statement front door can be a really fun home upgrade that can make a big difference,” Chris Turner, owner and designer at Elevate by Design, says.

While luxury wood or metal front doors can add beauty and elegance to your entrance, it doesn’t have to be a high-dollar transformation to have a positive impact. Turner advocates for simply painting the front door a vibrant color.

New Landscaping

Turner recommends prioritizing your home’s curb appeal when choosing how to spend your renovation budget, with one of his top tips being improving your landscaping.

“Adding more drought-tolerant plants is an awesome option that you can do on a budget, too,” he explains. “It improves the yard’s aesthetic, and it’s always nice to have more plants around.”

Built-In Storage and Organization

Adding built-ins is a home upgrade that can both improve your home’s aesthetic and make your life easier. Farnan notes that adding built-ins has both a high ROI and the added benefit of more organization, meaning it can improve your home life and speak directly to most buyers.

“Fill an empty corner or blank wall with a custom built-in unit that can act as a mudroom, reading nook, or dresser in a bedroom,” she recommends.

Tip for Getting the Highest ROI on Home Renovations

To make the most of your home renovation projects, here are some expert tips for increasing your ROI.

• Add usable space. Farnan recommends thinking of every nook and cranny of your home, and how you can bring in a unique area, such as a second home office or section off a larger bedroom to add a new bathroom.
• Focus on curb appeal first. Turner says focusing on curb appeal is a good way to make a big difference with your design budget. “Things like fresh paint, modern lighting, and clean landscaping go a long way in how a home is perceived,” he explains.
• Choose timeless over trendy. Turner explains that trendy finishes may look great now, but they can date quickly. He recommends choosing classic materials and natural tones that will stand the test of time.