Quick and Easy Home Renovations on a Budget

By focusing on five key areas, Randy was able to give this house a new look in only three months. The money he spent on remodeling more than doubled the home's value.

First, a fresh coat of paint and a new chimney lent this house real country appeal.

Paint and trim: Randy gave the home's clapboard exterior a much-needed update by painting it a deep charcoal, Benjamin Moore's Templeton Gray. Crisp white trim makes the color pop and draws attention to the main entry.

Front porch: Originally, the porch had wrought-iron railings that looked "dark and unimpressive," says Randy, who replaced them with wood posts he found at a lumber yard, then painted. He bought the door for $20 at a garage sale.

Landscaping: To save money and time, the landscaping was kept the same. The bushes around the house were trimmed to let more light in through the front windows. The result is simple and rustic, like the house itself.

Chimney addition: At a cost of $5,000 to $6,000, this was one of the pricier changes, but it also adds the most to the property's worth. Built-in log storage at the chimney's base is a practical and attractive foil to its boxy shape.

If you can redo only one area, choose the living room—it takes up the bulk of a home's space and costs less because most changes are cosmetic.

New fireplace: Fitted with a $150 antique mantel, the fireplace becomes a charming focal point. It also increase the home's value by 12 percent.

Minor renovations, such as new shelving, make the kitchen a house's focal point — and they can help you recoup up to 83 percent of your investment.

Colorful—and functional—details, such as the swinging towel rack and countertop canisters, liven up the kitchen's neutral palette. Inexpensive terra-cotta pots and tin ceiling tiles add visual interest to the shelves above the oven.

Chandelier: An Art Deco-style chandelier with vintage shades dresses up the kitchen. The medallion, $40, from the Home Depot, hides an elbow pipe jutting from the ceiling.

Cabinets: Randy took a farm-friendly approach by replacing the cabinet doors with wainscoting panels. He then painted them a warm neutral shade that complements the walls.

Appliances: To minimize expenses, all the working appliances stayed put, including the 10-year-old dishwasher, which was resurfaced in wainscoting for a fresh look.

Countertop: Material for the countertop, which is made of molded linoleum tiles, cost only $74! The surface was coated with a clear polyurethane finish for protection.

Where to Spend: "With a renovation, you do need to spend money on the things you don't see," says Randy, who recommends checking the plumbing and electrical systems for problems before making any cosmetic changes.

Where to Save: Randy reused and repurposed wherever possible, updating everything with a sunny color palette. He also saved money by incorporating vintage appliances, such as a $600 turquoise oven and the sink, a gift from a friend.

Deliberately imperfect pieces fill the rooms with character.

Washer & dryer: The first-floor bathroom's old laundry area was relocated to the basement to allow for a tub with a beadboard deck. Now the house has two full baths.

Vintage fixture: A salvaged pedestal sink and a claw-foot tub are thrifty finds—the sink cost $50, the tub was free—that gave the bath a sense of history.