Simple & Inexpensive Fixes (

Question

I'll start with one from personal experience . . . . First investment property I bought has a chain link fence around the yard that looked awful, as most do. Spray painted it black and now it looks exponentially better and almost new.

Changing hardware on cabinets is an easy one. Also heard someone recommend painting white cabinets into darker colors.

Curious to hear what others recommend!

Janelle K. Eagle · Answer

Light fixtures range in price, but there are Now many options that are affordable and immediately modernize a space and potentially become more “efficient” as well. Swap out or upgrade lighting in some of the “wow” spaces!

Kerry Noble Jr · Answer

Changing light socket faces and light switch faces also

Account Closed · Answer

Get rid of the ugly builder basic mirrors in the bathrooms and add some style. They can be had fairly cheaply.

Todd Rasmussen · Answer

@Jonathan W.

Replacing interior doors with the panel style makes a big visual impact for not very much money.

Bruce Woodruff · Answer

$500 is not much money. I wish you'd set the limit at $5000. But paint, flooring cleanup, can lights in kitchen, replace electrical with Decora, expose some woo or brick if possible....

Todd Rasmussen · Answer

I did this but used cold galvanizing compound, fence looked brand new!

Evan Polaski · Answer

@Jonathan W., of course this all depends on each scenario.  Painting an "offensive" color room to a neutral.

I am fairly handy, and like doing some basic work, so for about $50 of material (1x2's) and maybe 3-4 hours, I can make a geometric feature wall in the living room, or a board and batten effect in entry area.

Cleaning up landscaping and a couple bags of mulch also go a very long way.

I have done new railings on small front porch, to replace the old wrought iron rusted ones for few hundred dollars...

Jon Martin · Answer

Of course, that was kinda the idea ;) We all know that opening up a living room wall or new countertops can make a huge difference, both of which can often be done for <$5K, but are not DIY or handyman stuff. Looking for small things that make a big impact, but yes, recessed lighting is great.

@Kerry Noble Jr good call on the faceplates, didn't think about that.

@Evan Polaski I like the idea of the BNB or wainscoting. I'm big on landscaping too.

Simple & Inexpensive Fixes (<$500) That Make a Huge Difference?

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