Real budget home renovations that look a million dollars

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Wow-factor projects with a bargain price tag


Everybody knows that remodeling a house doesn’t come cheap. With labor, materials and décor, the costs can easily spiral but luckily there’s an army of hands-on renovators who have found amazing ways to stretch the budget. From stylish garage conversions to designer attic suites, these makeover projects have accomplished the seemingly impossible and created beautiful spaces without breaking the bank. Click or scroll through and prepare to be wowed…




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Before: a drab and dated living room

When Dana and her partner took on a dilapidated time warp 1950s ranch house, complete with shag carpet, they had their work cut out. Documented on Dana’s blog, House Tweaking, the living rooms were dark and dated – a far cry from the open-plan family home the couple had in mind. However, after a little ingenious thinking and a lot of elbow grease, the space couldn’t look more different…




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After: a three-into-one Scandi living space

A pretty large structural change, vaulting the roof was surprisingly affordable. With the couple undertaking the removal of the walls, dropped ceiling and rafters themselves, the price tag of their airy double-height space came in at $5,600 for the manufacturing and installation of the central LVL beam, plus $800 for those Hamptons-style ceiling boards. For such a dramatic change, we’d say that’s a bargain!




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After: a three-into-one Scandi living space

With the internal walls between the kitchen, dining and living room demolished, the heart of the home is now this multifunctional Scandi-chic space. Decked out in white cladding with warm dark wood floors and a cozy wood-burning fireplace, it’s a dramatic transformation from the once-drab scheme. The biggest change, however, has to be the vaulted ceiling, which replaced the previous eight-foot ceiling, adding an airy, architectural feel to the room.




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Before: a cramped and clashing kitchen

With dated units and lime green walls, Fifi McGee and her fiance Neil were faced with a major challenge when it came to transforming the kitchen of their 1930s semi-detached house. In search of more space and a modern scheme, they had contemplated a grand renovation project totaling $97,000, however, with a view to tightening the purse strings, they settled on a far more affordable, but no less impressive, alternative. 




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After: a charming knock-through kitchen

The wall between the cramped kitchen and the dining room next door was knocked down to create a beautiful, spacious kitchen-diner with a modern country twist. Light gray cabinetry and rustic wood countertops offer a warm, homely feel, while a small breakfast bar is the ideal space to grab a quick bite to eat.




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After: a charming knock-through kitchen

There was even space to fit in a formal dining area behind the kitchen, which is flooded with light thanks to a large picture window. Despite compromising on their original plans, the couple managed to achieve a polished scheme on a tight budget of $36,000, which covered everything from demolition to cabinetry and appliances. Their top tip? Don’t rule out kitchen companies to deliver the whole lot for cheaper than buying and sourcing everything separately or going for flat-pack. Ready assembled cabinets will also save on labor costs.




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Before: an uninspiring gray living room

When newlyweds Blake and Kimberly purchased their first fixer-upper, the living room was tired and forlorn, with an uninspiring gray color scheme. The space was crying out for some personality, and once renovation royalty Chip and Joanna Gaines of HGTV’s Fixer Uppers got their hands on the room, that’s exactly what it was given.




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After: a stylish open-plan living space

Now a chic and airy scheme, rustic touches abound, with wood paneling, industrial-style shelving and salvaged furnishings. The wall between the lounge and dining room was knocked through to create a bright and airy space, while the fireplace was stripped back to reveal stunning exposed brickwork, creating a stylish divider between living zones.




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After: a stylish open-plan living space

Removing an internal wall made all the difference to this once-lackluster living room, and while it may feel like a pretty big project, it’s more affordable than you might think. According to renovation advice site Fixr, you can expect to pay an average of around $700 to remove a non-load-bearing wall measuring eight foot by 12 foot. For load-bearing walls, you’re looking at between $1,500 and $3,000, including steel beam installation.




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Before: a dark, gloomy kitchen

Sometimes, one or two key changes can makeover a room beyond recognition. Dim and gloomy, Diana Elizabeth‘s kitchen was suffering from an extreme lack of light, after an extension led to the removal of four key windows in the room. With a shortage of ambient daylight, it was difficult to appreciate the stylish units, ornate tiling and rustic breakfast island. 




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After: a bright kitchen with skylight

With the simple addition of skylights and sun tunnels, Diana’s kitchen had an easy update without laying a finger on the layout or fixtures of the room. Wells of light cascade down, illuminating the warm wood grains of the cabinetry. During the day, there’s no need to even reach for the light switch now.




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After: a bright kitchen with skylight

With one simple but crucial addition, Diana took her kitchen from dingy to delightful. When it comes to cost, Velux’s skylights come in at between $2,900 and $3,700 including installation, while their Sun Tunnels range from $550 and $950. Never underestimate the power of natural light!




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Before: a shabby brick exterior

The first property at the entrance of their neighborhood, Brent and Ronnie’s lackluster brick bungalow was dated and time-worn. Desperate to make a wow-factor first impression with something a little more modern, the team on HGTV’s Curb Appeal: The Block gave the uninspiring façade the revamp it needed.




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After: a modern exterior with spacious deck

With a layer of deep green paint, offset with a darker shade around the window frames, the brickwork has been given a chic contemporary makeover. A large spacious deck replaces the small micro porch, offering a beautiful spot to soak up the sun beneath the pergola. Spread across several levels, this stylish exterior has no end of curb appeal now!




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After: a modern exterior with spacious deck

So how much did this makeover set them back? Aside from a new lick of paint, you can expect to pay around $12,000 for a 320-square-foot space installed by professionals, according to Fixr. Not bad for a complete facelift!




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Before: a dusty attic space

Jen of interior design blog Love Chic Living had big ambitions for the dark and dusty loft of her family home. Like many homeowners, she wanted to utilize redundant space in the rafters and transform it into a usable room that would add value to her property. To create more height, she decided to lift the roof, resulting in a pretty spectacular final result…




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After: a smart attic guest suite

The completed attic conversion is a world away from the previously dingy attic space. Crisp and modern, the double bedroom features a fresh white and navy palette, paired with stylish dark wood flooring. Built-in closets fit snugly into the heightened eaves, and there’s even an ensuite bathroom, complete with a spacious walk-in shower.




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After: a smart attic guest suite

For a project with major structural work, you’d expect the price tag to be pretty hefty. According to Household Quotes, the cost of a single-story extension with a bathroom can range from $53,000 to $73,000, depending on your location. However, in total, Jen spent about $43,000 transforming her attic and adding two valuable rooms to her home – a pretty decent save on a standard extension!




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Before: a dingy enclosed stairwell

Her property’s dark and dingy stairwell had long been a source of frustration for Amber McNaught. Desperate to draw some light into the hallway, Amber and her partner Terry, embarked on a renovation project to open up the space and create a light and modern space. The ambitious overhaul was documented on her lifestyle blog, Forever Amber.




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After: a light glass entryway

While Amber admits that the four-month revamp was a little arduous, the end result is dazzling. The dividing wall was removed, the worn carpet stripped away and laminate wood installed on the treads. Bespoke glass panels were fitted along the edge of the stairs, allowing light to flood into the previously enclosed space.




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After: a light glass entryway

Bringing their wow-factor entryway to life didn’t put the pair out of pocket either. With Trevor demolishing the wall and installing the new treads, costs were kept reasonable. It just goes to show what a little elbow grease can accomplish!




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Before: a sparse backyard deck

Austin-based Olivia, owner of lifestyle and interiors blog LivvyLand, and her partner Blake, embarked on some serious backyard renovations in their Texas property. Previously home to a warped orange deck, the pair decided to add a bit of personality to their outside area and create an indoor-outdoor living space they could make full use of throughout the year.




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After: a chic outdoor living space


Now complete, the deck is a stylish space to socialize and soak up the Texas sun. A clear Polygal roof ensures the patio is light and airy, while composite decking, though a little more costly than wood, is extremely long-lasting and low-maintenance. Rustic chicken wire fencing adds a modern farmhouse feel, and strings of fairy lights create an enchanting space to relax when the sun goes down.




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After: a chic outdoor living space

While the pair splashed out on some things, they saved on other elements, bringing this chic hangout zone within budget. According to Fixr, you can expect to pay almost $12,000 for a 320 square foot composite deck, including installation, though as it won’t warp or stain, it can withstand daily use for around 30 years or more. 




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Before: an old disused garage

Finding themselves stepping on each other’s toes in their snug family house, Roxanne and her husband John decided to get creative when it came to expanding their property. Rather than undertaking a costly extension, they turned their attention to the garage – a large space they seldom used. Working on the project over a period of two years, they transformed the disused space into a cozy sitting room.




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After: a coastal-inspired family room

Now a light and tranquil living space, their hard work, documented by Roxanne on her blog, The Honeycomb Home, was worth the toil. White clapboard walls conjure up ocean vistas, while a rustic reclaimed coffee table adds a shabby chic finish. The fresh palette of crisp white, pastel blue and pink creates a soothing space where the whole family can kick back and relax.




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After: a coastal-inspired family room

Rattan accents and rustic ladder storage add to the calm and characterful scheme. To draw light into the room, Roxanne and John installed a large picture window where the garage door had once been, costing $400. With the total price of a garage conversion ranging coming in at around $6,000 according to Fixr, it’s a pretty affordable way to add space without breaking the bank. 




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Before: a lackluster beige bathroom

An old fashioned and uninspiring space, Mandi of Vintage Revivals accepted the challenge of renovating her mother-in-law’s lackluster master bathroom. In a mere four days, she took this beige scheme from drab to fab with a stylish modern makeover – even more impressively, she completed the project on a shoestring budget.




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After: a modern subway-tiled bathroom


Chic and stylish, the room is a shadow of its former self. With the privacy wall demolished and the bulky cabinet removed, light floods in through the previously obscured window. A deep olive wall offers a warming focal point, while smart wall-mounted towel storage saves on valuable floor space.




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After: a modern subway-tiled bathroom

White subway tiles create a luxurious spa-like aesthetic, though incredibly, they cost just less than $200. Similarly, the slim minimalist sink was an affordable IKEA buy, with a floating vanity unit maximizing the illusion of space. Awash with quality finishes, this stunning scheme was achieved for a mere $939, including wall demolition.




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Before: a basic uninspiring kitchen

Often a daunting task, kitchen remodels are known to strike fear into the hearts and wallets of many homeowners. When Alison Wu of lifestyle blog Wu Haus renovated her culinary space, the transformation from small dated kitchen to dazzling designer scheme took a total of nine weeks, but the results are nothing short of spectacular.




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After: a glamorous pink kitchen

The completed room is stylish and sophisticated, with blush pink walls and soft gray cabinetry exuding luxury. Removing the wall between the kitchen and the pantry opened up the space, while carefully selected accessories, like the architectural pendant lights, add a high-end aesthetic. Practicalities haven’t been forgotten either – wall-mounted storage units combining shelving and cupboards offer a versatile storage solution without taking up floor space.




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After: a glamorous pink kitchen

Our favorite feature, however, has to be that ingenious spice rack tucked under the end of the sink unit. While this scheme oozes opulence, the cabinetry is IKEA SEKTION carcasses paired with custom IKEA-compatible doors from Semihandmade. Costing $4,500, it’s a steal compared to the average cost of a new kitchen, which comes in at around $20,000, according to Fixr.




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Before: an unloved lean-to

A blank canvas, this lean-to space was another budget makeover triumph that Fifi McGee and her partner Neil undertook as part of extensive renovations to their 1930s home. Documented on Fifi’s website, the project saw this unconventional, unloved room become an attractive laundry area for everyday use.




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After: a botanical-inspired laundry room

Sticking to a strict budget, the couple installed plumbing, purchased a new washer and fitted a radiator to keep the space snug. Slate gray cupboards and a countertop offer a practical area to organize laundry, while natural stone flooring adds to the country farmhouse feel. An array of potted plants and nature-inspired artwork help to draw the great outdoors inside.




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After: a botanical-inspired laundry room

Clever homemade details add a personal touch, with Neil building the shelving and Fifi sewing a botanical-print curtain to keep the washer tucked away out of sight. The total bill for the project, including labor, plumbing, insulation and appliances, came to an impressive $4,260 – a bargain price tag for creating a valuable extra room!

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