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Overview
Being stuck in the same old way of decorating your home can weigh you down. You need something new to inspire you to achieve new goals and dreams for the next half of your life, says Jessica Helgesen of Twine Interiors in Tyler, Texas. "Benefits to do-it-yourself repairs at 50+ include a sense of accomplishment that can be uplifting, and a fresh start to a new stage in your life," says Helgesen.
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Switch Out Hardware
Trade out dated kitchen and bathroom hardware for a sleek, modern look in your home. If you have knobs, Helgesen suggests replacing them with new knobs or handles in a more current finish and style, such as rubbed bronze or brushed nickel. "If you have handles, make sure to measure the screw placement on the back of the door and buy a new handle with the same width," she says. Trading out traditional door knobs for a lever style will make the hardware easier to use as well.
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Update Mini Blinds
If your mini blinds are tangled, torn or broken, swap them out for new, wider plank wooden blinds or grass shades, says Helgesen. Color coordinate new window coverings with your current decor for an updated, modern look that is easy to install and affordable.
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Splash on Some Paint
Painting the walls is one of the easiest and most dramatic changes that you can do to change the look of your home, says interior designer Elias Polanco of Miami-based Eli Polanco Designs. "We forget how easy it is to change the ambiance of the whole room by a simple change of wall color," says Polanco. "Just make sure to stay toward the lighter tones or hues for your walls and use the deeper tones as accents."
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Spruce Up Landscaping
Many people neglect their landscape and, unfortunately, lose their home's curb appeal, says Polanco. Spruce up the yard by power washing the driveway, adding mulch and low-maintenance plants, and updating pavers for the walkway. "Inexpensive pavers from your local hardware store are a great way to give your house a beautiful curb appeal," says Polanco.
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Replace Tile
If your kitchen and bathroom tile resembles a look that was appealing 20 years ago, consider replacing the tile and backsplash as your next home improvement project. "Replacing tile is one of the easiest tasks people can do themselves," says Polanco. "By using tiles of their choice, they can create a backsplash with different designs for the kitchen or bathroom."
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Slide 7: Rearrange Furniture
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For a simple and affordable home improvement project, use what you have. Simply rearrange your family room or living room furniture to create a more comfortable conversation area, suggests Lauri Ward, New-York based home design expert. "If you have an L-shaped seating area which doesn't allow for face-to-face chats, move the seats to create a U-shaped grouping," says Ward. "This will allow for more intimate conversation and a more balanced looking grouping that makes you feel better whenever you're in the room."
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Renew Your Decor
Give your rooms and art a more cohesive, elegant look by framing all art work in one finish, such as all black, dark wood or silver tones, suggests Ward. You can also create a more dramatic focal point by hanging several pieces of art close together, centered above your sofa on a long wall. "This will allow you to use more of what you have, without having to hang art on every wall, which can make any space feel small and cluttered," says Ward.
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Replace Lighting
Improve your lighting so that it is easier to see and read in your home. Ward suggests replacing low wattage bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. Update your lamps as well. "Be sure to use pairs of lamps flanking your sofa, whether floor or table lamps, so that there is more than one comfortable place to sit and read," she says.
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Renew Your Decor
Give your rooms and art a more cohesive, elegant look by framing all art work in one finish, such as all black, dark wood or silver tones, suggests Ward. You can also create a more dramatic focal point by hanging several pieces of art close together, centered above your sofa on a long wall. "This will allow you to use more of what you have, without having to hang art on every wall, which can make any space feel small and cluttered," says Ward.
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Replace Lighting
Improve your lighting so that it is easier to see and read in your home. Ward suggests replacing low wattage bulbs with LED or compact fluorescent bulbs. Update your lamps as well. "Be sure to use pairs of lamps flanking your sofa, whether floor or table lamps, so that there is more than one comfortable place to sit and read," she says.
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