GUYS!! We are in the home stretch our of kitchen renovation and I cannot wait to show you. But for now it feels really good to have a kitchen that is fully functional!

I have gotten so many questions about our home renovations – and have been feeling a little guilty for putting this off so long but there is just SO much to tell so here is a quick start.

Most people have told me they don’t have the time and/or the budget for a major remodel right now…. so I want to take the time to tell you a few simple things you can do that will really make a difference.

Upgrading if you are renting can be challenging – always ask your landlord before hand but a lot of times if you are willing to put the work in for an upgrade they will be ok with you doing it and sometimes even foot part of the bill – it’s always worth a shot!

• Painting – You might be thinking this is so simple but after helping some of our friends who just bought their house paint I want to tackle our downstairs. Our house had an assortment of colors and taking it back down to a simple white has done wonders for the upstairs. If you are getting a space ready to sale if you have neutral colors (aka if your bedroom isn’t hot pink) I actually don’t recommend painting. When I sold real-estate the number one thing buyers wanted to do was repaint (followed by re-carpet) If you know the paint or floor is bad it’s a great idea to offer an “allowance” where you will give the buyer money at closing toward the needed materials. That way they can pick the style and quality they want but you are proactively informing them you are aware they will want it changed.

• Lighting – before marrying Zac I used to hire an electrician to come swap out any light fixtures but have since discovered that with the help of Youtube anyone can change out lighting fixtures – we switched some dated gold “boob lights” for these modern flat lay LED lights. They allow more light into the room, look much better and save on our electric bill.

• Wallpaper – it’s making a comeback (thanks to companies like LoomWell who have made the quality and take down so much easier!) Wallpaper goes right on over your wall so no paint needed and you can peel it off when your lease is over or when you are ready to re-decorate the room. It’s pricer than paint but it also adds even more of your personality to your home.

• Hardware – doorknobs, cabinets, or even hardware on your furniture can make things feel dated. There are so many good options today that really change a space. Personally, I think door hardware is a big deal – everyone who comes into your home will notice it – because they use doors! I will say that in my first home I went as far as to rip out all the bathroom hardware it was already brushed nickel but I put new in and this was an update that I regretted because I couldn’t feel the upgrade as much. If you are changing from a towel bar to hooks or vice versa than by all means update! If not a good cleaning should do the trick. This hardware is VERY similar to what we did on our new cabinets.

• Mirror/Art – While we are on the bathroom – I recommend you always change the mirror in your bathroom this can and will change the entire feel of the space. In your other rooms adding art to the walls is something I have always been slow at doing but it makes the world of difference.

• Curb Appeal – Sounds like a broad HGTV term? It is. Depending on where you live your outdoor space is very different or you might not have any at all. Adding flowers, painting your door, or updating your mailbox are all great ways of freshening up your space and making it feel inviting from the moment someone sees it. Since our indoor space is where we spend more time while at home Zac and I have spent our time tackling the tasks that come with a 1920’s home inside but are also hard at work getting a great baseline to finish our outdoor space in the spring.

• Clean out no I am not joking. Cleaning out your house makes a WORLD of difference. Take out anything you don’t use/like/love anymore. Trust me. I know this because for nearly a year we had a football table in our living room. Without it, our space feels totally different. I am sure that is an extreme but what boxes are you holding onto or throw pillows and blankets maybe a side table that you really don’t need?

When you think about how much time we spend in our homes it’s crazy to think that sometimes they are places that we don’t like. A friend of mine who is an interior designer started telling me a few months ago that when you are in your house it should feel like you want others to see you. That’s why a home is a comfort because it is the best of yourself.