How To Plan Your Home Renovation + Cost Breakdown

If the question is “how to plan your home renovation,” the answer should be “carefully and methodically.” We’ve talked about How to Add Value to Your Home on a Budget. Now we’re going to take a deeper dive into each of your home’s main rooms and share some excellent renovation ideas and share a cost breakdown.

That includes ideas for the kitchen, bathroom(s), bedroom(s), attic or basement, and outside (for increased ‘curb appeal’). If you need somewhere to store all your renovation materials, consider getting a storage unit.

Plan Your Home Renovation: Kitchen Ideas & Costs

How To Plan Your Home Renovation + Cost Breakdown

Upgrade The Lights

New lights and light fixtures can make a massive difference in the feel of your kitchen. The extra light they create can also change the ambiance dramatically. Lastly, today’s new, long-life, low-energy bulbs are fantastic and worth the investment.

Bulbs – $200
Fixtures – $600
Electrician – 2 Hours @ $300 / hour = $600

Upgrade Cabinet Hardware

A simple hardware update in your kitchen can have quite an effect and enhance the space considerably. Knobs and pulls are also easy to remove and replace, although you need to keep an eye on the cost. A small kitchen might need 30 knobs and pulls, but a large one may need double or triple that. When you start adding up the cost per knob, it can get expensive rather quickly.

Knobs and Pulls – 60 x $8.00 ea. = $480.00 (Based on an average-size kitchen with 30 cabinets.)

Repaint Cabinets

Even more than new hardware, repainting your cabinets can have a remarkable effect on your kitchen’s look. Also, with a little patience and practice, most homeowners can easily handle the painting themselves. (Just FYI, combining repainting with new hardware can completely transform your kitchen!)

Paint, brushes, rollers, etc. – $250.00

Upgrade Appliances

Updating older, out-of-date appliances is possibly the most expensive part of renovating a kitchen. That being said, it also adds the most value and appeal. New, low-energy, high-benefit appliances reduce your workload and stress to make kitchen time more enjoyable.

Refrigerator – $800
Stove / Oven – $500
Dishwasher – $450

Refinish the Floor

One of the first things many people notice about a kitchen is the floor. Floors can add, or significantly subtract, from a kitchen’s ambiance. Refinishing the kitchen floor can transform the space entirely, adding accents and character. In most cases, it’s also a DIY affair, so you can easily get it done on a tight budget.

Renting a sanding machine – $150
Paint – $150
Varnish – $150.

Plan Your Home Renovation: Bathroom Ideas & Costs

Update the Towels, Curtains, and Rugs

While not a huge investment, upgrading the towels can make a big difference in any bathroom. Try somewhere like Bed, Bath and Beyond for an affordable option. That goes for the small throw rugs and especially the curtains too. It’s easy as pie and an affordable way to change your bath’s look in an instant.

Towels (Several different Sizes) – $200
Curtain – $45
Rug – $25

Upgrade the Hardware

Like in the kitchen, new hardware can improve the look of your bathroom instantly. The good news is that, unlike your kitchen, your bathroom has far fewer cabinets. Your budget on new pulls, knobs and even towel bars is going to pale in comparison.

Knobs and Pulls – 12 x $8.00 ea. = $96 (Based on an average-size bath with 4 cabinets.)
Towel Bar – $50
Towel Ring – $40
TP Bar – $35

Add a New Backsplash

Adding a new backsplash, while it might seem complicated, is relatively easy. Today there are peel and stick options that make the process simple and the results beautiful. While small, a new backsplash can make a significant and noticeable difference.

8X8 Porcelain Backsplash Tile x 20 = $450

Hang a Mirror

One of the best ways to improve your bathroom instantly is to hang a new, bigger, and more decorative mirror. A beautifully framed mirror adds significant perceived space, as well as class and elegance, to any bathroom. Plus, it’s an easy DIY project you can do yourself. (Just make sure to ask for help when hanging it. It’s a 2-person job, at least.)

New Mirror – $100 to $400

Plan Your Home Renovation: Bedroom Ideas & Costs

Hang New Curtains or Blinds

New curtains or, if you prefer, blinds make an immediate impact in any bedroom. They can add color, let in (or block out) more light, and change the room’s entire look. They’re also an easy DIY project you can get done in a day (or less).

Curtains for 2 Windows – $350 to $500
Blinds for 2 Windows – $250 to $500

Paint One Wall (Or All of Them)

A little contrast never hurt any room, especially the bedroom. Painting one wall adds a ton of contrast and can dramatically change the room’s look and feel of the room. Like most of the renovations on this list, it’s also something you can do yourself and save money. (A win-win during any home renovation!) By the way, nothing is stopping you from adding a fresh coat of paint to all four bedroom walls.

Paint for 1 Wall – $80
Paint for 4 Walls – $250

Update Linens and Pillows

One quick and easy way to renovate your bedroom is to upgrade your linens and pillows. Not only is it simple, but it’s fun too! You can add all the colors you want! Some people coordinate new linens with new curtains and blinds, also, for a complete overhaul!

Sheets for Queen Bed – $100.00
Comforter – $300 (Down-filled.)
Throw Pillows – $40 each

Add Plants

Houseplants are a beautiful addition to any bedroom, adding color and life to a (sometimes) dull space. They’re easy to ‘install’ too and go with practically any decor. Plus, you can move them around occasionally to change your bedroom’s look instantly.

Potted Plant – $40 (Medium size)
Attractive Pot – $25

Plan Your Home Renovation: Basement Ideas & Costs

When you look at how to plan your home renovation, don’t forget these two valuable spaces! Attics and basements offer many different choices when it comes to upgrading, remodeling, or renovations. For example, you can add bars to hang clothes or finish the basement and turn it into a ‘man cave’. (The cost difference would be substantial, of course.) Keep in mind that the bigger the attic or basement, the more costs you’ll have in materials.

Install a Closet for Storage – $200 to $500
Finish the Walls and Ceiling – $1500 to $3000
Put in a new Wood Floor – $800 to $2000
Hang Some Bars for Clothes – $100

Plan Your Home Renovation: Curb Appeal Ideas & Costs

There are many different ways to upgrade and renovate your home’s curb appeal! Even better, almost all are DIY, relatively inexpensive, and deeply satisfying, in our humble opinion. Most cost nothing if you already have the tools. If you don’t, they’re a good investment. (We recommend purchasing higher-quality tools that will last longer and provide better results.)

Trim the Shrubs, Bushes, Trees, etc. – $200 (Trimming machine.)
Placing Planters with Plants At the Front Entrance – $100 each
Powerwashing the Driveway, Walkways, and Paths – $300 (Power washing machine.)
Fresh Coat of Paint – $1000 to $3000 (Depends on who paints and the house’s size.)
Repave the Driveway – $1200
Install a New Front Door – $500