Finding a reasonable “hack” can be a lifesaver, or at least, a money saver, if you are a DIYer. Having some tips to get things done efficiently and affordably, while having fun doing it, makes the results more satisfying.
“I believe that everyone deserves to live in a beautiful home, regardless of financial means. There are plenty of clever ways to achieve stunning renovations on a modest budget with practical tips to upgrade a home on a beer budget,” says Kristen Coutts, host of A&E’s Beer Budget Renos, where she dispenses clever, cost-saving hacks to transform outdated spaces into fresh, functional homes. She will be at the Calgary Fall Home Show at the BMO Centre on Friday Sept. 26, and Saturday Sept. 27.
Coutts says that DIY, as the term states, relies mainly on a person’s own elbow grease, but there’s nothing to be embarrassed about asking experts for advice or professional help when the situation calls for it.
“Don’t be afraid to try something new, but also know when to defer to the pros. Mistakes are truly a part of the process – it’s how we learn and know not to make that mistake again.”
Unfounded confidence in undertaking a project without the necessary expertise can lead to bigger problems down the road.
“My tip would be to avoid mistakes out of your scope of expertise. Do not try anything electrical or plumbing-related if that’s not your background, and do not knock down any walls without having an engineer check if they’re load-bearing. Those are costly, and sometimes, very unsafe mistakes to make and it’s better to err on the side of caution. But don’t let fear stop you altogether.”
Two money-saving DIY shortcuts
Flat-pack built-ins
“Big box stores offer so many great storage options that just need a little effort to take them from generic to high-end. I like to build a base to bring them up off the floor and allow the baseboards to continue from the walls along the bottom of the piece. You can do the same at the top if you have crown moulding, and the new functional storage looks like it’s always been part of your home.”
Feature walls
“Whether you’re comfortable with a power saw, or are cutting by hand with a mitre box, feature walls are a recommended go-to to infuse a space with design on a budget. The possibilities are endless with just a few MDF baseboard pieces from the hardware store. I recently gave a client’s drab entryway a facelift by installing MDF pieces in a board-and- batten style halfway up the wall with a narrow shelf on top. I painted it out to match the existing trim colour and stained some simple dowel peg hooks for contrast. Now the space looks purposeful, instead of forgotten.”