May is Home Remodeling Month

May is Home Remodeling Month for a reason. Not only is the beginning of spring perfect for cleaning and reorganization, the warm weather is a great time to assess what smaller projects should be done to keep your home in tip-top shape for the rest of the year. Of course, spring is the time to begin talking to local contractors about major renovations like kitchen remodels, home additions, and roofing or cladding projects, but for the budget and time conscious out there, spring is also the time to consider cheap and easy remodeling ideas that will improve appearances and/or function.

Easy Remodeling Ideas All Year Round
While May might be the most notable month for remodeling, any time of year is a great time for a small project that produces big effects. The following easy remodeling ideas are appropriate at any time you see fit, and will make more of a difference than their effort would lead you to believe!

Regrouting tile is a great project for many reasons. It is incredibly affordable, it can be done at any time of year, it greatly improves the appearance of older tile installations, and it protects the surfaces underneath your tile from future water damage. Couple this with a professional tile polishing, and you've got yourself a counter, shower, or floor that looks as good as new for the fraction of the cost of a new installation!

Interior painting is quick, affordable, and incredibly easy remodeling idea that will have a dramatic effect on any room. To make a DIY painting job look as professional as possible, though, you'll have to do a little more than wet your roller and go to town. Surface preparation is key, and a good scrub and/or primer coat will go a long way. Our #1 tip for homeowners who want to paint like a pro: ditch the rollers and brushes and rent or purchase a paint sprayer!

Refinishing wood furniture, flooring, or cabinetry is our final easy remodeling idea. It should be noted, however, that this project is far from simple when dealing with large surfaces. DIYs looking to refinish a single chair will easily be able to get the job done with some sandpaper and elbow grease, but if refinishing a floor is to be "easy", it will need to be done by professionals (and their professional equipment).

Cheap Remodeling Ideas for Tight Budgets
Just because a project is inexpensive doesn't mean it can't have a huge effect the day to day enjoyment you get from it. These cheap remodeling ideas are a bit small in scope, but when completed, they'll have a big impact on convenience, appearance, and function.

Closet remodels are easy to keep cheap because of the typically dainty size of the space. However, you'll be surprised at how much easier it is to find your things, keep a room clean, and even get ready in the morning when your closet space is optimized. Shelving, cabinetry, and drawers will reduce clutter in the rest of the room and make keeping organized a breeze, but won't break the bank in the process!

Adding window treatments might just be the best cheap remodeling idea ever. While you can spend a bundle on custom curtains or shutters, less expensive ready made window treatments are very affordable and can completely change the look of a room. As an added bonus, heavier curtains and thicker shades can save you money down the road, too, by keeping heat from escaping during the winter (and from entering in the summer). Some homeowners have reported that the addition of window treatments alone has made a marked difference in their utility bills all year round.

Installing an awning is a practical (and cheap!) remodeling idea for anyone who has an uncovered porch, patio, or deck. Having a place to relax outside is a great commodity, but if that space isn't covered, you're missing out on half the fun. A retractable awning installed over your outdoor hang-out space will allow you to enjoy the outdoors when it's raining, and can make being outside less uncomfortable when it's sunny. In some climates, supplementing your new awning with a portable heater can even allow you to enjoy your outdoor living areas during the winter!