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Imagine if you were given the chance for a $100 home update. What would you spend that money on? At first, this might seem overwhelming, but also an exciting opportunity that you wouldn’t want to pass up. We asked five serial renovators what they would grab at Home Depot with that $100. Here are their answers, which will hopefully inspire you the next time you are roaming the aisles at a home improvement store looking for the best items to enhance your home without breaking the bank.
New Light Fixture
Amber Brandt is an interior decorator at The Coziness Consultant. She believes that you can have both fashion and function in one home upgrade. That’s why she would spend the gift card on a new overhead light fixture or a pair of wall sconces. “Lighting sets the proper tone for tasks and ambiance, and naturally serves as a design feature or focal point for your room,” says Brandt. “Plus, a lighting upgrade is a simple and cost-effective way to transform a dated space into one that reads more modern and aesthetic.”
You can find her on Instagram @thecozinessconsultant.
Paint and Painting Tools
It’s no surprise that a painter would choose to spend a Home Depot gift card on paint supplies. Bart Caldwell of Caldwell Painting in Cordova, Tennessee, thinks the best way to transform your entire home is a fresh coat of paint. “I would start with the Wooster 3-pack of brushes, which will be perfect for your trim painting,“ he says. “Next, I would invest in a good roller, roller cover, and rolling pole. You will also want to grab yourself a roller tray and a pack of liners. The last thing you need is a drop cloth.” Now you are all set to paint your house once you pick your favorite paint colors.
You can find him on Instagram at @caldwell.painting and YouTube @caldwellpainting.
Knobs and Pulls
Lisa Mabey is a designer and founder of Lisee Ree Designs in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her years of design expertise have been honed and guided through both formal education and hands-on experience. After moving 10 times in a single decade, Mabey became adept at quickly and efficiently creating the feeling of home regardless of the dwelling’s condition or the length of time she lived there. She and her husband have completely renovated multiple homes to maximize the potential of each house to fit their family’s style and needs, and have overseen the design of multiple partial remodels.
When given a gift card, she would focus on the kitchen and bathrooms. “I’d update the knobs and pulls in a bathroom or kitchen,” she says. “Even if you don’t have a large budget, updating the hardware in your existing spaces can give you a huge visual return for very little effort no matter how old the cabinetry is. It’s a simple way to make your space shine.”
You can find her on Instagram at @liseereedesigns.
Decorative Address Numbers and Front Door Paint
Natalie Warady styles, stages, designs, and renovates homes in Colorado. She is in the process of renovating her 1974 mid-century modern home, which has needed everything updated. She would like to use the gift card to help feel more satisfied with how the exterior of the home looks.
“I think two purchases would help the exterior look less chaotic and more elevated,” she says. “First off, the address numbers on the home look like they were purchased at a craft store and hand-painted. I’d replace these with Everbuilt Modern Matte finish address numbers.” With the remainder, she would buy paint to freshen up the front door. “It is currently an odd shade of plum burgundy that doesn’t speak to the angular entry lines of the home.”
You can find her on Instagram @natalie_warady.
Power Washer and Front Door Paint
Alice T. Chan is a renovation specialist with the home renovation company Freemodel. She has spent nearly two decades working with real estate and homeowner clients as an interior renovation and design specialist, professional home stager, and home selling strategist throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. She was also the co-host and designer for HGTV’s reality real estate show, Power Broker.
“If you’re ready to kick off your home renovation and build some momentum, start with your home’s exterior,” she advises. “A quick refresh outside will inspire you to continue the transformation inside.”
Her Home Depot gift card wish includes a power washer and paint for the front door. “First, rent a power washer. A 4-hour rental costs $55. Use it to blast away dirt and grime from your house, porch, walkways, driveway, and other hardscapes. Trust me, this is one of the most satisfying home maintenance projects you’ll ever do.” Mind the clock, though, because your $100 home update budget covers only a 4-hour rental. “With $45 left in your budget, grab a gallon of semi-gloss black paint and give your front door a fresh look. It’s a minor update that instantly boosts curb appeal.”
Bonus tip: If you can borrow a power washer from a friend, then Chan recommends using that $55 to upgrade your porch light fixture. “A modern fixture can transform your entryway,” she says.
You can find her on Instagram @alicetchan/.
