With the start of a new year, it may be time to think about making some home improvements. All homes require upkeep and maintenance in order for them to look their best and keep working correctly. If you are a homeowner or someone who is renting a property, take a look at both the interior and the exterior of your home and think about what could (or needs to) be done.

If you own a home, you have greater flexibility for making improvements. If your property is rented, improvements can come via the aesthetics. Consider how you stylise the rooms and think about the accessories that you could use (like laying a rug to improve the look of the floor and to stop any heat from escaping).

*This rug adds texture and a focal point in a kichen diner.*

From an affordable standpoint, look to those little problems that would improve your daily life if you took the time to fix them. Is there a draught coming through the doors or windows? If so, why not invest in some thick draught tape that can be easily applied around the gaps? Does a room look a little tired? Why not freshen it up with a new coat of paint?

If you have been saving and have a bigger budget, look to fix those bigger problems that could result in larger issues further down the line. If you have water stains on your ceiling, there might be a problem with the roof that could only get worse. Get your roof checked out and see if any tiles or roofing battens need replacing.

To help start your project, here are some suggestions on how to improve your property from the inside to out. From elevating the look of your garden to interior suggestions on enhancing the inside of your home.

Inside your property

These three home decor ideas will have a transformative effect if you are looking to upgrade the interior:

Update your furniture

Updating your furniture does not necessarily mean replacing it. Think about what you already own, why it is not working and how you can improve it. It could be as simple as thinking where else it could work in your home. If that side table is too small in the living room, think about relocating it to the bathroom to accommodate hand towels or a small posy of flowers to brighten up the space. It might be that you own a piece of furniture that is functional, but you do not like the look of it. Consider painting it in a bright, bold shade that brings you joy every time you walk into the room. You could also hack your existing furniture by adding decorative mouldings and a new top for a complete refresh.

besta ikea hack — *This basic white IKEA BESTA was hacked to look brand new.*

Decorate your walls

Wallpaper is really trending in home decor right now and it’s a great way to adorn your walls with pattern and colour, as well as hide any stains, marks or small hairline cracks. If you are renting, why not try removable wallpaper? Self-adhesive wallpapers are currently proving very popular as they are applied without the need for paste, meaning the paper will not damage the walls when removed.

If you are more of a minimalist and wallpaper isn’t your thing, why not try panelling your walls instead? This is a relatively easy DIY with maximum impact; you can purchase wall panel kits inexpensively from your local DIY store.

For something a bit simpler, artwork adds colour as well as a touch of your personality. Alternatively, large mirrors bounce around the light and give the illusion that a room is bigger and brighter. Wavy-edged mirrors are currently a popular look and can be found for a good price in high street stores.

wavy edged wood mirror — *Image credit: John Lewis*

Paint Your Kitchen Cupboards

For a total refresh, why not use kitchen cupboard paint to instantly transform a tired kitchen into something that looks completely different? Rust-Oleum sells a fantastic range of kitchen cabinet paint where no sanding or priming is required beforehand. Other ideas to improve your kitchen include replacing all the hardware or laying down some self-adhesive floor tiles to cover up a worn or ugly floor.

Outside your property

The outside of your property is just as important as the inside. Here are three things to consider when trying to improve the outside of your home.

Smarten up your Home Entrance

First impressions count and a messy frontage containing dead plants, a scruffy front door and dirty windows will your home down. When the weather starts to warm up a little, consider painting your front door alongside giving your outdoor window ledges and frames a deep clean. Pot up fresh, thriving plants outside your doorway and remember to keep them watered!

Replace broken fences

Fences broken by storms and wildlife will make your garden look tatty. If you cannot afford to have broken fences professionally replaced, think of ways to temporarily cover any damage. Bamboo fencing or garden screens are easy to install and can hide a multitude of sins, while fast-growing foliage is an attractive and cheaper alternative to build up fenced areas around your garden.

Add Seasonal Decor

If you don’t have the time or the money for any big improvements, adding a touch of seasonal decor will instantly cheer up the exterior of your home and will be enjoyed by those walking or driving past. Door wreaths can be made from natural items foraged locally or in your garden, while craft stores sell a wide range of inexpensive seasonal home decor items.