How To Modernize Your Home On A Budget

How do you make an old house look modern without spending a fortune? I’ve learned a lot about how to modernize your home on a tight budget, from working on not only my own homes, but also my parents’ mountain home and our airbnb property.

Whether you’re tackling one room at a time or doing small updates here and there, there are plenty of ways to modernize your home without gutting it completely. 

15 Ways to Modernize Your Home

From simple swaps to easy DIYs, these ideas will help you make your old home feel fresh, current, and full of personality. Let’s jump in!

1. Replace Your Switch Plates

One of the easiest ways to modernize your home is to replace any old, outdated switch plates. This might sound like a tiny change, but it’s these small touches that really make a difference to the overall look of your home.

If your house has yellowing or mismatched light switch covers, consider swapping them out for something sleeker. Brushed metal, matte black, and even plain white plates will immediately make your home feel more modern.

And don’t worry if you can’t afford to splash out on brand new switch plates. You can refresh your current ones with a bit of paint that complements the rest of your decor.

2. Upgrade Door Handles and Knobs

Swapping out basic builder-grade door handles is another easy way to modernize a home on a budget. These days, there are so many stylish options out there. Check out my post about stylish designer door knobs to get an idea!

Again, it’s all about sleek materials and finishes. Personally, I love gold, so you’ll find gold door knobs throughout my home.

3. Update Faucets, Shower Heads, and Sinks

Replacing any dated faucets with sleek, modern ones will make a huge difference to your kitchens and bathrooms.

The same goes for any shower heads. Seriously, going from an old, grimy shower head to a shiny new one is such a good feeling!

If your budget allows, consider replacing your sinks too. Even if your sinks don’t feel super dated, switching them for ones that look really contemporary, like those large, rectangular sinks, will instantly make your home look more modern. 

1. DEWENWILS Metal Outlet Covers
2. TMC Gold Cabinet Handle Pull
3. Emtek Square Rosette Lever
4. CLCTK Crystal Glass Door Knob
5. MODE Premium Collection Curtain Rod Set
6. Coocure acrylic curtain rod set
7. Moen Brushed Gold Bathroom Faucet Trim Kit
8. EZANDA Brass Bathroom Faucet

4. Update the Window Dressings

When thinking about how to modernize your home, don’t forget about window treatments! Outdated blinds, flimsy rods, and tired curtains keep your home stuck in the past. 

Start by replacing basic plastic or metal curtain rods with more stylish alternatives. Matte black and brushed brass are great for a more modern look. Pair them with updated curtain rings, new tie-backs, and new curtains or blinds.

Make sure to hang your curtains several inches above the top of the window frame to make the room feel taller. Extend the rod about 10 inches past each side of the window, to make sure the curtains frame the window nicely. These little details will help your old home feel brighter, more spacious, and therefore more modern.

5. Refresh Light Fixtures and Ceiling Fans

Lighting can make or break a room, especially if you have a small home, and updating your light fixtures is one of the most transformative ways to modernize your home. And there are so many gorgeous options out there now, whether you prefer minimalist pendants or glamorous chandeliers.

I’ve been slowly working my way through my own home, swapping out builder-grade lights for new light fixtures. Adding a crystal chandelier to the dining room instantly gave the room a more polished feel. I love it! You can see some of my favorite light fixtures here.

Now let’s talk ceiling fans. I used to think they were all bulky and outdated. But I was overjoyed to discover that modern ceiling fans do exist, and some are downright stunning! So have a look around to find one that works with your style.

If you’re not ready to replace your lights and fans, don’t worry. Take a look at my round-up of genius ideas for updating old light fixtures on a budget.

1. Cordless Table Lamp (Gold)
2. Modern style battery operated pendant light
3. Cordless Table Lamp (Black-1)
4. Picture Lights for Wall
5. Battery Operated Wall Sconce Set
6. Savoy House Diana LED Fan D’Lier in Warm Brass
7. Boho Rattan Chandelier Ceiling Fan
8. TINTINDOC 2-Pack Picture Light
9. Sofucor Ceiling Fan

6. Remove Popcorn Ceilings

Okay, real talk. Nothing dates a home faster than a popcorn ceiling. I know that might sound dramatic, but honestly… I think popcorn ceilings might be one of the worst interior design choices of all time. If you’re serious about modernizing your home, the popcorn HAS to go!

The good news? You can tackle it yourself 

Here’s my process: I start by spraying the ceiling with plain water using a squirt bottle, just enough to dampen it. Then I scrape the popcorn texture off. Once the ceiling is clear, I smooth things out with a thin layer of joint compound. After it dries completely, I sand it down.

It’s messy, sure. But it’s also one of those small changes that completely transforms the look of your home. Suddenly, your space feels taller, brighter, and a whole lot more modern.

7. Replace (or Cover) That Old Carpet

I actually love carpet, for many reasons. But if your home still has that weird, worn-out 80s carpet that looks like it’s been through several lifetimes… it might be time to let it go.

I once had the ugliest carpet that ever there was – a mint green monstrosity covered in mystery stains. Bleurgh.

If your budget allows, replacing carpet with new flooring is a no-brainer. And while you could just go for a more contemporary style of carpet, you could also consider switching to hardwood, laminate, or other wood-look flooring, for a more sleek and modern look.

Don’t worry if a full flooring redo isn’t an option though. You can make your old home feel more modern by layering in a beautiful area rug.

That’s exactly what I did in my parents’ home. Replacing the carpet wasn’t an option, so I laid a big, bold rug over the top. It added color, texture, and pattern all at once. See the full living room makeover here.

8. Install Smart Tech

One of the smartest ways to make your home feel like it belongs in the 21st Century? Make it a smart home!

So much of the technology we have access to now didn’t exist in the past, so if your home has some smart features, it’ll instantly look more up-to-date.

Start with smart bulbs, since they’re the simplest option. I wrote a whole post about why I love smart bulbs, but let me just say that they’re more than just a gadget. You can adjust lighting, change the mood, and even automate your schedule to save energy. They’re a great way to dip your toe into the world of smart technology.

Other modern amenities to consider include a Ring doorbell, keyless entry locks, a smart thermostat, or even motion-sensing lights.

9. Update Your Doors

Doors have a surprisingly big impact on the feel of a home, so giving your doors some attention is a small change that can make a big difference.

Both exterior and interior doors can be updated on a budget. In most cases, you can take a standard, builder-basic door and turn it into something that looks custom and high-end with a little paint and some trim. Think: bold paint colors, simple panel molding, or elegant beading details.

Pair your upgrades with a stylish new door handle, and your doors will be good as new!

10. Cover or Paint Dated Tiles

Whether they’re avocado green, bizarrely floral, or just tired and stained, old tiles can make your home feel stuck in the past.

But the good news is, you don’t have to rip everything out and retile to get a modern look. Here are a few budget-friendly ideas to breathe new life into those old tiles:

• Refresh the grout – A grout pen is super easy to use and can make tiles look surprisingly new again.
• Paint over them – Yep, tile paint is a thing! You can even use stencils to add a funky pattern.
• Lay adhesive tiles – These peel-and-stick tiles go right on top of your existing ones, and they come in all kinds of modern styles.
• Add a rug – For tile floors, sometimes a simple rug can do the trick. 

These are some of my favorite contemporary-looking adhesive tiles:

1. Fish Scale Peel and Stick Wall Tile (Emerald Green)
2. Green Peel and Stick Backsplash Herringbone Tile
3. Large Premium Peel and Stick Backsplash (Turquoise Green)
4. Avant Decor Mother of Pearl Mosaic Tile (Pearl White Subway)
5. STICKGOO Subway Tile Peel and Stick Backsplash (Pink)
6. VAOVI Peel and Stick Hexagon Marble Tile (Beige Gold)
7. Smart Tiles Peel and Stick Backsplash (Agadir Blue)
8. Decopus Metal Tile Backsplash (Hexagon Copper Gold)
9. CRE8TIVE Emerald Green Hexagon Wall Tile Stickers

Who knows, you might even be able to turn your ugly, old tiles into the showstopper in your room!

11. Paint Cabinets and Built-Ins

If your old house is full of dated wooden cabinets and chunky built-ins, don’t assume you need to rip them out to modernize your home. With a little creativity, you can give them a completely fresh look.

I actually added built-ins to my living room and they definitely don’t look old fashioned! I painted them a really dark blue, so they look super sleek and custom. If you have existing ones that feel outdated, a fresh coat of paint and some modern hardware will work wonders, I promise!

All you need to do is sand and prime the surfaces and then paint them in a contemporary color. You could also remove some of the cabinet doors, to turn cupboards into open shelving, which should feel lighter and more modern.

You could also look into replacing or covering the countertop, like I did with my bathroom vanity.

12. Add or Update Moldings and Baseboards

Upgrading molding, baseboards, and trim is such a great way to modernize your home! Simply adding some moulding to the top of your walls can take the room from “meh” to “wow.”

If your home has small, outdated baseboards, consider swapping them for taller versions. Or if you don’t want to take them off, try this cheeky trick! Add a thin strip of molding an inch or two above your current baseboards, then paint both the molding and the space between, to create the illusion of one tall, fancy-looking baseboard!

Even just painting old baseboards a crisp white will make them look newer and help them pop against the walls. Especially if your home is full or dark wooden trim. 

These small changes might seem subtle, but they really add up to make a big difference in how modern your home feels.

13. Get Rid of Dated Wallpaper (Or Learn to Work With It)

If you’re wondering how to modernize your home, and your home still has wallpaper from the ’70s, ’80s, or even early 2000s, dealing with the wallpaper is a must!

In an ideal world, you’d strip off the old wallpaper and either paint the walls or hang a more contemporary style of wallpaper. But if that’s not possible, there are plenty of other things you can try:

• Hide it: Hang wall decor like tapestries, framed art, bulletin boards, or even curtains.
• Work with it: Use contrast to pull the focus away from the wallpaper. For example, pair a floral wallpaper with sleek, geometric patterns and clean lines in your furniture.
• Minimize the impact: If the wallpaper feels dark and drab, bring in more lighting to brighten the space. 
• Distract: Add bold statement pieces like a striking mirror, an ornate chandelier, or oversized frames, to draw the eye away from the walls.
• Tie it in: Use some of the colors from the wallpaper in your textiles and accessories, to help it blend in and feel more cohesive.

With a little creativity, even the most questionable wallpaper can be toned down or styled to feel more intentional!

14. Cover Up Ugly Features

Old homes can come with some truly unfortunate design “features,” seemingly put there to annoy you! From rusted radiators to awkward pipes or dated heater boxes, these eyesores can really throw off the modern look you’re going for.

Take my parents’ house, for example. They had this old, clunky heater that completely ruined the feel of the room. So I built a simple cover using MDF, and with a little paint and love, it looked like a stylish, built-in piece!

A few pieces of MDF or plywood, some paint, or even faux tiles can completely disguise something dated and make it feel deliberate and modern. Just be sure not to block anything that needs ventilation or access (like air vents or valves).

15. Update Your Furniture

One of the easiest ways to modernize your home is by updating the furniture. Swapping out heavy, dated pieces for sleek, contemporary pieces makes such a difference. But that doesn’t mean you need to go out and buy a whole house worth of brand new furniture!

Try thrifting or browsing online marketplaces for gently used furniture in modern styles. There are some serious bargains to be had!

Alternatively, try your hand at upcycling. You can take almost any piece of old furniture and give it a glow-up. For example:

• Update a dated floral couch with a simple sofa cover.
• Paint or stain almost everything!
• Reupholster old chairs.
• Add new legs, handles, or trim to cabinets and dressers.

Seriously, there are so many ways to give old furniture a more current look. Here are some of my favorite ways to transform outdated furniture.

Small Changes, Big Impact

You don’t need to knock down walls or spend a ton of money to give your space a more modern look. Whether you start by switching out knobs or revamping your furniture, each small step adds up to a space that feels more current, more beautiful, and more you.

So pick a project and go for it!