There’s nothing more exciting than being able to design your own home.

Whether you’re building a new home or simply remodeling your existing home or apartment, being able to put your own touch and feel into a living space is a thrilling prospect.

5 ways to save money when designing your home

Unfortunately, it can also be a really expensive prospect. But putting your own stamp on your home does not have to break the bank. Here are five ways to save some money when designing or redesigning your home.

1. Avoid designer finishes

We all know that designer finishes are gorgeous, but most of the time you are simply paying for a brand name. Quality in a home is important, but just because one faucet is ten times the price of another does not mean it is ten times the quality.

Don’t be fooled into thinking that more money equals more quality

Do some research online and find finishes that look similar to designer finishes, that are also well rated. It is possible to get something at a good price that is also of good quality. Find the middle ground and you will save yourself a lot of money.

2. DIY what you can

Yes, it’s always easier to just let the professionals handle all the work. It sounds so much more appealing to let them have all the hassle and headache.

But the reality is, you don’t need a professional to do everything for you. Install your own ceiling fans, or whatever jobs you feel confident tackling on your own.

YouTube is a great tool to find out how to do simple tasks around your home. Use professionals for the difficult jobs like installing custom showers, but save whatever you can to do on our own. Picking up some of the odd jobs yourself will save you a lot of money over time.

3. Leave room for future growth

So many people say they just want to live in a house that’s ‘done’. But living in a home is a journey, not a destination.

Make your home livable now, but leave opportunities for future growth when your budget can handle more expense. Are you dying to have a pool in your backyard, but can’t afford it? Design your backyard with an idea of where the pool will go, and add it in the future when you have the money instead of maxing out your mortgage trying to pay for it now.

4. Shop sales

Don’t be afraid to tell your contractor that you’d like to purchase the items you use in your renovation or build. By doing it on your own you can shop sales and Craigslist to make sure you’re getting rock bottom prices for your materials.

5. Choose upgrades wisely

We all have budgets that we have to try and work within. No matter how much money you have, there will always be more you could add to make your home even more spectacular.

The thing to do is prioritize your upgrades and options and choose the upgrades that cannot be added later without a greater expense.

Are you trying to decide between a fireplace and a back patio? Choose the fireplace. A back patio can always be added later with a future bonus check or tax return. A fireplace is a much more costly thing to add in the future, as there are complicated, expensive structural changes that would need to take place.

Make the upgrades that cannot be added later your first priority

Are you hoping to finish your basement in the future? Opt to put in the rough in plumbing now to save you the hassle of trenching through concrete in the future. Choose your upgrades wisely and put off the rest for a future project.

Designing a home is a fun and exciting process. Put your own touch on your home without overspending. Follow these five tips to help keep the costs of your next renovation project down.

How do you find these tips? Would you like to add some more? Let me know in the comment section below!

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