Buying a home is a big decision. Between the mortgage commitment, the down-payment, taxes, and insurance – it can add up. Not to mention the neighborhood, schools, community amenities, and all the other things that make a living in a particular place perfect for your family.

In short, there is a lot to consider, and it can be a daunting process to work through. A recent survey found that a consistent reason why people buy homes is the freedom to personalize it at will.

Apartments, unlike your home, cannot be customized without permission and you may have to pay to undo the change once you leave. Your home is your castle. You can change or do anything you want to it.

Personalizing your home does not have to be expensive. Here are five tips to make it yours without breaking the bank.

Add A Fresh Coat Of Paint

Painting your walls is a great interior design project to tackle without spending too much money. A fresh coat of paint can update any room. A lot of people like to coordinate the colors in each room, which creates a character for your home (breaking up the monotony that white or eggshell walls can create). Moreover, painting is easy. You can find the paint you want online and pick it up in store.

But if you do take on a painting project, make sure you budget your time (you don’t want to be up at 3:00 a.m. on a Sunday night trying to finish. You can’t stop painting a room halfway through because the paint will dry at different intervals and you can see the difference. We recommend picking up the paint in the morning (around 10:00 a.m. to avoid contractors) and budget the entire afternoon on a Saturday.

Update Your Lighting

Lighting is another easy way to change or personalize your home and just to have fun. Some people even adjust the lighting in their rooms every few months - to keep it fresh.

Even changing the location of standing lamps can instantly alter the character of a room. If you have recessed lighting, change out the bulbs for a brighter, newer light. You can also add a hanging fixture (IKEA has a lot of affordable, chic choices).

Install Bathroom Fixtures

Bathroom fixtures are another easy way to customize your home. The cheapest fixtures to replace are the showerhead, tiling, and faucets (rather than changing the vanity). You can think even smaller, change the soap dispensers, add a standing shelf, hanging photos or picture frames, etc. If your bathroom has a lot of lighter fixtures, maybe switch them out for gunmetal or a rustic look. You can completely change a bathroom’s character for less than $200 in fixtures and one weekend afternoon.

Swap Out Window Treatments

Window treatments are another quick change to personalize a home. Consider adding blinds or curtains to change the way light enters your home. Window treatments change both the character of the light and add additional privacy.

Window treatments also increase the insulation efficiency of your home. You also don’t need to limit yourself to curtains or blinds; you can change the glass in your windows.

Increase Curb Appeal With Outdoor Features

Outdoor features are also easy to change. You can plant shrubs, flowers, trees, etc. – all kinds of goodies. Moreover, outdoor features increase the curb appeal of your home.

Yes, we spend most of our time inside our homes (so it should be a priority) but don’t neglect the way your home is presented to the world. This could even be as simple as adding a personalized address plaque.

When you’re leaving your home and glance back seeing an elegant presentation of plants and features, you will instantly be put in a good mood knowing your home looks good. Furthermore, plants are shown to reduce stress – so you can never have too many of those around.

If you’re looking to buy or sell, call Steele San Diego Homes at 619.887.4429. We offer a wide range of services designed to make your life simpler and easier. Steele San Diego Homes is built on a personal touch, making your experience pleasurable and seamless.