Every homeowner dreams of a beautiful new kitchen, an Instagram-worthy living room, or a lush outdoor landscape. While some homeowners save for years to renovate their dream home, others take matters into their own hands with DIY projects, innovative interior design, and some help from local contractors.

Even if you’re planning for major renovations, it’s possible to update the look and feel of your home without breaking the bank. Instead of waiting years for your dream home, here are some simple ways to give your home an instant refresh.

1. Treat Your Home’s Exterior to a Fresh Coat of Paint

Exterior painting is a quick, simple way to change the look of your home. We all want our homes to look great, and a high-quality paint job can instantly upgrade your home’s curb appeal.

Although a professional paint job can be a significant investment, the benefits of a paint job go far beyond a fresh, new look. A painting project not only protects your home’s exterior against the elements but also adds value to your home by grabbing the attention of potential buyers. The color of existing paint can change over time, and UV rays and exposure to the elements can cause fading. An exterior paint job is the quickest way to make your home look brighter and cleaner.

If you’re thinking about hiring a painting contractor, you’ll want to choose a professional house painter with a proven painting process. If you’re not sure where to start, try asking friends and family for recommendations or performing a quick Google search, such as “house painters in Phoenix.”

2. Breathe Life Into Your Space With Indoor Plants

Whether you’re bored of your living room, kitchen, or bedroom, houseplants can make all the difference in your décor. From colorful leaves to fresh blooms, indoor plants breathe life into your space. By bringing the freshness of the outdoors inside, you can create a mini garden to enjoy year-round.

Decorating with houseplants not only transforms your home into a serene oasis but offers countless benefits to your health and well-being. Studies show that indoor plants produce extra oxygen, reduce stress, and can even boost your productivity.

If you don’t have a green thumb, try ordering a houseplant for sale online to keep on your windowsill. On the other hand, if you’re an experienced plant parent, you can go all out and create your own indoor jungle filled with ZZ plants, orchids, and other varieties of plants. No matter how you choose to decorate, houseplants can add a much-needed pop of color to any indoor space.

3. Create Open, Airy Spaces With Better Lighting Solutions

Sometimes, smaller changes can take your home to the next level. If you’re looking for simple ways to change your home without major renovations, consider updating your home’s lighting solutions.

Lighting choices can make or break your interior design. Replacing outdated, inefficient lights with modern bulbs, fixtures, and switches not only helps your home save energy but also gives your home a brand-new look. A dim, poorly lit room looks small, dark, and cramped while a brightly lit room feels open, airy, and inviting.

Even if you’re working with a smaller space, there are various ways to brighten your home with better lighting. For example, to breathe new life into a dark living room, try strategically placing table lamps and floor lamps to brighten dim corners. For an even brighter space, layer this lighting with overhead lights to make your room feel extra cozy.

Remember: Lighting is so much more than overhead fixtures and table lamps. In addition to functional task lighting, consider replacing old, heavy curtains to bring in more natural light. You could also uplight houseplants by hiding small spotlights next to planters, turning the spotlight at a 45-degree angle to highlight the plant’s foliage.

Whether your home needs a complete makeover or some simple updates, it’s possible to make your home feel brand new on a budget. At the end of the day, small changes—from exterior paint to updated decor—can instantly refresh your entire home.