Renovating or redecorating doesn't have to mean spending your life’s savings. Whatever your reason – preparing to sell, updating a rental or simply refreshing your home – the key is focusing your budget on where it will have the most impact.
Avoid overcapitalising. In short, avoid spending more on improvements than you're likely to recover when you sell. Even if moving isn't on the cards, understanding your home's value can help shape renovation decisions. A local real estate agent can often provide a free appraisal and advice on which upgrades are most likely to add value.
Before starting any project, be clear on your non-negotiables; your goals and budget. Costs can add up through small purchases and upgrades, so keep track of spending from the start. Savings in one area can be put towards improvements elsewhere if needed.
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Focus on kitchens and bathrooms
Kitchens and bathrooms are often the most expensive rooms to renovate, but they can also be refreshed without a full overhaul.
Repainting cabinetry is one of the easiest ways to transform these spaces. Laminate cabinets can be primed with Resene Laminate and Melamine Primer before painting, while varnished timber cabinets should be sealed with Resene Waterborne Sureseal. Finish with Resene Lustacryl in your chosen colour and update the handles for an affordable makeover, you may even find some gems at your local second-hand store.
Cooking, moisture and everyday grime can quickly dull your kitchen’s appearance, so be sure to use a low sheen or flat finish on ceilings such as the washable Resene SpaceCote range which helps hide imperfections while remaining practical.
Bathrooms will benefit from a deep clean before any decorating begins. Resene Interior Paintwork Cleaner and Resene Moss & Mould Killer can help refresh surfaces before repainting cabinets, trims and ceilings.
In both spaces, storage is a smart place to spend money. Extra cupboards, shelving and organisers improve functionality and are an investment you'll appreciate every day.
Refresh outdoor areas
Dark earthy greens paired with terracotta are a matchmade in heaven. Give your courtyard a sophisticated Mediterranean feel likethis space. The exterior walls are in Resene Resitex texture coating (you canalso use the new MyArtisan) in Resene Quarter Karaka. The floor is in HotAugust with FX Paint Effects Medium mixed with Tuscany and ‘grout’ linespainted in Tuscany. Chair and Table from Matisse. Project by Amber Armitage,image by Melanie Jenkins.
If you're looking to improve street appeal, outdoor spaces can often be done for excellent value.
Clean timber decks with Resene Deck and Timber Wash and revive them with Resene Woodsman Wood Oil Stain or Woodsman Decking Oil Stain. Fences can also be refreshed with darker stains such as Woodsman Charred Black or Tiri, creating a modern backdrop for planting.
Concrete paths and steps should be cleaned with Resene Paint Prep and Housewash, followed by Resene Moss & Mould Killer. For a bigger transformation, add colour with Resene Non-Skid Deck & Path paint or Resene Walk-on.
Simple updates such as repainting outdoor furniture, pergolas and trim can also make a noticeable difference without stretching budget.
Choosing the right colours
While many homeowners turn to white when redecorating, especially in the event of resale, not every white works in every room. The wrong shade can make a space feel cold or uninspiring.
Warmer neutrals such as Resene Double Tea, Eighth Canterbury Clay and Double Tana can add softness and character while still appealing to a wide audience.
If you love a crisp all-white look, layer different tones together to create depth. Combining shades such as Eighth Black White, Double Black White and Alabaster can make a room feel more welcoming and considered.
A classicwhite is an obvious choice to draw in potential buyers, and if you’re notselling right away, it also allows you to make the space your own throughaccented décor and accessories. In this living room, the walls and ceiling arepainted in Resene Quarter Bianca, floor in Resene Walk-on Half Sour Dough. Sofaand table from Soren Liv, lamp from Obery, art by Greer Clayton. Project byAmber Armitage, image by Melanie Jenkins.
However, if you’re decorating your forever home, the colour wheel is your oyster. Start with some testpots or a smaller room and test out those bright or dark hues you’ve always wanted to try.
Create a home that works for you. Thoughtful updates, careful budgeting and well-chosen colours can deliver a fresh new look without the need for a major renovation.
Resene pro tips for budget decorating:
“Small amounts of colour can have a huge impact in bringing a tired space to life. Paint decorative shapes with a few Resene testpots on small pieces like pots or a shelf. Then try adding painted colour or wallpaper offcuts to an upcycled dresser. These small projects are also easy to update or change over time,” says Meryl Southey, Resene Colour Expert
Nature-inspired hues are timeless, and you can never gowrong with greens. In this dining space the back wall is painted in Resene EauDe Nil, left wall in Ted, floor in Resene Walk-on in Alabaster. Table andchairs from Soren Liv. Project by Amber Armitage, image by Melanie Jenkins.
“A simple block of colour in any room is simple, cost-effective and adds immediate character. Try it behind a piece of art, cabinet or table, on a section of wall or even a section of floor or ceiling. It can also be easily painted over for a neutral or a different colour if that’s best for selling,” says Jackie Nicholls, Resene Colour Consultant
If you need help getting starting or deciding on the colours that best suit your home, come in and visit your local Resene ColorShop, Ask a Resene Colour Expert free online, www.resene.com/colourexpert or book a Resene Colour Consultation free instore or virtually or a paid home visit in selected areas, www.resene.com/colourconsult.
