Money Saving Tips for Revamping Rio Del Mar Beach Homes

Many people dream of buying Rio Del Mar beach homes, however, once they've purchased their dream Rio Del Mar beach homes, the real test of creativity and ingenuity often comes in. Creating the dream home you want on a budget!

Upgrade Your Hardware

You'd be surprised at what a difference new hardware, in the form of door handles, mailboxes and lights can make to your home's appearance. Look for bargain items that create the look you want for less at discount hardware stores like Home Depot, and since you can fit most of these yourself, there's no contractor required!

Add an Accent Color

Chances are, your Rio Del Mar beach home's a neutral color - which is great! Bright houses are tricky to pull off! That doesn't mean you need to avoid color altogether though. Why not choose a complimentary accent tone and spend the weekend adding color to doors, window frames, gutters and garage doors?
Choose a color in a similar tone to your house for a muted look, or opt for a bright sea green, blue or similar shade to evoke a feeling of the sea.

Give Your Entrance a Makeover

If your Rio Del Mar beach home's entry way is dull and dreary, why not put back the pizzazz? Add a timber bench or porch swing, or flank your door with topiaries in beautiful pots. Large wine vats, cut in half makes a great mini koi pond, with the addition of a few stones and a small pump, or why not add beautiful lights? There are even solar powered lights on the market that you can use to light up your pathway with no extra power usage!

Look for the Unconventional

You'd be amazed what can be used to give your house a great new look. For instance, instead of buying expensive pots for plants, why not use an old wheelbarrow, or even a steel watering can to house a plant, and look great.

Likewise, if you're looking for unique features, fittings and accents for your house, going to flea markets or junk shops can yield a great many items that may look battered, and the worse for wear, but could become beautiful with a little TLC. Old brass fittings will look new after they've received a good polish, while garden furniture can be given a new lease on life with a lick of paint, and maybe a new table top. If you really want to go wild, why not save up old broken dishes, and create a mosaic, either on a wall, or on one of your new "retro" garden furniture pieces.

If you're looking for items that are out of the ordinary, that will give your home a unique and one of a kind look, they may be as near as your own garage, so start looking around with a keen eye, and you should find a few diamonds in the rough.

All of the tips in this article on revamping Rio Del Mar beach homes are ideas that you can do yourself, with little more than a visit to a hardware store, but they're a great start when it comes to creating the Rio Del Mar beach home you've always dreamed of. You can learn more about Rio Del Mar beach home at propertyinsantacruz.com and cacoastalhome.com.

Gregg Rio is a Santa Cruz Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) who writes on senior topics and sells real estate in Rio Del Mar. Search for Rio Del Mar Beach Homes at www.propertyinsantacruz.com.