By Imani Dada

Sure owning a home can be a positive and rewarding experience, but it can also create a continuous leak in your bank account. It’s one of the few drawbacks I discovered when I bought my first home. Take renovations: reusing and recycling can save money on home renovation costs, but you’ve got several other options at your disposal. Use these tips to hold on to more of your money while sprucing up your home.

Clinch Close-out Deals

Stores about to close their doors offer deals up to 70 percent or higher, which means you can walk away with that coveted picture, rug, sofa or modern lighting fixture for a fraction of what you would pay at retail. Scour online and newspaper classified ads for announcements of close-out sales. Some of the big department chains, such as JC Penney, also post close-out deals on their website.

Get Free DIY Help

Chances are you can tackle some of the jobs around your home on your own to save money on home renovation costs. But if you’re feeling a bit DIY-shy, sign up for free how-to workshops at stores such as Home Depot, which offers weekly workshops on jobs such as transforming kitchen cabinets, wallpapering or laying tiles.

Buy Online

Some of your favourite home decorating stores provide stiff competition for brick-and-mortar establishments, with discounts deep enough to offset the price of shipping. Online shopping is especially good for accessories, which are way overpriced more often than not and don’t require a lot of first-hand inspection. If you’re on a deadline, make sure the online store can deliver the goods on time.

Use Coupons to Save Money on Home Renovation Costs

Sites such as DealsPl.us and Canadian Free Stuff take the work out of surfing the Internet for coupons to some of North America’s most popular home decor and reno stores, such as Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, Home Outfitters and Lowe’s. In most cases, you can either download a coupon to use in-store, or grab a coupon code for online shopping.

Swap Jobs

Have a few friends or relatives who are handy around the home? Get them to pitch in on jobs you feel are way beyond your skills, whether that’s building a fence or installing a window. In return, offer to do jobs for them, especially the ones they hate to do and that you’re particularly good at. This is a good faith bargain, so make sure you return the favour as soon as possible as your DIY helper has completed yours.

Use Angie’s List

If your entire social circle are all thumbs in the home-reno department, look for reliable contractors who won’t gouge you at Angie’s List. The site offers reviews and exclusive discounts of up to 70 percent from some of the businesses listed.

Consider the Seasons

Keep the time of year in mind as it can also help you save money on home renovation costs, including décor. For instance, the end of summer is a good time to stock up on outdoor furniture and gazebos as stores hurry to bring in fall and winter products.

Check Out LuxeYard

If you have a taste for higher-end furnishings but a budget that doesn’t usually let you afford them, surf by LuxeYard.com. The site relies on social networks to help choose products and set prices on brand name furniture, offering discounts up to 70 percent in some cases. Learn more about this luxury furnishings website here.

COPYRIGHT © Pepperpot.ca

Image: FreeDigitalPhotos.net