These 10 Affordable Home Upgrades Will Make Your Fall Fun

Fall is on the way, and for homeowners, that means more than swinging by the local coffee shop for some pumpkin spice deliciousness. It means it's time to give your house a thorough cleaning and update it for the coming holidays. How can you do so on a budget, though?

It's easier than you think. The following 10 upgrades will allow you to give your living space a refresher without breaking the bank. In no time, your houseguests will ooh and aah over how you rock adulting like a boss.

1. Create an Accent Wall

You may lack the budget to repaint your entire home, but adding a colorful accent wall creates a focal point in any living area. You can use it as a backdrop for photo collages, or you can simply create a more inviting look. Tones such as yellow and red invite energy and work well for family and game rooms. Hues such as lavender, blue and green calm the mind and work well for bedrooms.

2. Go Crazy With Colorful Pillows and Throws

Autumn means cooler temps, and what better way to curl up on the couch with a book than with some comfy pillows and throws? Go a bit crazy at your favorite department store — since accent pillows cost only $10-$20 on average, you can afford to splurge on new colors. If you have a crafty family member, ask them to knit you throw blankets as a gift to save even more money, perhaps in exchange for you cooking them your famous lasagna.

3. Craft an Autumnal Centerpiece

Celebrate the spirit of the season with a colorful centerpiece for your dining room and kitchen tables. You can head out to a wild area and pick blooms if you don't have allergies. If goldenrod makes you sneeze, you can use gourds and apples to create a bountiful basket that adds a decorative touch.

4. Redo Your Outdoor Landscaping

Welcome guests to your home by planting a fall garden. You'll want to insulate with a 3-inch cover of mulch to maintain soil moisture as temperatures drop. Flowers such as chrysanthemums, aster and coneflower add color and do well as days grow shorter.

5. Upgrade Your Lighting Game

Do you have dark, heavy curtains? As the days grow shorter, this can make your home look like a cave. Consider taking down the drapes and applying quality window tint film for privacy. This allows natural light to stream in without letting miscreants view your private moments.

Invest in some inexpensive LED lights for under kitchen cabinetry. You can illuminate cookbooks without the higher energy output of overhead fluorescents. Replace dull, stained lampshades with new ones.

6. Add Some Trim

Do your walls meet your floors with nary a bit of trim? Upgrade your property value instantly by adding some stylish baseboards for a more finished look. You can paint it in a similar hue as your paint or stain it in natural wood tones for a Tudor look.

7. Install Cabinet Fixtures

Are your cabinets bare? Do your kiddos open them with dirty fingers? Eliminate stains and add a classy touch by installing fixtures. Knobs cost little at hardware stores and upgrade your kitchen without needing to paint or invest in new appliances.

8. Get Some New Kitchen Gadgets

Maybe your budget won't allow you to install that double oven you covet, but certain gadgets can make your fall and holiday cooking much easier. Air fryers enable you to reheat takeout without turning it into microwave mush. Countertop rotisseries make Sunday chicken dinners a breeze, and electric salad shooters will have you eating more of the green, healthy stuff.

9. Winterproof Your Outdoor Space

Do you have a covered deck or patio that you use during summer? Consider constructing some inexpensive 2x2 frames, lining them with plastic or silicon, and installing these "windows" to create a greenhouse effect on the cheap. Depending on the materials used, you may not enjoy full use on the most frigid days. However, you can extend the life of your outdoor fun — and get your kids out in the sun to produce some vitamin D naturally.

10. Make Your Entryway Welcoming

When you get home at the end of a long day, do you want to trip over a pile of shoes and umbrellas when you enter? Invest in a proper shoe rack so family members can doff their dog covers neatly. Purchase an organizer for keys, mail and other items. Add a pair of stately snake plants — houseplants improve indoor air quality and add elegance to nearly any entry.

Updating Your Home's Look for Fall

It need not cost much to update your home's look for the change of season. By following the tips above, your house will look refreshed and ready for holiday fun.