A new look doesn’t have to cost a lot of money

"The main dangers in this life are the people who want to change everything ... or nothing." — Nancy Witcher Langhorne Astor (1879-1964), the first female member of British Parliament

Spring is not far away and at this time of year we all get itchy feet to do something around the house. After holiday recovery — putting away the decorations and cleaning up the house — we're ready to do something else.

It's not quite springtime here in the desert, but we can still start thinking about new changes inside.

Almost all of us get the urge for new things for our homes. This urge can range from boredom to a desire for a new look.

We can't all afford to "start over," but in some respects, it's both good and bad. If you have excess cash, now is a good time to buy those new things because you can still find bargains. It's a great time of year for that.

However, if you don't have a lot of extra cash, you can still spiff up your house for not a lot of money and satisfy those spring fever urges. Get those creative juices flowing.

First of all do the big spring cleaning. It's amazing what you might turn up while cleaning out closets and seldom-used drawers and cabinets. Anytime you start a new project or want to get a new start, it helps to do it with a clean slate. A clean house and organized closets and storage places are great starts.

Let's go from cleaning to see how we can use our wits and not much money. Most of these changes do have a price tag, but they are much less than complete renovation.

Everybody wants an upgraded kitchen, right? And if you can't replace everything, there are things you can do that won't cost a fortune. One of the easiest and most effective changes is to replace the cabinet hardware. Handles or knobs can cost as little as a dollar each and will have a huge impact. This is a project you can do yourself and not have to pay someone to do it. A favorite of mine is to prowl around online. If you're persistent enough you can find bargains and they are oftentimes cheaper than shopping locally.

One of the easiest and most effective change is to replace the cabinet hardware. Handles or knobs can cost as little as a dollar each and will have a huge impact. This is a project you can do yourself and not have to pay someone to do it. A favorite of mine is to prowl around online. If you're persistent enough you can find bargains and they are oftentimes cheaper than shopping locally.

Another easy fix with a lot of bang for your buck is a replacement faucet. Faucets begin at about the $60 to $100 price point and continue to increase. This is another project you can do yourself if you are somewhat handy.

Cabinets can also be painted or restained. That's a big wow.

And of course maybe a new light fixture and a coat of paint. Voila, a new kitchen!

Bathrooms can be just as much fun. New hardware, new lights and new faucets will give your room an entirely new look for not much money. New towels and shower curtain are just icing on your new cake.

There are other fixes around the house that are easy to do and fit any budget. New linens in the bedroom and bathroom will give any space an entirely new look. Replacing an outdated light fixture or ceiling fan won't break the bank either.

So, as you can see, there are a lot of cost-saving ideas that will brighten up your house and your mood. We all need to see something different from time to time, and if you can make that happen on a budget, yippee.

A few of these changes, a new doormat at the front door and a pot of spring blooms will brighten your day and welcome your guests. Be creative, enjoy your new look and be ready for spring. Enjoy these changes because I'm sure you'll want more.

— Carolyn Muse Grant is a founder and past president of the Architectural & Decorative Arts Society, as well as an interior design consultant/stylist specializing in home staging. Send questions to creativemuse@cox.net.