Moldings in an older home may have been painted over. Strip off the paint and go to the bare wood. If your home is really old this will be real wood and with some varnish the wood will really add a new look. If you don't have real wood moldings then buy some. Get rid of your old painted moldings and add new wood like moldings. Wood is really popular right now and gives a nice homey feel.

Carpets can be replaced with newer styles or even with the bolder colors. Try neutral walls with a vibrant colored carpet. If you don't like carpets then there are wood and stone floors. Find a hardwood floor you like and you can put it around your whole house with rug accents or a few carpeted rooms.

Change cabinets in the kitchens or bathrooms. You can either buy all new cabinets or try to refinish the existing ones. You can also add or remove any of the cabinets to make a change in how the room looks. If you can't afford to replace all the cabinets a simple coat of paint and change of hardware like door handles will really update the look. Look into doing the countertops of these rooms also. Use a granite or stone for the countertops it is very popular right now and easy to take care of.

Look into changing your windows. This can have a big price tag depending on how many windows you have. An updated window can let more air in and if you go with a picture
window instead of three separate windows will change the way it looks. Updated windows can also lower your utility bills. If this is not in your price range or you already have great windows look at just changing the draperies. Don't use the heavy fabrics that cover the whole window. Try for light and airy fabrics. Use the drapery as just a swag over the top or use valance boxes. You'd be amazed at what a difference a change of curtains can do for the whole house.

Look at replacing your appliances. Go for a stainless steal look that is very popular in the newly built homes. Redo your laundry area to go along with your new appliances. Add some different paint and even some art to the walls. It may only be for washing clothes but an update will make it feel fresher.

If you don't really want to do a lot of work you can look at getting a new décor. This can be anything from a full living room set to just some art on the walls. You can also look around at what you already have and change where they are. This will update your look without having to spend any money.

There are so many options available for updating your home instead of remodeling. Sometimes just the small things like handles on the drawers can make a big difference. You can make the update as big and bold as you like or keep it simple for just a refresher. Updating as a remodel will save you time and money.