Now that mortgage rates are going up, fewer people will be able to refinance their homes to support big renovation projects. How do make progress on your home when you can’t procure the funds to support big projects? You can still do smaller makeover projects that deliver big impact without the enormous price tag. Some projects that won’t break the bank are:

1. Fresh Paint – With a little care and patience, most of us can paint a room. Fresh color can quickly transform an area for less than $100. Take the time to spackle and sand homes, then prime over the patched areas for the best results.

2. Tile the Floor – If you’re planning to do the job yourself, you can refinish your floor for as little as $2/square foot, depending on the type of tile you pick. If your floor is level, you may be able to tile directly on top of your existing floor. If you have an older home, the floor may be pitched in areas and require self-leveling cement to even it out.

3. Add Plants – Introducing indoor plants to your home can quickly and inexpensively bring color and a relaxing atmosphere to an otherwise stiff and boring room.

4. Stenciling – Whether you add a floral spray over a doorway or a faux tile pattern on a concrete floor, stenciling is simple and very inexpensive to do. It just requires a bit of measuring to make sure you line the stencil up evenly with the last pattern you created. You can find supplies online or in your local craft store.

5. Wallpaper One Wall – Draw attention to an area of the room with a beautiful pattern that works with your existing color theme. A roll or two of wallpaper should cost you less than $50.

6. Reface Kitchen Cabinets – In most cases, updating the doors of your kitchen cabinets will completely transform the look of the kitchen for much less money. If you’re willing to paint or stain the doors yourself, you can easily redo your kitchen for a few thousand dollars. Finish your new doors with some new knobs. If the cabinet bases are still in good shape and you can live with the existing layout, why drop tens of thousands of dollars on a kitchen when you can make a dramatic change for much less money?

7. Paint Fireplace Brick – Brick fireplaces can be the focal points of the room – when they don’t look outdated. Whitewashing your existing brick can modernize the look. Change the shelf over the fireplace and add a few favorite decorative pieces like a clock or a painting.

8. Create a Mirror with Tile – Use accent tile to create a frame above your bathroom vanity then hang a mirror in the frame. You’ll get the precise size you want with a unique look that’s all your own.

Trying to tackle too many projects at once can be overwhelming. If you focus on updating one small area at a time, you’ll make progress and see the project from start to finish within a budget that works for you.