Erin and Ben Napier, the hosts of HGTV’s “Home Town,” have done a lot of heart-warming renovations—and that holds true in their latest project. (Pro tip: Have a tissue box nearby.)
In the Season 8 episode “Everything Can Be Restored,” the designing duo meets Angela, a former addict now in recovery. After finding a job and regaining custody of her sons, Angela’s more than ready for homeownership.
The mom is dreaming of a beautiful home in Laurel, MS, with a cheerful ambiance and space for her 17-year-old son, Sean, who is still living with her.
Luckily, Erin and Ben know this sweet home from the 1940s will be Angela’s dream come true.
“Angela has never had a permanent home,” Erin explains. “She has been a rolling stone her whole life. This house is going to be so emblematic of her entire future and what’s possible.”
Read on to find out how Erin and Ben create a home design that feels as bright and optimistic as Angela. Plus, get tips for renovating a whole house on a tight budget.
1. Save money by using what you have
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When Erin and Ben first tour Angela’s house, they point out that a front porch would make a great addition. It turns out, the home used to have one, but it was enclosed to make more room inside.
The Napiers know it won’t be too difficult—or expensive—to reopen the porch and make the home feel more welcoming. Once the porch is restored, Erin and Ben paint the dark blue exterior with a bright, happy teal. Plus, the new front door pops in a golden hue.
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“It just feels like a drop of sunshine on this block,” Erin says of the beautiful front door.
Even brighter news? The front porch renovation didn’t break the bank—so homeowners can take comfort in knowing they don’t need to invest in a big, expensive change to achieve an amazing transformation.
2. Cut unnecessary tile costs
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Another way to cut renovation costs? Skip the backsplash.
While backsplash tile has become a staple in new and renovated homes, Erin and Ben prove that the expense isn’t necessary when a home “has a lot of character,” as the HGTV stars put it.
The couple even save money by simply painting a soothing peach hue on the original beadboard.
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The team adds a white quartz countertop and creamy cabinets to finish this kitchen.
“Peaches and whites and creams together, it’s very feminine,” Erin notes.
So far, the couple have added significant upgrades to Angela’s home without breaking the bank!
3. Decorate with planks rather than solid wood
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Erin continues to find creative ways to work with a tight budget. For example, she and Ben use planks of wood, rather than solid pieces, to frame the opening between the kitchen and living room.
“When you want to have some natural wood in a doorway and solid beams are not in your budget, cypress planks are your friend,” Erin explains. “The planks cost half as much as solid posts and beams, and it weighs a quarter as much.”
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“Structurally, it’s doing nothing,” Ben says of the new opening. “It’s literally just trim.”
“But it’s pretty trim,” Erin adds.
4. Customize thrift-store furniture
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Another way to save big is to buy used furniture and refresh it with paint, new hardware, or other DIY upgrades.
After getting a beautiful bed from the secondhand store where Angela works, Erin finds some side tables at the shop that seem to complement the bed’s style. However, the furniture looks tired, so she asks Ben to make these old pieces feel special again. Ben suggests adding a maple inlay to the tapered legs.
“It just dresses it up a little bit,” Ben says of the inlay. “So, it’s sort of like adding a blazer or a tie to an ensemble.”
5. Wall decor can add instant, inexpensive charm
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Upstairs, Erin and Ben update the entire second floor, creating a bedroom and music room for Sean.
They make a cozy, comfortable space in the bedroom and then focus on sound absorption in the music room. Erin gets a thick carpet pad for the floor and decorates the wall with acoustic tiles, which she wraps in fabric.
“This is our only chance to have any kind of, like, fabric or pattern,” Erin explains as she works on the tiles. “There’s not going to be, like, blankets or pillows or a bed to decorate.”
This DIY trick highlights yet another way homeowners can save money and add character to a room. Plus, it’s a good reminder of how colorful wall hangings can instantly give a space interest.
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