What to upgrade first on an old farmhouse with $300

Old farmhouses have a charm you can’t fake — but they also come with quirks that eat through your budget fast. The good news is, you don’t have to spend thousands to make one look well cared for and updated.

With around $300, you can tackle the upgrades that make the biggest difference in how it feels and functions day to day. These small improvements can help you preserve that old character while making your farmhouse feel more pulled together and livable right away.

Replace old light fixtures

Swapping outdated light fixtures instantly modernizes a farmhouse without stripping its character. Old brass or frosted-glass shades can make a space feel stuck in the past. For under $50 each, you can find black, galvanized, or seeded-glass fixtures that look clean and timeless.

Focus on the entry, kitchen, and hallway — the most visible spots. Even upgrading two or three lights makes a huge difference in how fresh and intentional the house feels.

Paint the front door

If the outside of your farmhouse needs attention but you can’t afford a full exterior job, paint the front door. A rich black, muted sage, or classic navy can instantly make the place feel restored.

High-quality exterior paint only costs about $40 and gives the whole home a finished look from the road. The right door color draws attention away from weathered siding and adds the kind of charm that makes old homes feel loved again.

Swap outdated cabinet hardware

Old brass or painted-over hardware can drag down an otherwise charming kitchen. Updating knobs and pulls with matte black or brushed nickel pieces gives your cabinetry an instant facelift.

You can find farmhouse-style sets online for under $50, and they completely change how the kitchen looks without painting or replacing cabinets. It’s one of the cheapest ways to make an older space feel freshly designed.

Refresh trim and baseboards

Old farmhouses often have great woodwork that’s been neglected. A quick coat of semi-gloss white paint on trim and baseboards brightens the entire house and makes rooms feel crisp again.

You can buy paint and brushes for under $50, and focusing on visible areas like door frames and window trim makes a big impact. Clean lines around those details make even worn floors and walls look more intentional.

Upgrade the kitchen faucet

If your farmhouse kitchen still has an old chrome or white faucet, it’s time to update it. A matte black or brushed nickel pull-down faucet looks clean, modern, and sturdy — and you can find good options for around $75.

It’s a small detail that gets noticed daily and adds the look of a remodel without touching the counters or cabinets. It also improves functionality, which goes a long way in older kitchens.

Add new house numbers and mailbox

A farmhouse can look cared for or forgotten depending on small curb appeal details. Replacing rusted house numbers or a leaning mailbox immediately makes the property look maintained.

Choose large, modern metal numbers and a clean mailbox — both can be done for under $50 total. Those simple swaps give the front of your home that “freshened up” look without needing landscaping or siding work.

Re-caulk windows and baseboards

Air leaks are common in older homes, and they make heating and cooling more expensive. A few tubes of clear or white caulk can seal gaps around windows, doors, and baseboards — saving money and making the home feel tighter.

For under $30, you’ll improve both comfort and efficiency. Plus, clean lines of fresh caulk look better visually, which subtly helps the whole home feel more finished.

Replace old curtain rods and panels

Old, thin curtain rods and faded drapes can make your farmhouse feel dated and dark. Replacing them with thick black rods and light linen or white curtains instantly opens up the space.

You can do an entire room for under $75 if you shop smart. Hanging curtains a few inches higher than the window trim also makes ceilings look taller and rooms feel more refined.

Pressure wash the exterior

Years of dirt and pollen can dull even the prettiest old siding. Renting a pressure washer for a day costs under $75 and can completely transform how your farmhouse looks.

A clean exterior makes old paint look fresher and highlights details like trim, porches, and brick. It’s the kind of upgrade that doesn’t require materials — just a little time and effort — but gives huge visual payoff.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.