Home Improvements on a budget

[RockerMama]

Anyone able to help?

Looking to make some improvements on the house, hopefully increase the property value when we're finally ready to move, but mostly for our own enjoyment.

I'd like to make the yard easy to maintain with it still looking really nice.

We have things ready for our garden, and all I want is our garden beds, I don't want any other lawn but can't decide whether to leave it as lawn, pave it, use gravel, or use that fake turf stuff. I don't like fake stuff, just one of the things that crossed my mind.

For inside, I can't decide on carpet, polished floors or vinyl. Or tiles haha.

Also wanting to aircondition. The bedrooms have split systems in each of them, but we don't use them other than for one room that has games, tv, books and other family stuff in it.

Another thing, every time I'm in the kitchen I keep thinking how good it would be to have it open plan. I used to rent an open plan house and could watch a movie while cooking or cleaning the kitchen. At the same time, it seems like such hard work, and sometimes I enjoy watching a movie with my child without seeing the mess that's been left for later

So does anyone have any ideas on any of those things? Any ideas on how to do it all on the cheap?

I'm a single parent, only work part-time, no child support so if anyone has tips on doing it all on the cheap that would be great!

Thanks

[anewme]

Another thing, every time I'm in the kitchen I keep thinking how good it would be to have it open plan. I used to rent an open plan house and could watch a movie while cooking or cleaning the kitchen. At the same time, it seems like such hard work, and sometimes I enjoy watching a movie with my child without seeing the mess that's been left for later
Thanks

In our new kitchen i have my bench top at normal height than a 30 cm wall than a breakfast bar top (the width of a plate). It allows the open plan feeling without seeing the dirty dishes in the sink.

[RockerMama]

In our new kitchen i have my bench top at normal height than a 30 cm wall than a breakfast bar top (the width of a plate). It allows the open plan feeling without seeing the dirty dishes in the sink.

Now that sounds like a good plan! I like it! Thanks