The Home Renovations Show brought tips on how to make noticeable, cheap upgrades to your house as it came to south Ottawa this weekend.

Experts at the CE Centre said you don't necessarily have to blow your budget to beautify your house, using the kitchen as an example.

"If you have old brass exposed hinges and exposed old knobs and handles you can refresh them by changing them with stainless or brush nickel," said Aviva Ben-Choreen of Laurysen Kitchens. "That can refresh up the kitchen right away and it's a fairly inexpensive fix."

In lieu of a full-scale re-do, Ben-Choreen said a change of your countertop can make a big difference.

"A countertop in laminate in this size is probably about $600, the same counter in a granite would be about $2,000," she said.

For the rest of the home, flooring experts said replacing carpet with hardwood is an investment that will pay off.

"If you have an area, say a living room or dining room 500 square feet installed, you're probably looking at $4,500 to $5,000," said Vivian Lockman of Ottawa Diamond Flooring. "You're probably going to add about $8,000 to $9,000 value to the home."

Quality was also stressed, both in the product and the person installing it.

"Long term if you go to a lower-grade window, in three or four years you're going to start seeing the same problems again," said Denis McLean of Valley Siding and Windows.

"Do it once properly, there are too many stories of people having to redo work they've already paid once for," said John Gordon of Your Reno Guys. "Take your time, do your research, educate yourself, do not rush."

The Vandermeulens were at the show, looking at hardwood for their new home being built next year.

They said being strategic with renovations can help up the value of your home.

"The base prices of houses are going up, so the options to you to add to your house or make it the way you want it increases the price even more," said Rebecca Vandermeulen.

The big events keep coming for the CE Centre, with this show and the Lululemon Warehouse Sale this weekend.

The Ottawa Wedding Show runs next weekend.

With a report from CTV Ottawa's Vanessa Lee