Renovation dollars are hard to come by these days, but your guests still expect a positive experience when they put their heads in the bed. What do you do to give them a reason to come back?

Here are 10 comparatively inexpensive, yet impactful things you can do now while you wait for the big renovation that keeps getting delayed.

1. Replace any and all brass lamps or lighting fixtures. Brass is out of date, and you will get a nice visual boost by utilizing silver (or other colors if you are daring) colored guestroom lamps or overhead fixtures throughout.

2. Are your door handles and knobs scratched, faded, or chipped? If so, it’s time to make that first impression a positive one for your guests as they pull the handle.

3. Consider a “soft” renovation consisting of the towels, bedspreads and window treatments in guestrooms. You’ll be amazed what new colors and textures will add to the guest experience.

4. Dress up the bathrooms with new (curved) shower curtains with color. This could be done in conjunction with the soft renovation above.

5. New mattresses and tops of beds will help ensure the most important outcome for the guest— a good night’s sleep. Work with a company that can give you the “one-stop shop” for both the bed and its decorative items for a better deal.

6. Consider a show-stopping chandelier or two in your lobby areas.

7. Have you replaced your worn out artwork lately? There are choices galore to bring some fresh and inexpensive artwork into guestrooms and hallways in keeping with your current design scheme.

8. If you are still using TVs in the armoire, it might be time to think about new flat screen televisions (that consistently gain high user impact ratings from guests). You can even make use of the armoire by cutting off the top and adding a flat granite surface for the TV to sit on.

9. Repaint with bold colors that create an up-to-date feel as you are walking the property, both inside and out.

10. Update your pool and balcony furniture. These items may be visible from the road or parking lot, and can create a sense of luxury and relaxation even before the guest enters the property.

You don’t have to bust the budget to convey a fresh sense of style and comfort to your guests.

Michele Evanger is president and principal at DOTI, Inc. and can be reached at Michele@doti.com. DOTI has been in business since 1983, and specializes in helping hotel and resort owners within all price points nationwide with their furniture and furnishings needs.