Regular church maintenance is important for keeping your facilities in working order. Beyond annual cleaning and repairs, it’s also nice to spruce up your building with occasional renovations.
Maybe your budget is a little tight right now, but you’d still like to make some updates to your church. Here are five low-cost projects that will make a big impact for your members and visitors.
1. Update Paint Colors
When was the last time you painted your church interior? Do the colors even fit in with your current branding? Adding a new coat of paint or changing the paint color is an inexpensive project that goes a long way. To save even more money, get volunteers to help rather than hiring professional painters.
2. Install New Flooring
Flooring can become stained, faded, and outdated over the years. Switch things up with a new style. Take it a step further by changing the flooring material. For example, if you have carpet in your sanctuary, try out a spill-resistant tile instead. Coordinate the style with the wall colors and sanctuary accessories for a unified look.
3. Invest in New Furniture and Decor
While completely replacing your seating or getting a new pulpit might be out of the question, there are plenty of other furniture pieces that will make a big impact:
- Buy a few reasonably priced couches and chairs for the foyer or lounge area. Pair these with throw pillows, Christian wall art, and other decorations for a whole new look.
- Order accessories for your pews or chairs such as book racks, cup holders, card/pencil holders, or new cushions. This will enhance the worship experience at a fraction of the cost of new seating.
- If you use artificial flowers or other decorations on the altar, swap these out for a fresh look for the summer.
- Upgrade your children’s ministry space with fresh decor. Consider buying a few new chairs and tables to replace any stained or worn furniture.
4. Create a Coffee Bar
Some churches have entire cafes built into their facilities. However, you don’t have to get this elaborate. A simple coffee bar will go a long way towards creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. All you need is a kitchen island or even just a rectangular folding table, a large coffee pot, disposable heat-proof cups, straws, and extra add-ins like sweetener and creamer. Consider also serving tea and hot chocolate – the latter will be popular with children.
Add a few cafe-style tables or simple folding tables so church members and guests can sit and talk for a while before or after services.
5. Replace Light Fixtures and Faucets
You may be inclined to overlook the impact of light fixtures and faucets, but these can both refresh the look of your church facilities. Best of all, they’re relatively inexpensive. You can even take this opportunity to install low-flow faucets to conserve water at your facilities.
Even if your budget is limited, you can still find ways to give your church a brand-new look for summer. Minimize costs as much as possible by seeking volunteers and asking church members to donate materials. Your congregation will appreciate the care and attention to detail when they see the updated appearance of your facilities.
Dr. Tom McElheny has served as an elder and director of Christian education for three Sarasota, Florida, churches, holds advanced degrees in business and education, and is CEO of his church seating company, ChurchPlaza.
