Whilst the property market may be going from strength to strength, there are lots of people contemplating making the most of what they currently have or biding their time for a better buying opportunity once the market relaxes. Giving your home a bit of TLC can drastically improve your mood and give you a sense of belonging, regardless of whether you own your own property or not. Even a rental home can benefit from a good refurnish.
The first thing that instantly turns our excitement of mental planning into claims of ‘well it’s not really feasible right now’ and ‘it’s just a pipedream, really’ is cost. The daunting concept of breaking the bank to buy a sofa or repainting the house can be quite overwhelming and often shoots our ideas down straight after conception. But there are some ways in which you can minimise your spending, whilst still realising your vision for your home. We have put together a list of valuable tips for decorating within your budget.
A Dab of Colour
Changing up your wall tones can be an invaluable decision when redecorating. Picking light colours, including pastels, can be a fantastic option as this serves to guide light through your home much better. That isn’t to say that darker colours are a no-go. A bright or eye-catching feature wall can help to divert attention, giving an extra quirk to the room. You may even find that after this step, you don’t have as much to do as you originally thought.
Charity Shopping
Searching for cheap, second-hand furniture is great when you’re saving your pennies. Charity shops continue to increase in popularity, especially amongst younger generations. Just because an item is unwanted by someone else, doesn’t mean it is no good for you! You can also find some great antique items to accentuate a room—they may just need a bit of polish.
Chic and Cheap
Sometimes you just can’t find a particular piece of furniture or fitting to give the finishing touch to your newly decorated space. It may eventually come down to the fact that you’re going to need to use a larger chunk of your budget for a new sofa, chair, or dining table. But before you bite the bullet, shop around. You’ll find lots of clearance sales and offers, even for more glamorous and trendy items. Designers like Moleta Munro often have clearance sales of stunning items that may simply have just been used as a display piece. And don’t forget, some things are worth spending a bit more on if you know you’re going to keep it for a longer period.
Pictured: Amaze Chair available via Moleta Munro.
Cushions and Throws
As a cheaper alternative to reupholstery, you could find some affordable furniture throws to cover them instead. Blankets and recovered cushions can completely revitalise the appearance of an old sofa or chair.
Lighting and mirrors
Second to repainting, making sure that your home has sufficient lighting is key to building a welcoming space. Whilst bright and neutral-coloured walls reflect light through the house, mirrors are far better at doing this. A mirror or two can help to direct light to the darker parts of your rooms and serve to make the place appear more open. During darker times, you’ll want to ensure you have the right light fixtures and bulbs to keep your home from feeling too dingy. This will primarily be personal preference so you may need to spend some extra time considering your options here. Are you going for a warm, cosy atmosphere or are you aiming for something fresh and spacious? You’d be surprised at how quickly lighting changes the feel of a room.
Pictured: Fritz Hansen Kaiser Idell brass table lamp available via Moleta Munro.
Reuse and Recycle
One of the best ways to save money is to work with what you already have. Maybe you’ve got an old wooden chair that just needs sanding down, or you could get an existing sofa reupholstered if it’s something you’re particularly attached to. We’d recommend only taking this option though if you’re sure it’s worth it. This service can sometimes cost more than just buying a new piece!
See top image by Dixie Bell Paint ambassador, With Love Furniture
Get Creative
Making your home stand out from the rest with some home-made designs could be the icing on the cake. Perhaps you’re an artist? Turn a feature wall into a miniature gallery with some simple or quirky antique picture frames to show off your favourite pieces. Or maybe you want to try your hand at something more extravagant? You could make yourself a new coffee table with reclaimed wood/metal. Whatever you choose to do, try to show off your creativity and really make something unique.
Tip: Make creative use of paint stencils like Dixie Belle Paint Company ambassador, Mustard Tree Market.
There are so many avenues to go down when it comes to creating your dream home on a budget. Give some of our options a go—you might just surprise yourself.
