We understand how difficult it can to try decorating on a budget.
Glossy magazine spreads provide us with a glimpse into a perfect world where money is no object, and by comparison, make our own homes look and feel inferior. Yet any attempts to recreate specific scenes could only fall short of expectations.
Rest assured, finding inspiration from these images can be useful, but when it comes to home designs, originality is a far more valuable commodity.
So if you are looking to perk up your house without breaking the bank, look no further. We are here to offer some affordable solutions that can transform ordinary, outdated and tatty household items into precious gems.
Decor on a Budget
1. Do your lamps cast more gloom than light? Changing your lamp shades for new, stylish ones can be surprisingly inexpensive and yet effective. Mix and match your shades for a bold result, or keep things simple and symmetrical with matching ones.
2. A cluster of cushions can make any room cosy and comfortable. Unless you have the skill and tools to do this yourself, reupholstering an old sofa can be a costly business. Instead, purchase new cushions for a fraction of the cost, and add some instant energy to a once drab piece of furniture.
3. Mirrors give an illusion of space and will make any room seem bigger and brighter. Alternatively, place your mirror face-up on any surface for an attractive and shiny tray.
4. Add a splash of colour by repainting chairs, mirror frames, or lamps. In fact, other than fabrics, you can paint anything in your home with specialised paints. Chalk paint, for instance, produces an antiquated and rustic look when used.
5. Decorate your walls with pictures. Who needs expensive art when your friends and family can do the job for you? Create an engaging collage display and you’ll find yourself surrounded by happy memories.
6. Put patterns in unexpected places. Try lining the insides of your cabinets or closets with printed wallpaper to add a dynamic surprise to an otherwise boring space.
7. If your walls are lacking colour, use a graphic rug to make your room pop.
8. Try hanging curtains above the windows. As with mirrors, this will create the illusion that your room is bigger and taller than it actually is.
9. A new trend has emerged regarding kitchen backsplash tiles. Rather than fork out on pricey tiles, some expert DIY-ers have taken to replicating the backsplash look using nothing but paint and thin strips of tape.
10. Display your glassware and mugs on your kitchen shelves. For this one, be sure that you only use your finest and most decorative pieces.
Everyone loves a good bargain but finding that balance between quality and value can be tricky so do your research and shop around.
You’ll be surprised what you can pick up from niche homeware stores. Or even, what you can use that’s already at your disposal.
Switch things up and don’t be afraid to dabble with colour, quirky patterns, and have a go at your own DIY project!
