Giving your home a makeover doesn’t have to be expensive, as these budget design ideas demonstrate. We all want to save money, therefore simple upgrades that can make a difference without costing a fortune are at the top of most people’s wish lists!
Small changes, whether https://guides4homeowners.co.uk/ DIY or decorating, can make a significant effect. All they need is a trip to the loft, a can of paint, and a little tender loving care (plus the tiniest bit of bargain hunting).
Even if you’re not a DIY pro, many of these ideas only require a little careful planning and imagination to bring your home up to date.
Decorating ideas on a budget
‘Decorating a new property doesn’t always require buying entirely new things,’ explains Wayfair’s Resident Style Advisor Nadia McOwan-Hill. ‘Instead of buying new furniture or decor, spruce up the ones you currently have with fresh hardware or paint.’
Decorative knobs can enliven drab kitchen cabinets, and a fresh coat of paint may bring drab walls to life. ‘Paint a unique design on the arms of a basic wooden side table, or add wallpaper to the interior of dresser drawers – minor modifications like these will make a difference.’
You’re certainly not alone if you’re on a limited budget. That’s why we’ve put up a list of simple, low-cost decorating ideas to help you beautify your home.
1. Drawer fronts stenciled
With a simple chevron stencil, I customized an Ikea chest of drawers on a budget. Using a dry, coarse-haired paintbrush, stipple on furniture paint. A transparent matt finish and leather tab handles complete the look.
Buy now: Malm six-drawer chest, £120, Ikea
2. Use fluted film on your doors to give them a new look.
Transform a basic display cabinet into a modern storage item using glass film. Chips and scratches will be avoided thanks to the fluted glass film. Alternatively, for a truly unique cabinet, choose a stained glass or patterned window film design.
Make sure the shelves within aren’t too crowded. To establish balance in your display, use stacks of bowls, piles of books, and things with fascinating shapes.
Glass Films is selling Solyx Reeded Glass adhesive film for £16.67 per L30xW68.5cm roll.
3. Make a lamp shade out of a basket
Spray an Ikea Snidad basket with black spray paint after removing the handles. In just a few hours, you can have a designer-looking lampshade by removing a little circle from the base, adding an enormous bulb, and a black cord.
Buy now: Ikea’s Snidad rattan basket, £29
4. Use paint to draw attention to attractive elements.
Beautiful historic door frames and thick skirting boards will be highlighted with a painted border. If your walls are already painted, go for a darker tint. Draw a 5cm wide border with a ruler and spirit level, then apply decorative tape to create a sharp edge.
5. Arrange framed wallpaper in a gallery.
For a formal look, frame wallpaper samples or offcuts in identical frames with a white mount. Choose basic frames to emphasize the patterns, and mix and match patterns in a similar color palette. If you don’t have any wallpaper, you may make do with fabric scraps.
6. Create your own art
You don’t have to spend a lot of money on artwork to decorate your walls; you can produce it yourself! Simply stretch a piece of fabric, an old duvet cover, a favorite scarf, or even a dress from a charity shop, over a canvas and staple it in place. Make a few of pillow covers if you have enough fabric left over to bring the space together.
7. Make a point of it
With the addition of a tiled wall, this dining room’s color palette was instantly modernized. For a unified look, use a color that complements your scheme.
With a selection of favorite plates hung haphazardly but with a common design, the impact is doubled in this scenario. Small details, such as downlit wall lights, create charm.
8. Incorporate some greenery
Plants bring vitality to any living room color scheme, and they add a beautiful splash of color to a neutral space like this one. You don’t have green fingers? Don’t worry, you don’t have to miss out on this tip. There are now a plethora of excellent fakes that seem really natural – check out Blooming Artificial for everything from plants to trees.
‘Live plants are a wonderful alternative for increasing air quality, and their development is incredibly rewarding,’ says Nadia, despite the fact that they can be difficult to care for when natural light is limited.
‘If you don’t have a green thumb, use artificial plants to beautify your studio apartment; their visual impact will be the same as live plants.’
9. Alter the order of your collections.
Use the natural focus points in your living space to display your favorite things. Create your own focal point with a beautiful console table or set of bookcases if the space lacks a built-in element like a fireplace.
Rotating your displays on a regular basis gives your scheme a quick refresh and keeps it from becoming too static. Vary height, shape, and texture, but stick to a two- or three-color palette for a unified aesthetic. Try supporting artwork instead of hanging it for a more casual vibe.
Spring Nordic Heart, small £12, large £35; Gallery wall sets, all The White Company, from £195
10. Include a bookcase.
Traditional bookcases don’t have to be built into alcoves. Instead, use an asymmetrical strategy.
Books and accessories are used to add color. Try generating ‘breathing room’ in a scheme by using certain shelves for decorative items, again tying in two or three colors for an unified effect, to break up the repetitious nature of a book collection. This will provide texture and depth to a room while also providing necessary storage.
11. Add a coffee table to the mix.
A coffee table, no matter how big or tiny your living room is, offers a decorative and functional touch. Whether it’s an upholstered ottoman or a large piece with shelving, choose one with storage.
Glass choices like this one are ideal because they don’t take up too much room in a small space. It’s a great spot to put books, candles, and flowers, and it’s close to the chairs. Changing up your accessories on a regular basis will help to keep the appearance fresh.
Wonder-Boy coffee table, £475, Loaf, now available.
12. Refresh your soft furnishings
Updating a rug, cushions, or fabrics can all boost your mood. As spring arrives, choose for delicate blooms, painterly designs, and light graphics, while winter brings heavier textures and deeper colors.
Freshen up your concept by repainting wooden furniture, papering within bookshelves, and adding vegetation.
13. Repurpose furniture that has outlived its usefulness.
Stop thinking about tossing out a well-loved piece of furniture. Examine it again to see if you can find a way to reuse it. With fragments of wallpaper on the glass panels, this wardrobe has been given a fresh look. A fresh coat of paint or varnish, as well as new upholstery, are simple methods to give an unwanted piece a new lease on life.
14. Wrap yourself in a sheepskin blanket.
This suggestion will necessitate a quick trip to the store if you don’t already own a sheepskin (or faux sheepskin) rug. Natural sheepskins are available in four colors at John Lewis for £35.
Sheepskins, in general, make any space feel cozier and more sumptuous — drape them across seats and beds, or arrange them on the floor.
15. Replace the cabinet door handles
Replace the drawer and cupboard handles on your kitchen cabinets for a fresh look. In a Shaker-style kitchen, cup handles and simple door knobs work well. Bar handles are also very popular right now and will look great in any modern kitchen.
‘Save money by purchasing inexpensive, neutral furniture items (such as chests of drawers, headboards, and coffee tables), going secondhand, or collecting family hand-me-downs – these basic pieces are the perfect canvases for DIY décor,’ Nadia advises.
‘Add ornate knobs, patterned wallpaper, or paint in your favorite color to personalize these pieces.’
16. erect a shelf
You can’t go wrong with a basic shelving concept, whether you want to keep favorite books close at hand or exhibit gorgeous treasures. Shelves are obviously functional, but they also provide an opportunity to personalize your design.
17. Mix and match your furnishings
Have your eye on a thrift store purchase but are scared it won’t go with your existing decor? Mismatched furniture is significantly more appealing than you would imagine. Kitchen seating is an excellent example of how diverse colors and styles can work well together. So, if you fall in love with a bright red chair, don’t feel obligated to buy a whole new set.
18. Neaten up with attractive storage containers
Anyone who enjoys interior design knows how important storage is. Make a statement with charming trunks or pretty flowered cardboard boxes – they’ll not only provide you more space to keep things in a peaceful, uncluttered manner, but they’ll also look great.
19. Place a photo gallery on the wall.
Photo gallery wall ideas are a fun way to dress up a plain wall or a drab area. Experiment with different forms, sizes, and frame designs, and hang everything from old family photos to kid’s artwork.
‘Gallery walls can be used to cover a large blank wall in a bedroom or living area. If you don’t have a wide wall to work with, establish gallery walls around features like entrances and windows to add interest,’ Nadia suggests.
20. Place fresh flowers on the table
Fresh cut flowers are a quick and inexpensive way to brighten up a room. They need little effort and can be made as large or small as desired. A single flower will be stunning.
21. Refresh your seats with a fresh coat of paint
Simply dip your plain dining room chairs or wooden bar stools in paint to give them a whole new look. Bright red makes a statement, while white or mild pastels are more subdued ways to freshen up your furniture.
22. Make a candle-lit area
Gather all of your candles from around the room and place them in a corner to produce a blended smell that is far more calming than a bright bulb. You may even use these fairy light ideas to produce a lovely glow even after the holidays are over.
23. Organize yourself
Make a home for everything and declutter as much as possible. With all of your stuff in their proper places, you’ll have plenty of extra space and the appearance of a larger area. These bedroom storage ideas will assist you in keeping things tidy.
24. Put your bath towels on display.
Towels are a must-have item that are frequently hung over the backs of doors or coiled up in the cabinet. Make a statement with them by exhibiting the lovely ones and treating them as your own personal works of art in the bathroom.
25. Arrange your pillows and blankets.
Get all of your cozy items out of the cupboard and put them on the bed, including cushions, pillows, blankets, and throws. You’ll not only have a pleasant den, but it’ll also look like something out of a boutique hotel suite. Win, win, win!
26. Exhibit your work
Get all of your artwork out of the loft and hang it up! Hanging artwork or putting it up on top of side tables, similar to a photo gallery, will keep bare walls busy and give the room a makeover.
‘Introduce boho design to the home for a dash of color and fun,’ says Furniture And Choice’s Style Advisor, Rebecca Snowden. A DIY ombré dip dye wall hanging is a simple, contemporary take on a traditional macrame design that is both soothing and eye-catching.’
27. Rearrange the furniture in your room.
Feng shui your space by rearranging furniture to allow more natural light in, to surround the fireplace, or to clear the entryway. Furniture may take on a whole new aspect when viewed from a different perspective, and it doesn’t cost anything. In just a weekend, you can renovate your living room.
‘Moving furniture around is a major test on how you feel in a room and may make you feel like you’ve done something very radical,’ says Angela Scanlon, stylist and host of Your Home Made Perfect.
28. Incorporate a focal point into your design
Place one large mirror, a bright piece of artwork, or even a giant bulb in the center of the room to create a focal point. This will alter the scheme’s dynamism and create the impression of a complete space remodeling.
How can I decorate my home on a budget?
There are several inexpensive and budget-friendly methods to decorate your home. Decorating with things you already have is a no-brainer, such as arranging your favorite crockery and glasses or repurposing salvaged chairs and tables. Take a look at how to paint furniture to get started.
There are so many innovative things you can do instead of buying anything new; you just have to know where to splurge and save. These budget-friendly design ideas will help you get your creative juices flowing.
It could be as simple as using candles to bring coziness to a room, and the soft, low light will completely transform the look of the place. Plants, fresh flowers (purchased or collected from your garden) and display bowls of fruit are another low-cost decoration idea that instantly elevates the mood and adds aroma.
Sometimes all it takes to breathe fresh life into a room is to simplify it. Make the most of your existing pieces by rearranging them to create a new appearance. To give furniture a zhuzh, you may replace the handles and knobs. Arrange books on shelves and add art, ornaments, and memories to give them personality.
How do you set a decorating budget?
Decorating can be costly, especially if you have to redo a whole room or house at the same time. Before you do anything, think about making a decorating budget so you don’t overspend.
The first step is to create a wishlist of items you’d like to include in your home. Create a moodboard or a Pinterest board to get a sense of what you like and don’t like. Will you wish to learn to paint or wallpaper, for example? Perhaps you’d like to create a focal point with a feature wall.
Working with your desire list, create a decorating plan to assist you figure out the real design of the rooms. Include everything from the floor plan to any additional features such as wallpaper, lighting, and artwork.
Once you’ve decided what you want, it’s a good idea to browse around for the correct stuff so you don’t overspend on things you may acquire for less elsewhere. Consider delivery and any other connected charges to ensure that your total is accurate. Be astute!
Next, you’ll probably need to filter things down even more because your budget most certainly doesn’t match your wishlist.
Make careful to consider the rooms’ practical requirements first, making alterations where necessary to obtain the items you require rather than those you desire. Consider a sofa over ornamental items such as wall art or a mirror, for example. Priorities are quite personal, so consider what will be required first and foremost.
How can I beautify my home without spending any money?
There are numerous cost-effective ways to beautify your home. Rearranging your furniture to acquire a new perspective on the place in question is one simple technique.
Recycling old jars for vases and centrepieces, painting existing furniture, and adorning with flowers from your yard are just a few of the great upcycled furniture ideas that need little effort (or expertise).
Decluttering is another inexpensive decorating suggestion. It’s amazing how much of a difference a little decluttering can make in a space, and it’s also good for the soul to get rid of stuff you don’t use and donate to a charity shop where they can be loved by someone else.
