Transforming your home doesn’t have to be a stressful, money-draining experience. Looking for small, affordable changes can take it from a house to home. It may well be that you’ve got your eye on redecorating your living room or perhaps you want to make small-but-mighty alterations throughout your home.
Whatever your plan, don’t worry about redecoration costs; our suggestions won’t break the bank.
With the world having been in lockdown so often over the last two years, we spent much more time in our homes than normal. For some, this additional time highlighted flaws in our living space, sparking the desire to make a change – and, with the trade coming to a standstill, many of us turned to DIY to get the job done.
Lockdown not only brought about changes in behaviour but also increased the price of both tradespeople and cost of living, meaning that many of us are now turning to affordable projects to save money and time.
That’s why we’re here to inspire and motivate you to make positive changes around your home, while saving pennies in the process.
Furniture restoration
It’s easy to discard old furniture when redecorating your house as you might feel that it no longer has a purpose in your new space. However, ask yourself if it’s the style or colour of your furniture that doesn’t fit your new theme.
More often than not, it’s the colour of your furniture that doesn’t match so don’t be hasty – get refurbishing your old furniture.
You might have a set of pine wardrobes and a chest of drawers that feel slightly dated. Well, it won’t be hard or expensive to get those looking fresh.
Start by sanding down your furniture as this creates a surface perfect on which to paint. Once you’ve chosen your desired colour, it’s time to grab a brush and get painting. Light, soft colours such as neutrals are ideal for giving your space a new look.
What’s more, heavy pieces of furniture often suit neutral tones as it gives the illusion of taking up less space in your room.
Finally, consider adding some new handles to your refurbished furniture – doing so can make your pieces look vintage and expensive. You can find quirky knobs and handles in second-hand shops or online stores for cheap.
Replace/refresh internal doors
If you’ve got bright décor in your room, a dark, heavy door can make it feel incomplete so give your internal doors a lick of paint or replace them if the budget allows. Choose to keep them matt or give them a sheen – both options can look fantastic – and, with many door designs from which to choose, you’re bound to be spoiled for choice.
Build bespoke storage
A lack of home storage solutions can leave things looking a little unfinished. Clearing away random objects that you’ve got dotted around your home gives the illusion of a clean, refurbished space. However, when there are limited smart storage solutions in your home it’s not always easy to find a place for your valuables, so building your own bespoke storage offers extra room in a neat, tidy fashion.
Bespoke storage fits perfectly in many spaces, including under the stairs, in alcoves and on your bedroom wall. It can either be open or closed – whatever you fancy! If you want to take your project one step further, try fitted wardrobes.
While the initial outlay might feel like a stretch, you’ll reap the rewards in the future – so consider a line of credit or payday loan to boost your cash flow if you are running low on cash or if needed.
Switch up your curtains/blinds
The wrong curtains or blinds can ruin the ambience in your room. Heavy, dull, dark curtains or blinds not only steal the natural light but can also make a space feel dated. Great-quality curtains and blinds don’t have to cost the earth; just be sure to do your research.
If you want to make a small room feel bigger, opt for blinds over curtains. Blinds take up less space, they don’t impose and they keep your room looking light and bright. However, if you’ve got a large space, curtains bring warmth and character to your room.
Top tip: when choosing the fabric for your blinds or curtains, try matching it to your cushions and other upholstered items – this helps to establish a coherent design.
Restore original flooring
If you’ve moved into an older house, chances are that there will be carpet over the original flooring. Take a peek under your carpet and you might find that the floor underneath is just what you’re looking for. There might be a mosaic tile or even a solid-wood floor – but you don’t know unless you try! Restoring an original floor is much cheaper than buying a new one and it’ll give your space a vintage feel.
Need a cash-flow boost to help to cover your plans to restore and redecorate? A Drafty line of credit can help you with that (Representative 96.2% APR (variable)).
Disclaimer: We are not providing financial advice, these are just tips for informational purposes.
