
Sometimes, you just become overwhelmed with the urge to redecorate. You’re taking a look around your home or your apartment, and while everything is “fine”, that’s all it is; you’re not inspired by your surroundings anymore, and walking into your living room or bedroom fills you with a sense of tired familiarity, not excitement. When that happens, it’s time to redecorate, but isn’t that something that has to cost a lot of money? Not necessarily, as it happens! Here are 9 tips for redecorating your home on a budget.
1. Raise some extra funds
Our first tip only applies if you’re right on the borderline of having a decent redecoration budget. If you’re struggling just to push yourself over the finish line to afford that extra piece of furniture, then why not ask friends, family members, or housemates to club in? If you don’t feel like doing that, then you could look to online loans, which can be a good source of cash when you’re about to embark on a personal project. Even a £1500 loan can be hugely helpful when it comes to overhauling your interior design.
2. Display your own artwork or photography
Are you a budding creative? Do you find yourself filling your spare time by doodling or sketching? Perhaps you’re a painter and you’re in the process of setting up a business selling your paintings. Whatever the case may be, if you or any member of your family are in any way creative, then one way to save money when you’re redecorating is simply to display your own artwork. This adds a nice personal touch to your space and also means you’re not paying for ready-made art!
3. Reuse other pieces
You might well have pieces of furniture around the house that you’re not using. If you do, instead of getting rid of them, try repurposing them into something else. For instance, you could repaint a chest of drawers and take out the drawers themselves to use the space inside, or you could turn a table into shelving if you’re handy with a saw. Engaging in a little DIY is a great way to transform unwanted furniture into something that’s going to be useful for you.
4. Shop second-hand
Frankly, whether you’re on a budget or not, it’s always a good idea to shop second-hand when it comes to interior design. You never know what kind of fascinating and exciting pieces you’re going to find if you search the charity shops of your nearest town or city; this could be a great way to find something that’s got a lot of character and a lot of history behind it. Before you make a decision to buy something new, consider browsing a second-hand store instead.
5. Ask friends and family to donate pieces
Have you got some friends or family who are trying to get rid of furniture pieces right now? If so, why not ask them to donate these pieces to you? If your loved ones are absolutely determined to sell the things they’re trying to shift, then you can work out a price with them much more effectively than you can for a store. Again, you never know what people might be storing away, and something that’s not useful for them could be the thing that transforms your space completely.
6. Declutter
Getting rid of clutter has plenty of benefits beyond making your space look good. It also contributes to better mental health; when your space is less cluttered with things you don’t use or need, your mind can focus more easily and your mood is likely to improve as a result. If your space is messy or untidy, then set aside time to take each and every item that’s cluttering up the space in turn and ask yourself whether or not you actually need it or use it.
7. Get creative
It’s not just existing furniture you can repurpose when it comes to changing up your interior design approach. Lots of items - think plant pots, vases, or baskets - can be repurposed into something more exciting. Why not turn a plant pot into a handy key storage compartment, for example, or transform a basket into an ornament by adding some extras to it? By getting creative with your space, you’ll save money and give your brain a workout at the same time.
8. Hire a pro
We know that hiring a pro might sound like it’s outside your budget, but the fact is that if you look hard enough, you’ll be able to find plenty of professionals that charge low rates for the work you want them to do. This goes double if you’re not a particularly craft-oriented person; if you don’t think you’ve got what it takes to complete a DIY project, don’t be ashamed to look to a professional. This way, the job will be done right and you won’t have to pay all over again to do it properly!
9. Repaint your space
Paint doesn’t have to cost the earth, and neither do brushes or any other equipment you’ll need to change up your colour scheme. However, doing so can have a massive impact on the aesthetic of a house. Pick your favourite colours and implement muted versions of them in your house or flat’s decor. You’d be amazed at just how much this can transform your impression of the space! Try to make all of the rooms match, too; coordination is important when it comes to interior design and colour scheme.