Hi there lovely readers, I’m ready for a home refresh, what about you? However, given a total makeover can be costly (my bank balance is still quivering from my last reno!), I’ve been on the prowl for economical options and in the process, identified a whole raft of super economical ways to spice up your space. Here are my top 6 budget-friendly ideas for doing exactly that.
Grab a can of paint…
Feeling ambitious? A fresh coat of paint is an excellent way to give your place a facelift. Paint an accent wall in an afternoon. A whole room across a weekend. Wanna go small for starters? I’ve just painted the frame surrounding a quote print and two old timber trays a rustic gold and they now look hot off the showroom floor! You can try spray painting a knick-knack, gold to up the glam factor, or go hard and reimagine a whole room! While there, why not use your new wall color to showcase a new piece of artwork? I love the colour combination and print in the shot below don’t you?
Add a couple of new accents…
If you’re more of a shopper than a painter, there are plenty of places to score new, budget-friendly accent pieces. Think big-box stores like West Elm, Pottery Barn, Freedom, Domaine, Ikea, Target as well as local interior boutiques. Looking for something with history and character? Try First Dibs online. Perhaps a lamp, a signature chair? The chair in the image below makes me want to climb in with a good book! Oh! And if you’re fancying a coffee table spruce, check out: Feathering our nests.
And fresh flowers or a plant or two…
Notice how pot plants have made a comeback? Succulents and air plants make for great budget options, are on trend and ever so easy to maintain compared to the good old Maiden Hair fern of yesteryear. Grab a plant or go all out by hitting the flower markets first thing in the morn for fabulously cheap fresh flowers.
I love trawling the freezers for bulk flowers in just two complementary colours to spruce the place when guests are coming to dine or stay over. If you don’t mind paying a little extra, grab a bunch during the weekly grocery run. Oriental Lilies last up to two weeks, Monsteria leaves last for months, making them both worthy buys.
Shop your own home…
Sure that item might live in your bedroom but does it have to stay there? Bar carts can turn into side tables and desks can serve as nightstands. Single seat armchairs can visit other rooms, so too side tables, lamps, storage trunks, cushions, throws. Why not move a piece of art that’s always been in your living area to somewhere more unexpected, like the kitchen or the bathroom? Cluster images and quotes to create a story; even consider extending around a corner to create a visual reference point as per this image. I love this idea, don’t you?
Restyle those shelves…
Similar to shopping your own space for big pieces to rearrange, try switching up your “shelfie” by changing your display items. Small decorative objects, pretty books and candles can all be rearranged for a completely new look. Move a candle to the nightstand, try arranging books by colour, swap out those photo frames. Cluster complementary colours together for a streamlined ‘styled’ look. I’m a sucker for beautiful candles and have been known to choose those that complement my home decor just as much as the fragrance!
Finish off with a rug or two…
Rugs can be a surprisingly affordable way to add a pop of colour to a room. Cowhides, Flokati, Turkish, jute, hemp, sisal, the choices are endless. They’re also useful for defining areas in smaller spaces or across open floor plans like studio apartments. Right, I’m off to choose new paint, find an AirTasker to hang a piece of artwork and will treat myself to a lovely coffee table book to finish that vignette. Whatever you choose to do, have fun with it. Almost as good as a holiday!
