If your current residence is feeling lacklustre, or you’ve just settled into a new home, you’ll no doubt want to create an interior that you adore. For one reason or another, we understand that your decorating budget may be a little tight.
With help from Metricon’s expert interior designers, we’re here to show you how you can personalise your home and create a space you love without breaking the bank. Sometimes the simplest solutions can have the biggest impact. So, here are some clever ways to transform your home decor on a budget.
Budget-friendly interior decorating ideas
Review what you already have
It costs nothing to rethink and reshape the current layout of your room. Review what you already have and consider whether everything is still loved and necessary. Donate or throw out what is no longer working for you, and then try simply moving a few pieces around. Decluttering can give you new perspective and a fresh approach to a room.
Update your soft furnishings
If you can’t afford a new sofa, why not update your soft furnishings? Throw pillows and blankets work equally well to make a space feel new and fresh, and you won’t have to spend a fortune. There are so many styles and fabrics available, many at a low cost, that will instantly jazz up your space. Be sure to take inspiration from the overall colour palette of the home, or try something a little bespoke to create a talking point; you’ll find inexpensive but one-of-a-kind pieces at craft markets and vintage stores.
A splash of colour
A lick of paint is a quick, easy and inexpensive way to give your home an instant lift. Whether you opt for bold statement paint colors for a feature wall, or decide on a stylish neutral scheme, you are guaranteed to feel uplifted by your new look. Just remember that trends are exactly that, colours come and go, so choose a paint colour that you are happy to live with through all seasons.
Turn up the lights
The right lighting can transform the mood of a home instantly. And the
good news is light fixtures don’t have to cost much to be effective and
look luxe. Why not update the lampshades for your bedside lamps? Or try
replacing the mismatched table lamps, with stylish matching ones.
Always ensure you use similar globes throughout your spaces i.e. warm
or cool light – to create a sense of unity. For example, use cooler
lights in spaces like the dining room and kitchen, and warmer lights for
the living room and bedroom.
DIY projects
If you haven’t jumped on the Pinterest bandwagon yet, now is the time.
Pinterest is the go-to destination for DIY projects and hacks that show
you creative ways to give new life to old furniture or décor items, or
transform cheaper items from places like Kmart or Ikea. There are
tutorials around reupholstering old furniture, using spray paint to give
new life to old picture frames and plant pots, designing
bed headboards, and an abundance of other decor ideas to spark your
interior inspiration.
Wall art
Done right, wall art can transform a space. The good news is that you don’t need to spend a small fortune on wall art to add personality to a room. Cost-effective ways to liven up a space include buying an online print (instead of an original) from an independent artist and framing it yourself, creating your own wall decor with a little DIY magic, or using photo frames to create a gallery wall. Aim to make the art a focal point and use it as a basis for additional styling around the space. Mirrors are another cost-effective alternative to works of art and can be used to make a small space feel larger and lighter. You can often find hidden gems in antique stores and op shops.
Cluster of objects
The secret to mastering your interior styling is to cluster objects
together in odd numbers. Add character to coffee tables, side
tables, bookcases or wall mounted shelving, by arranging your
accessories, such as plants, candles, photo frames, vases or other knick
knacks into vignettes. Make sure your vignettes are appropriately
proportioned for the surface space.
Rugs
Rugs are an effective way of defining a space or area within a room, and can also add a pop of colour or texture to an otherwise basic interior design scheme. They are also a great way to protect your floors from heavy foot traffic and furniture legs. Ensure you choose a rug that is going to complement your interior – opt for French-provincial style rugs for a Hamptons theme, or a jute rug for a bohemian styled space.
Taps and handles
If your budget doesn’t allow for a full bathroom or kitchen reno, then look into changing only minor aspects. Fittings and fixtures, such as tapware or cabinetry handles can update the look of your room in an instant. Modernise the space with contemporary towels and accessories, and add an indoor plant (real or faux) to give your room a hint of colour.
3 Tips to decorating on a budget
- Embrace classics and neutrals. That way, each time you feel like your home needs a revamp, you can switch up the accessories, which is far more affordable than redesigning a bathroom or kitchen.
- Customize. Stores like Spotlight or Lincraft are great for crafting. Add your own personal touch to items. Use leather strips to update handles on a basket, or wrap them around a vase for a modern touch.
- Subscribe to Facebook buy/swap/sell pages. Before you go and spend big, have a look on some of the hundreds of buy/swap/sell pages on social media and online marketplaces. You can often find exactly what you want at a fraction of the retail price, if not for free!
What is my interior decorating style?
Updating your home look need not break the bank. But before you go ahead and remodel your space, consider what interior style you want to achieve. Is it contemporary? Coastal? Eclectic? Parisian-inspired? Don’t make the mistake of purchasing pieces on impulse without considering the overall style of your new home interior. The best way to achieve a cohesive look on a budget is to first plan what theme or style you want to pursue, and then head out to find key pieces that work harmoniously.
Enjoyed these decorating tips? Head over to Metricon's Inspiration page for plenty of styling hints and design ideas for updating your interior. Explore the Gallery to search for inspiration room by room, or visit Lookbook to find the perfect colour scheme and style to suit your personal taste.
