If you’re looking to redecorate your home, doing it yourselfcan really keep costs down, along with allowing you to follow your heart’s desire and get your home furniture and decoration exactly as you want it. I’m going to outline some decorating and furnishing tips to help you DIY your home to a professional level, without paying professional prices.
1) Find Bargain Furniture
If you’re on a budget but you really need to replace some of your furniture, there are ways you can find individual stand-out pieces without spending a fortune. Look on websites such as Facebook Marketplace and charity shops for bargains and giveaways.
2) New Flooring
Laminate flooring is a great addition to many homes. Laminate floors are very easy to keep clean. Dirt cannot penetrate the wood and a regular clean with a dry or lightly dampened fiber cloth will keep your floor in perfect condition for decades. This can be a cost-effective way to update your flooring as not only is laminate flooring generally less expensive than other hard surface floors to start with, but when its durability and longevity are considered, it becomes a particularly economical choice.
3) Modify Your Bargains With Upcycling
Sometimes you can pick up worn-out furniture which are classic pieces, but which need improvement. Or perhaps you have old pieces that you don’t want to replace, but which need some TLC. You can update these pieces and improve them to your exact taste. If you’ve found a great but threadbare sofa, for example, experiment with re-upholstering. If you’ve found a battered antique table, don’t be afraid to revarnish it or experiment with paint effects.
4) Accessorise
Don’t forget that you can use accessories to update and make your furniture sparkle. If your sofa is old and battered, some bright new cushions can really bring your room to life. If your table is looking like it’s had better days, invest in a stylish new tablecloth to cover it. Creating a feature wall doesn’t need to be expensive and can make a big impact.
Image by Emily May, shared under a Creative Commons Licence
5) Decorate for Light
If your home is feeling a bit gloomy, decorate to bring light into the home. Consider slightly shiny wallpaper, which will bounce the available light around the room and really increase the brightness levels. Lighter, sunny shades of paint or wallpaper can create a similar effect. Add a mirror or two to reflect more light if needed, and even consider reflective flooring for maximum brightness.
6) Take A Tip From Your Wardrobe
Fashion magazines often advise that your wardrobe should consist of a small number of classic and good quality pieces, and that the rest of your clothing can be relatively basic: the classic pieces will hold the outfit together. Utilise this advice in your home as well: invest in one or two classic pieces of furniture, and don’t be afraid to decorate with the basics around that: the room will still look as great as your outfit!
7) Scrapbook or Ideas Wall
While you’re planning your redecoration, gather together your ideas into a scrapbook, ideas collage or Pinterest so that you can look at all of your inspiration in the same place. When you see it all together, you’ll soon be able to discard the wackier ideas, or the suggestions which don’t quite match the overall feel of your home.
Finally: make your house a home! Good luck.
