Now that we’re spending more time at home than ever before, it’s only natural that we want to upgrade the spaces we’re living in. Perhaps there are some long-needed changes you’ve been desperate to make, or you’re just a little tired of the same-old interiors but you’re not willing to splash the cash this time around.
Even if you’re pinching pennies, there are plenty of simple but really beautiful ways you can uplift your home. Here are our easy tips for decorating with minimal fuss.
Reorganise your home
Decluttering will improve the quality of your space and mark a new beginning. This is a simple way to start, but it will have a huge impact on your entire home. You may wish to make some physical changes here too; install open shelving for both functional and display purposes or invest in new pieces that won’t break the bank. Browse our smart storage options like slimline tallboys for tricky spaces or multipurpose blanket boxes that can double up as a window seat.
Make bookcases beautiful
We love bookcases because they’re not only useful, but they also have gorgeous display capacities. Order books by the colour of their spine rather than in typical A-Z fashion for a dazzling ombre effect. You can also line the interior of the bookcase with wallpaper to make yours one-of-a-kind.
Recalibrate
While you don’t necessarily need to reorder your life to adhere to the principles of feng shui, it won’t hurt to press reset on your home decor. Try moving things from room-to-room and make pieces that are usually tucked away in more private spots, like the bedroom, the focal points of communal rooms and spaces.
Looking to channel your home redesign energy into your bedroom?
Be open to the possibilities of paint
You don’t need to be a Picasso to paint your home, nor do you need to splurge on a decorating team to get elbows deep for you. If you’re a DIY novice, enlist the help of a friend or partner and tackle the task together. Make the job uncomplicated; paint a feature wall, the skirting boards, or even a two-tone wall. If you’re feeling confident enough then you could undertake the ‘fifth wall’ – the ceiling! A fresh lick of paint can have transformative effects on the rest of the room.
Bevel king-size bed | Hercules side table
Upcycle
Similarly, you can repaint ageing but beloved pieces of furniture to give them a new lease of life. Reinvigorate their original coat or try a whole new shade to totally reinvent the piece.
You can also use new materials to recover upholstery that you’ve become a bit bored of. This technique requires precision, but works a treat on sofas, armchairs or accent chairs. If you don’t have much experience, try practising by making new cushion covers with eye-catching prints or textural materials like velvet.
Check out our living room ideas on a budget for more expert home style advice that won’t break the bank.
Refresh soft furnishings
Speaking of soft furnishings, updating yours is not only incredibly easy, but it’s a cheap update in the grand scheme of things. For example, a new area rug can shake up the whole room’s appearance and introduce a refreshed colour palette for you to bounce off. Alternatively, you can craft your own dining table runner with spare fabrics that you might have lying around.
Orrick king-size bed | St. Ives bedside table
Tap into tile
You don’t need to retile the entirety of your kitchen or bathroom – you could make a feature of the backsplashes around the hob or sink, or make the area around the shower a prime focus. Either way, refurbishments like these could be the small refreshes that your home is crying out for.
If you’re not feeling that brave, then tile paint could be a simpler alternative to revamping your space.
If you want some home design tips specific for your budget, check out the blog where we breakdown what’s realistically possible for what you want to spend.
Renovate your windows
Unsightly curtains can have a hugely unpleasant effect on an otherwise lovely interior design scheme. Maybe you’ve always wanted to change yours; if you’ve got a little more room in your budget, you might want to install French shutters, a fresh set of blinds or billowing curtains. If you’ve got less cash to work with, even a new trim can completely alter the appearance of curtains.
DIY displays
Original art and prints – though an incredible addition to any room – are often not very budget-friendly. Instead, frame old magazine covers for your bathroom or last year’s calendar pages in the hallway, giving paper destined for the recycling bin a new use. Otherwise, give your kids’ artwork pride of place over the dining room table or have family, friends and guests contribute to a hilarious Polaroid wall.
Don’t forget the details
Even slighter changes come in the form of replacing handles on cupboards and drawers – this is a great way to personalise key features of your home without making any drastic updates. You can also swap out lampshades for a similar effect. You’ll be surprised how minor details can give your decor a whole new look.
Hopefully you enjoyed our tips, and are ready to give your home a well-needed thrifty uplift! And make sure to show us your new home updates over on Instagram, using #OakFurnitureland.
