Home Decorating on a Budget

We all get it from time to time, the itch to re-decorate our homes and get them looking brand new, but fitting this in to the house budget can seem impossible. Even the notion of decorating one room can bare weight on your purse strings.

It’s all about layers… what about the floors? Painting the walls The furniture – oh and don’t forget the accessories and wall art! Then if you’re looking to sell your home after it’s makeover, you’ll have to consider the estate agent fees, the lengthy process of getting your home on the market, and THEN finding the right buyer…

But does it really have to be so expensive? Well, when it seems overwhelming, there are in fact ways of decorating your home without having to break the bank, whatever your purpose.

Before Doing Anything, Make a Plan

To avoid finding yourself in a situation like finding your dream sofa, and then coming to realise it’s way out of your budget, make a plan before you even start looking.

• Give yourself a weather it’s one room, or your entire home you’re looking to decorate, budget yourself. Once you’ve decided on a price, you’ll know where and what you can afford to look at, and will avoid you ending up disappointed by overpriced furnishings. Putting a way a bit of money each week can make your goals achievable, and although it may take longer than putting it all on a credit card, it’ll be better for your bank account in the long run.
• Look at interior design magazines and decorating blogs for inspiration. Once you’ve found the vibe you’re wanting to go for, break it into the sections: flooring, paint, furniture, accessories, and any other decor you’re looking

Look at What You Already Have

Sure, it’s not as exciting a concept as going out and buying everything new, but if you’re on a budget it’s a definite way of sprucing up your home on the cheap. Forget new, and think about RE-new, you might even have some fun along the way!

• What items can you repurpose? For example, do you really need all new kitchen countertops and hardwood flooring, or can you resurface what you already have?Hiring someone to do these jobs or even DIY’ing them yourself if you can is likely to end up cheaper – and less invasive in the home-than having all new things 
• Don’t forget how effective a coat or two of paint can be. Changing the colour of a room, or even just one wall can completely revitalise a tired looking room. Before you even start buying paint, it is possible to calculate exactly how much paint you’ll need to cover the area you’re looking at, and how much it may end up costing.
• Likewise, if your wood furniture is looking a little jaded, sanding and staining can give it an entirely new feel.

Prioritise Your Spending

It’s a lovely thought – a freshly painted room with new floors, a new sofa, new wall art, new television. new coffee table, etc etc etc…but it’s again, not cost-effective.

• If it’s your living room you’re looking to decorate – what is the centrepiece, and what will you get the most use out of? It’s easy to repaint your walls and stain your wooden furniture cheaply, and even something as low cost as a houseplant can give the room some pizazz.. But how easy is it to find the perfect sofa cheaply. Prioritising the cornerstone of a room such as the sofa and DIY’ing/budgeting the rest will enable you to not feel limited when choosing such an important piece of furniture, and will make it so you’re able to choose something practical, and long lasting. 
• Finally, if you are looking to sell your home and you’ve spent upon redecorating, there are ways of saving money on the sale by not going down the traditional route. There are organisations that will buy houses for cash like Ready Steady Sell, and they’re highly beneficial not only if you’re looking to save money, but if you’re looking to make a quick sale too.

Above all, remember to enjoy decorating your home on a budget! Whether you’re thinking thrifty, or doing DIY, get the family involved and make it a group effort. Don’t think of it as a negative, but a positive, meaning at the end of it all, your home will look as good as the effort you’ve put in to it.

 

*collaborative post*