Decorating on a budget: 16 easy ideas to glam up your home
Redecorating your home is pricey, right? Wrong! Or at least it doesn’t have to break the bank with our money-saving tips and expert guidance.
In this round-up, you’ll find lots of simple, low-cost ways to refresh your space, such as upcycling furniture, painting tiles and do-it-yourself hacks.
So, read on for 16 ways to update your décor in an affordable way, without skimping on style or quality, and check out our favourite online homeware stores to discover the best budget-friendly homeware accessories on the high street right now!
How to glam up your home on a budget
Switch up soft furnishings
If buying a new sofa is out of the question at the moment, that doesn’t mean you can’t change up the style and colours of your soft furnishings in the meantime.
You can find cushions and throws in colours and patterns to suit any taste in high street stores like Dunelm, Wilko and Oliver Bonas.
Lay down a rug
New flooring can be a costly expense, so rather than forking out a fortune for a real oak finish, why not cover the room with an area rug or a few smaller rugs in strategic places instead?
It will add a whole new look to your living space - plus your purse will thank you for it!
Upcycle your furniture
A £10 pot of paint is a small price to pay when it means you can do-up your old furniture to make it look as good as new.
Whether you want to redecorate a chest of drawers or a dining room table, all you need is a lick of chalk paint to give it an upcycled upgrade. For a professional finish, check out our guide on how to use Frenchic paint.
Upgrade your door handles
It may be a small change but adding a new set of doorknobs can make a big difference to worn-out doors and cabinets in an instant. Especially if they’re as beautiful as this colourful design from Homebase!
Repurpose a ladder
Have you got an old ladder hanging around? Don’t just reserve it for climbing into the loft – make a feature out of it! Wooden ladders are the most versatile, but a metal ladder can also work, as there’s no reason why you can’t paint it to coordinate with the rest of the room.
Tile a splashback
Investing in a new splashback can be expensive, so save a few pounds by tiling it yourself and give your kitchen a bespoke look.
Be as creative and colourful as you like – will you opt for mosaics or metro? Understated or eye-catching? If you're unsure where to start, take a look at our guide on kitchen tiles for every style and budget.
Paint your tiles
Bored with your plain white bathroom tiles but don’t want to spend a fortune on new ones or deal with the hassle of retiling? Then why not have a go at painting them yourself instead?
If you fancy getting extra creative, use a stencil to add more pattern to your space. Once you're done, give your floors a makeover with this tutorial on how to stencil a wooden or concrete floor, too!
Organise with stylish storage
When it comes to your home, efficient storage is a must. Adding a few budget-friendly but clever storage solutions - whether it's pretty seagrass storage baskets in your living room, quirky coat storage in your hallway, or decorative hooks in your kitchen - will help you to keep clutter to a minimum and completely transform your space.
Hang wonderful wall art
Whether it’s a textured wall hanging, a gallery wall or a few one-off pieces, strategically placing some unique wall decor around your home can make a big difference when doing up your digs.
DIY with wallpaper
Save money on getting a professional to decorate your walls and learn how to wallpaper like an expert yourself.
Add personality with open shelving
A display of carefully curated ornaments and sentimental pieces is a cheap and cheerful way to redecorate with items you already have. Go shopping in your own home for any forgotten treasures – look for pieces in coordinating colours and contrasting textures for a harmonious result.
Need inspiration? Take a look at our favourite open shelving ideas.
Shop second-hand
Remember, one person’s trash is another’s treasure, so you may be surprised by what you discover in second-hand stores. Charity shops are great for finding items that are still high-quality but at an affordable price.
Plus, if you shop second-hand, you’ll not only be giving money to a good cause, but you’ll also be doing your bit for the planet by recycling preloved furniture.
If you can't find exactly what you want, why not transform your budget finds with some clever upcycling hacks? Our guide shows you how to upcycle bargain buys into chic accessories.
Create a feature with paint
Often people think they need to paint a whole room, but if you only want a little refresh, you can just paint a small area. Your eyes will be drawn to this update when you walk into the space and it helps breathe life into a room.
DIY painted wall arches are super popular, and we love the idea of using a graphic shape at the end of a hallway or beside a bed to provide a burst of colour whilst giving your room an architectural and contemporary feel.
Chalkboard walls also make interesting focal points and work especially well in kitchens. All you need is some chalkboard paint and some masking tape to create a wipe-clean doodle pad!
Update your kitchen cabinets
Set aside a weekend and give kitchen cabinets a fresh lick of paint. To break it down into manageable steps, tackle the wall cupboards one week and the base units the next. With chalk paint, there’s no need for sanding or priming, so you can crack straight on!
Invest in some new houseplants
Bringing the outdoors in with some new luscious houseplants is the quickest way to give your space a lift.
If you're looking for plants to spruce up your kitchen, look out for plants that can handle humidity and low light. Display them in interesting ways to make budget-friendly purchases look expensive and luxurious.
Change your window dressings
Fitting new window dressings is an easy way to give your rooms a whole new vibe in minutes. For a professional look, pick up on accent colours within your room to bring the look together.
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