6 Fabulous Ways to Refresh Your Home Without Clearing Out Your Wallet
Feeling a bit tired of your current space? A little change can do wonders! Discover six budget-friendly tips that will transform your home into a stylish, welcoming retreat that brings a smile to your face every day.
1. Declutter, Organise and Rearrange Your Accessories
Take everything off the shelves, give everything a good clean, and then rearrange everything. Before you put it back, ask yourself, “Does this still bring me joy?” If the answer is no, then gift it away. If it’s maybe, put it in a box and if you don’t think about it in 6 months, gift it away. If it’s yes, then place it in a new space and see what looks nice together.
Create a new vignette, build a new stack of your most loved books and swap out accessories in different rooms. Swapping out accessories like pillows, rugs and curtains can give your home a quick makeover. You can also always buy a few new soft furnishings with a pop of colour to brighten or cozy up for the season.
Tips:
- Mix and match patterns and textures for a dynamic look.
- Build layers with books to add texture, personality and volume to any surface.
- Choose seasonal accessories for a fresh look throughout the year.
- Meander in vintage or antique stores for budget-friendly finds.
- Layering adds texture and depth to your space. See what else you can pull out of the cupboard and layer up. Throws, cushions, I love layering books on coffee tables, art against a wall, vases, candles, the options are endless.
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- After | Laundry
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- Before | Laundry
Ok, so above might be a before and after laundry renovation, but just shows you how a little spacial reorganisation can make a world of difference. I sooo wanted to get my hands on organising the before but had to restrain. OMG things like this give me so much joy!
2. Rearrange Your Furniture
Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all you need. Rearranging furniture can make your space feel new and different without spending a cent. Even if your place is small like mine, you can move a few chairs around, art or even just pulling your sofas away from the wall and putting them at an angle can give a bit of a fresh feel. I have nested coffee tables and love to move them around my living room space.
Tips:
- Focus on creating a more open layout.
- Highlight a focal point like a fireplace or a window. I love making art a great focal point.
- Ensure good traffic flow and accessibility always. Create a clear pathway and flow around your home.
- If your place is small, check out our 10 clever tips when living small.
3. Add a Splash of Paint, Wallpaper or Create a Feature Wall/Mural
A new coat of paint can dramatically change the look and feel of a room. It’s one of the most cost-effective ways to refresh your space and really change the mood in the room.
Tips:
- Choose an accent wall to add a pop of colour. Or, I love to just paint the whole room and even the ceiling can be fabulous for the right space.
- Refresh old furniture with a new coat of paint. Also consider painting the insides of pieces, doors, draws, even wallpaper can have a wow impact.
- Experiment with trending colours or timeless classics. All I say, is just give it a go, you can always paint over it.
When embarking on a paint project:
- Choose the right wall, considering the room’s natural focal point.
- Select a bold color or pattern.
- Prepare the wall by sanding down rough spots, filling holes or cracks and cleaning the surface.
- Choose high-quality paint or removable wallpaper. I love painting tiles in a laundry, kitchen or bathroom but make sure you have paint made for tiles.
- Make it pop with additional touches like trimmings, framed artwork or shelving. I love floating shelves.
4. Add Greenery and a New Fragrance
Plants can breathe life into any room. They add colour, texture and a sense of tranquility. Combining greenery with a pleasant fragrance can really elevate the ambiance of your home even further.
Tips:
- Choose low-maintenance plants if you’re new to gardening. I definitely don’t have the gift of green fingers so always ask your nursery professional what the best plant is for your space and amount of light, and in my case, the plant that needs minimal love.
- Use a variety of planters and pots to add visual interest. I love layering and having different heights and plants clustered together.
- Create a small indoor garden or a window herb garden for functional decor.
- Introduce super-sized flowers or foliage for an eye-catching arrangement. You can do this in a vase as a centre piece and always looks amazing.
- Incorporate grounding elements like greenery, comforting fragrances, varied textures, and optimize home wellness through ventilation, light and placement.
- Add scents with candles, diffusers or essential oils to create a welcoming and soothing environment. Choose scents that you love and that complement the atmosphere you want to create in each room. For instance, lavender for relaxation in the bedroom, citrus for freshness in the kitchen, and vanilla for warmth in the living area.
By combining these elements, you can create a harmonious and inviting space that not only looks good but also feels and smells sooooo good too.
5. Update Your Lighting
Lighting can dramatically affect the ambiance of your home. With the wide range of affordable and stylish portable lights available, you can easily update your lighting accessories. Adding lights in the corners on the floor facing up can totally change the mood in your space and looks so much cosier and luxe.
Tips:
- Use different height floor lamps and table lamps to add layers of light.
- Try LED strip lights for under cabinets or behind furniture for a modern touch.
- Swap out old light fixtures for new, energy-efficient models. Always thinking of the environment.
- Experiment with smart bulbs to change the mood with different colours and intensities.
6. DIY – Revamp, Repaint or Rework
Get creative with do-it-yourself projects. DIY decor is not only cost-effective but also allows you to personalise your space. Have you inherited any pieces that you would do something fun with? Any artwork that you can add your own touches, reframe, or hang?
Tips:
- Repurpose old items into new decor pieces (e.g. pallet furniture, vases, boxes, small tables).
- Create your own artwork or wall hangings.
- Explore online tutorials and workshops for inspiration and guidance.
- Update hardware: If renovating is out of your budget, consider refreshing your existing pieces with some new hardware such as handles, wallpaper the insides, add some coats of paint to give your pieces a whole new look and feel.
Refreshing your home doesn’t have to be expensive. With a bit of creativity and effort, you can transform your space into a stylish oasis. Try these cost-effective tips and enjoy the new energy of your refreshed sanctuary.
Need help? We are always happy to jump on a call and go through your home and give you some tips.