The start of a new year is the perfect time to hit the refresh button and breathe new life into your living space. While funds may be tight for some of us this time of year, this doesn’t necessarily mean you have to pause your home makeover plans. A thrifty attitude and a little creativity are all you need to completely transform your home into the dreamy, contemporary and luxurious living space you deserve.
Give these home makeover tips a go to update your space without breaking the bank.
1. Thrift and upcycle
Ditch the hefty price tags at retail stores and opt for second-hand items for your home instead. Not only is this a more budget-friendly way to update your home, but it also allows you to create a statement piece that is unique to your individual style and home.
“Sanding down and re-staining a dated dining set or adding new hardware and a lick of paint to an old chest of drawers can take pre-owned furniture items from drab to chic in not time,” says Claire Cobbledick of Gumtree South Africa. “
2. Get artsy
Why not channel your inner Picasso and create your own artwork to adorn your walls?
There are plenty of DIY wall art ideas and tutorials to choose from online, and you can make it as intricate or simple as you like.
You can also browse online classifieds for picture frames of various sizes to create a gallery wall of your favourite photographs or prints. You could even tear off a few attractively designed pages from an old calendar to frame, or stretch out a piece of pretty fabric in a large frame to one big artwork statement piece for a focal wall.
3. Make your own furniture
Buying furniture can be costly, which is why many homeowners opt for making their own. A few wooden apple crates can be stacked together, sanded and painted to make a bookcase. Have a look at the many tutorials available online for a step-by-step guide to making everything from coffee tables to patio furniture out of wooden pallets.
4. Just add paint
A fresh lick of paint does wonders for updating any space. Applying a few coats of brilliant white interior paint to walls is an easy an often more cost-effective way to bring a fresh new feel to a room.
The same goes for kitchen cabinetry – a vibrant pop of colour can dramatically transform the entire look of a kitchen, saving you the cost and stress of replacing cabinets that are in perfectly good condition.
5. Pay attention to detail
A chipped tile or drops of dried paint on floors might seem like unimportant details, but it’s these small details that make all the difference to the overall look of a home. Go around the house and make a note of things that need repair, replacing or perhaps a new coat of paint. Look specifically at skirting boards, door handles, cupboard door corners and cornicing on the ceiling.
If you aren’t particularly handy with a toolbox, it’s a good idea to call in a professional – use sites like Gumtree to find a handyman in your area. Remember to look at a few reputable options and compare quotes to find the option that best suits your needs and budget.
Creating the home of your dreams doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg – home makeovers on a budget are completely possible thanks to thrift stores, online classifieds and marketplaces, and a little ingenuity!
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