This post is written by guest author, Helen Bradford. More information on Helen can be found at the end of the post.
Sometime after my ex moved out, I decided to redecorate my home, to freshen up my life a bit if you will. But doing any major work was out of the question, so I had to resort to my own creativity to do it on a tight budget and still get the results I wanted. Through conversations with my friends and acquaintances I realised how many people would like to do just that – refresh the interior décor with as little expense as possible and with maximum result. Here is some advice which helped me get things into perspective and achieve what I wanted.
Change the colour
The easiest thing to do is change the colour, not only of the walls but also of furniture and accessories such as curtains, shutters and carpets. Wall paint can be expensive, depending on the manufacturer and type, but there are also quality kinds on the market at very affordable prices. If your walls are in good shape, and just need some small touching up and painting, make a party out of it and do it yourself. Call your friends, put on some old clothes, make hats out of newspaper and have fun. Wallpaper is another option, and this way you can add some patterns and motifs to your walls.
Redesign the furniture
Another big item here is to change the furniture. You can either use covers and overlays or change the upholstery and repaint the woodwork. This may sound like a lot of work, but it can actually be done in a couple of days if you hire professionals. If you do it yourself, it may take longer if you’ve never done it before, but if you follow instructions, you can have some fun and creativity will boost your spirit. Buying new furniture is the easiest way, and you can make it more affordable by selling your old one and checking out sales and discounts.
Accessorise
This one you may find tricky because every home already has accessories which are either there for their ornamental or sentimental value, or both. The best manner to replace the old ones from your home and not feel regret or additionally clutter your home, is to place them in some cheap storage. When it comes to buying new accessories, try not to go overboard and fit them in with the rest of the design. Add something organic, like a vase of flowers or a potted plant. Change the pillows on the sofa and give it layers with different patterns and textures.
Revive your windows
Several things are noticeable right away when you walk into the room and one of them are the windows. Besides the usual, like painting the frame and changing the curtains, there are some other things you can do to change their appearance. Consider painting the wall around your windows in a different colour than the rest of the walls so you accentuate their position. You can place some potted plants on their sill and even add some stickers to your windowpane.
Add art
When you think about adding some art to your home, it usually means hanging paintings on the wall and placing some figurines here and there. But it is actually much more because art is personal and it represents your sentiments and emotions. That’s why you can make some of your own if you are the creative type, or you can turn it into a vintage collection. You can hang an old map, needlepoint projects or decorated plates, but no matter how fantastic you think it is, try not to create a museum but a warm room dedicated to your interests.
Consider different lighting
Light is very important for the room and overall mood of its occupants. It’s best if you can bring lots of natural light to the room, but you can also use some of the tricks with lights to set the mood of the room during evenings. One of the ways to bring in more sunlight is to place a mirror across from a window so it reflects the light. You can change the chandelier or opt out from using any and instead install wall-mounted or floor lamps in different designs and shapes.
Finally
Breathing new life into your old room will change you, too. It will symbolise the new chapter in your life and create much needed space to reinvent yourself in any capacity you need. And although it may seem like a lot of work, this kind of activity will actually make you feel invigorated rather than tired, as well as ready for the new challenges tomorrow will bring.
Author Bio: Helen Bradford is a literature enthusiast whose current interests are business and interior design so she tends to combine those things when writing. She spends her spare time reading, traveling and doing fitness. You can find her on Twitter.
This post is linked up with Kylie Purtell’s Capturing Life for #IBOT
8 Comments
We’ve got mirrors across from the windows and even though the room is very dark, they really do add a lot of light. When I think of changing the colour of a room, I always think about paint but I love the idea of changing up the colour of furnishing and accessories instead… It’s a lot less messy for a start!
Mirrors across from windows would be amazing and give the room not only light but the ability to see the outdoors from many aspects. I agree that changing furnishings and accessories is a lot less messy than paint! I like to swap out cushions if I get bored with colours and want a fresh new look. 🙂
I’m looking forward to decorating our new place, once hubby goes to sea in a fortnight. My broken ribs should be fixed by then. Our new ceiling will be in. Then I can have some real fun. As much as I’m enjoying our new house. I think the fact that hubby unpacked and his idea of styling is strategic dumping grounds for his crap, means I haven’t been feeling as settled as I would like. Hubby isn’t going to know what hit him when he gets back. I should be able to do a lot of damage (LOL) in the month he is away.
Oh Raychael I had no idea you had broken ribs! What happened? I am so not keeping up with everyone and everything these days. I hope you have a ball decorating your new place. Go to town during the month while you can haha. How exciting! Hope you’re feeling better soon! xo
Hi Min, I need to do this in our main bedroom, it feels a bit dark and gloomy at the moment. I’d love to try wallpaper. I really like Gumtree to find some good second hand bargains online
Our house is feeling dark and gloomy too lately Clare. There’s some bushes grown too high and blocking light through the front windows. That one is easily fixed but other rooms are not so easy. A very complicated room structure prevents us being able to have good skylights where we want them. A sky tube has been installed in one area but really doesn’t do the trick. Isn’t it funny how wallpaper is popular again and there are so many beautiful options. I used to have a wallpapered room when I was a child and I thought it was so beautiful. I agree that Gumtree is awesome to find some bargains! xo
Some great tips in this post. My lounge room and family room are the brightest in the home. My kitchen / dinning room are very dark. I am looking at paint and other options that may brighten them up a bit more and maybe adding another skylight in somewhere. Love the idea of wall paper. I must check some out.
I have dark rooms in this house too Beck – mostly caused by the addition of the pergola area and for other reasons as I outlined to Clare in response to her comment. Yes wallpaper is once again popular and there are some beautiful ones out there – not just patterns but textures too. I’d really like a skylight in our kitchen/dining area which is too dark particularly in the afternoons – but can’t due to a complicated roof structure. Fresh paint is something I will do when I can find the time and energy! xo