Decorating on a budget – 5 tried-and-tested tips

There’s no two ways about it – re-decorating can be a real headache for many people. Not only do you have to plan what you’re going to do, but then you’ve got to actually follow through with it and splash the cash. But what if there was an easier way?

We’ve put together 7 useful tips to follow if you’re looking to decorate your home, to help you stay within budget and avoid overwhelming outgoings.

1. Accessorise without breaking the bank

There are limitless ways to give your home a new look. Instead of going all out and splashing out unnecessarily, consider whether you could update your style by cleverly accessorising.

If your sofa’s seen better days, it would be easy to conclude you need to purchase a new one. Before you scrap it, consider whether you could salvage it. Find yourself a comfortable throw that fits the style of the room, and add a few colourful cushions to complete its new-found lease of life.

If you find that certain areas need a breath of fresh air, why not decorate with flowers or low-maintenance plants to add extra visuals into the room. You can find lots of house plants, which require little to no looking after, in any garden centre or even online.

2. Shop the sales

Are you happy scouring the high street in search of price reductions? Then there’s a ton of bargains out there for you to discover. However, we understand that most people prefer to do their shopping online. If you know what you’re looking for and have a Gmail account, try setting up Google Alerts. You can set keywords for particular products and brands you like, and get notifications straight to your inbox when news about those keywords is published.

You can also sign up to your favourite brands’ mailing lists and wait for the deals to come to you. The big brands hold regular sales, and you can often tailor your email preferences to include products you’re actually interested in. But don’t forget to shop small as well; the independents are where some of the best deals are found!

3. If you’re buying cheap, buy extra

Rule number one of saving money – buy cheap. If you’re happy to slightly compromise on quality, then there’s no reason you shouldn’t shop around for the best deals. But be wary of short-term financial savings coming back around to bite you in the long run.

If you’re purchasing cheaper decorating products such as paint, then you need to consider how long that particular coat will last. If you’re constantly having to re-touch, any excess you had left will soon disappear. By buying a little extra, you have back-up for any quick repairs that are needed. But remember – do your research and check customer reviews if you’re buying at discount!

4. Shop second-hand and upcycle 

These don’t have to go hand in hand, as we know a lot of you won’t be comfortable embarking on new DIY projects. That’s okay – you can still pick up great deals for furniture and accessories that are in good nick.

Many people sell on or donate old items for a number of reasons. They might be moving home and don’t have room for it, or they themselves might be upgrading to something newer. Facebook’s Marketplace is a great tool to use if you’re looking for local sellers, and you can get as much information as needed before making a potential purchase.

If you do want to try your hand at restoring second-hand buys, this is the perfect place to get started. For example, you can purchase a used coffee table from around £30 if it’s a little worse for wear – simply sand it down and add a lick of paint and you can have it looking good as new again.

5. Consider the alternatives before splashing out on expensive flooring

If you’re scrimping the pounds, but find yourself in dire need of a new floor, there are cheaper alternatives. Whilst everyone would love to be able to afford real wood flooring for their homes, sometimes the budget just doesn’t stretch that far.

Even if you’ve got your heart set on wood, there’s another way to get the desired effect without draining your funds. Luxury Vinyl Tiles – better known as LVT – are a great alternative if you want the wood look in your home. There’s a huge amount of styles out there to choose from, and it’s easier to fit – meaning you’ll save on installation costs, too.

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