For those who follow me over on Instagram, you’ll have noticed that I regularly talk about our new home which is lined up for a January move. That’s if all goes well, as it’s a new build which currently has some delays! Moving house can be an expensive game, and more so in our case, as we are getting rid of all our furniture etc from our current home, and buying most things new for the new home. Ideally, we need to do it on a budget, yet we don’t want to risk the house looking shabby. I mean, it will hopefully be our forever home, so a bigger, lavish looking abode is what I’m hoping for.
I’ve started looking into the topic quite frequently, keeping my eye out on Facebook Marketplace and other second hand spaces online to see if any real bargains pop up. Honestly, you’d be surprised when you really look! That aside, there are a few home hacks you can employ when doing up the house and making it your own. I haven’t started to do any of these just yet, but here’s my list of tips i’ll be following when it’s move in time!
Change up the lighting to make the home look bigger and more sophisticated
If you’re home doesn’t have those sleek fitted spotlights twinkling away in the ceilings, you may feel your home loses that luxe look. However, you don’t have to opt for this rather expensive upgrade to give your home a bigger, more sophisticated look. For example, by adding a statement light fixture to your living room, it creates a ‘wow’ focal point. You can also employ this tip to your dining room too. A focal statement light feature elevates the space, and is a great way to add character and interest.
If you’re looking for an affordable statement light upgrade, why not look at online marketplaces or furniture mills for retro style chandeliers? Or, upgrade an existing light by buying a simple drum or cylinder lamp shade to add to your existing lights.
Dress your windows properly
It’s amazing how a home can be judged by the windows, from both the inside and the outside. However, it’s not always the actual windows themselves which can set the ‘scene ‘ of the home – more often than none it’s how you dress them!
Blinds are todays modern day go to for sleek, tidy looking windows. Todays interior trends point to the ‘shutter’ effect, in which California shutters are one of the most popular, eye-pleasing options. In fact, there are a few ways in which me and my partner can have window shutters in Manchester without breaking the bank, and still having a visually stunning result. If you read on, there’s some DIY advice below!
If you want your windows to look clean, bright and spacious, with that modern effect, look no further than choosing blinds and shutters. Curtains can work in the bedrooms if you have bay windows and you want to add a further black out step or add a little drama to the room, but to keep costs down, it’s best to skip on having both unless absolutely necessary.
Create a mirror wall to make your space look even larger
The type of mirror you buy may depend on your space’s size, but whichever way you go, mirrors are an affordable option for instantly adding space and light to a room. Have a dark room towards the back of the house? Carefully placing a mirror facing the window will help bounce and reflect light around the room.
Hanging decorative mirrors is also an easy and very inexpensive way to instantly update the look of any room. They can increase visual square footage depending how and where you strategically place them. For example, you can create a statement mirror wall by placing large vertical mirrors next to each other on a bedroom or dressing room wall. Or, for small hallways or living spaces, a large horizontal mirror can instantly widen the room.
Look at places like IKEA and Home Bargains for a cheap buy!
Another idea for those who need rooms to be divided, is to look a walls that can be movable. You can chose Movable Walls to help to create a luxury interior which opens up to more space.
Add an elegant table and chairs set up
This one is more for those struggling to improve the look and feel of their dining room. A great way to mix up a room and make it look more luxury is to fill a bland space with something that serves a purpose. In this instance, think of a small accent table, like a stylish coffee table, or a ‘wow’ piece dining table and chair set. Something that really sets the room alive and draws eyes to it.
You can get sleek marble effect or metal tables these days which serve the purpose yet offer a unique finish. Chairs that surround the table tend to be chunkier and adorned with plus fabrics now, as one of the latest interior trends. They come with metal detailing, which give a real premium look too. If you hunt around online, you’ll potentially find this style in the Black Friday sales, or a cheaper alternative in a high street furniture store.
Go DIY if you can
Luxury blinds certainly look the part, but did you know you can get the same effect for a much lower cost when you do-it-yourself? The first thing to do is to find a high quality, affordable hardwood window shutter store, like California Shutters. They deliver to Manchester, which is where our new house will be close to, so it was a good online find for me. By following the helpful guides online, you can easily fit them yourself, which can certainly save some money!
You’ll find videos on their website, guiding you through everything from measuring to fitting, so that the end result is incredible looking hardwood shutters. There’s lots of bespoke plantation shutter styles. and with the expertise to hand online, it’s a great way to get premium looking shutters at a lower price.
Repainting and wallpaper where necessary
A fresh coat of paint is a budget-friendly way to liven up any room and make it look smarter, cleaner and fresher. If you’re a little stuck for ways to spruce up your rooms, opt for go-to shades, such as neutral tones like cream, taupe and greige. If you do wish to opt for a deeper shade, like sage green, earth tones or plums, keep these to one accent wall so that they add depth but don’t look too dark and overpowering.
Don’t disregard using wallpaper, too. You just have to be quite savvy about the paper you use. Bold colours and clashing prints can make a room look too busy, which can cheapen the look. However wallpapers with light textures and subtle patterns can hide imperfections, add great colour, and give that higher-end feel to the home.
Have I missed any tips? Do feel free to let me know in the comments!
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