5 DECORATING IDEAS FOR WHEN YOU'RE BROKE
One of the downsides I find in loving interiors is that we don't often have a lot of spare cash to decorate.
The focus for a while was saving and saving for a loft conversion. And then that blew the budget (this post will tell you what else we learned from our experience).
I'm not going to pretend I don't get grumpy about it but it has forced me to think a little bit differently. When I look back over the past couple of years, I can see I've developed five tricks that have allowed me to improve my home and which have saved me hundreds of pounds.
So, in no particular order, here are the decorating tricks I'm relying on right now to get an interiors fix when the bank balance says no:
1. SHOPPING YOUR HOME - UP A NOTCH
You might have heard about 'shopping your home' to refresh your decor. In other words, switching around your pictures, table lamps, rugs etc from room to room to give your space a whole new look for free.
A lack of cash has led to me taking the concept up a notch.
I'd been noticing American bloggers on Pinterest putting their TVs on sets of drawers - not feeling the need to have a 'TV stand'. I really liked the look but couldn’t find anything in budget.
The solution came when we were having a clear out of our garden shed and found some bedside cabinets from our previous home. Pushed together the cabinets are the perfect size for the alcove in our living room where we have our TV. Could I really do that?
Bedside cabinets as a TV stand. Decorating tricks like shopping your home can save hundreds.
I'll be honest, I had little wobbles about being so random. I mean, bedroom furniture in the living room? TWO cabinets pushed together? But, I’ve had it this way for about two years so I think it’s a keeper!
2. RELAX ABOUT ART
Buying art can be a big financial commitment and finding something you like also takes time.
A cheap way of introducing art is to think more broadly about it. Think about framing greetings cards or wallpaper. Bring things out of cupboards like favourite mugs to add some personality.
Inexpensive things like greetings cards and book covers used as art
3. SHOP SALES WISELY
Who doesn't love a good sale? Sometimes though, I realise that I've bought something that goes with nothing and isn't my style - but it was half price. I haven't saved money, I've wasted it.
I've come to learn that a better way to save money in sales is to buy the things you've already had your eye on like I did with the West Elm rug in my living room. It took patience to wait, because I REALLY wanted that rug. But waiting not only saved a load of money, it also meant I was sure I definitely liked it.
4. REPURPOSE EVERYDAY ITEMS
My home is seriously lacking in side tables. Fixing this is on my very long list of things fighting for budget so in the meantime I've improvised in my living room with a stack of magazines. I'm not saying that this is a forever solution but I've had my magazine tower come side table for a while now. It does the job and it's free.
Decorating tricks to save money. Try a stack of magazines as a side table
5. PIN DOWN YOUR STYLE
I've left this one until last but really it's probably the most important. I've only recently managed to pin down my style and I can see how it's going to make decorating so much easier and cheaper in the long run.
Previously, I'd fancy or need to buy something new and would go with whatever thing I liked enough at the time. As a result, I didn't have a common thread running through my decorating and it just didn't look right.
Now I'm only buying things that work with my style - bold and a little bit glam. If it doesn't fit the criteria, I don't buy it. That saves me money because I’ll be keeping things for longer and accessories that are my style work in several rooms making it easy to shop my own home.
If you haven't yet worked out your style - and I know it can be hard - Kimberly at Swoonworthy has a great guide about using Pinterest to define your personal style. It is definitely worth a read.
I hope you've found this post useful. Why not give some of these decorating tricks a go?
Until I get that lottery win I know I'll be relying on them.
Victoria x
P.S. If you’ve found this useful, you might also like my post outlining the five things that every stylish home has in common. Let’s make sure we spend our cash where it gives us the best style boost!
