Buying your first home is a really big deal and a major milestone. So, it’s only natural you will want your new place to really look the business.
At the same time, the huge expense involved in acquiring your longed-for property will also mean finding additional funds for the latest interiors trends may be easier said than done.
Even if you have factored decoration into your budget, most of us tend to be limited in this area when we are purchasing the home on the first rung of the property ladder.
However, the good news is, there is plenty you can to enhance the spaces in your home without blowing the budget.
According to Lucy Henderson, head of interior design at My Bespoke Room, there are some smart techniques you can use to enhance your home. With a bit of planning at the outset, you should be able to achieve a stylish look without spending too much money.
Here’s how…
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Give your new home a clutter-free deep clean
Having a blank – and clean – canvas is the best way to see what you’ve got to work with. So, when you first move in, avoid unpacking everything to enable yourself to have a clutter-free deep clean.
Lucy said: “It can be tempting but try not to unpack everything all at once, as this can cause unnecessary clutter and make the space feel chaotic and claustrophobic.
“It’s best to be selective about what you need, if you can, have a designated room that you can confine the clutter to and close the door on it while you get sorted.”
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Gather together your ideas
If you are chomping at the bit to get your paintbrush out – you’ll need to be patient. Lucy recommends creating a Pinterest (or similar) board to collect our ideas and inspiration first.
Don’t limit yourself to one design – explore different themes and colours and imagine how they might look in your home.
Jumping in too soon with a fixed idea of what your home should look like may lead to a mistake which you will have to pay to change.
Lucy added: “Don’t rush, start by creating a Pinterest board and pin anything and everything you like, soon you will start to notice particular styles, colours and themes emerging.
“After seeing what you are drawn to – from here you can create a home that’s uniquely yours.”
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Don’t know where to start? Begin with the rest rooms
If you’ve got a limited budget, you may only be able to afford to revamp a couple of rooms. If this is the case, Lucy advises choosing the bedroom and living room.
“Prioritise your rest spaces and where you will be spending a lot of time,” she said. “Focus on turning your bedroom into a sanctuary to escape the mess and chaos, the living room should be next on the list, however, don’t make any snap purchases when it comes to your sofa – and make sure you measure properly.”
Bathrooms and kitchens are the most expensive rooms to update, so it may be advisable to work on these later.
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Small changes which can make a big difference
Be open to the transformational power of a rug. Not only do they hide scuff marks or unmovable dirt, they make a room feel warmer, reduce echo and can provide the basis for your colour scheme.
Lucy added: “Investing in artwork, prints and plants can easily bring your personality and life into your house. This is a quick and relatively inexpensive way to add your personal touches – depending on how many plants you buy.”
Consider buying second hand from charity shops or Facebook marketplace to save money and to avoid contributing to ‘fast furnishing’. Ask family and friends if they have any unwanted items too.
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Painting the walls – how to get it right
Painting the room is the obvious interiors quick fix. Do it yourself to make it cheaper and if you’ve got your heart set on a shade from an expensive paint range, but can’t afford it, most paint shops will be able to mix a similar colour from cheaper brands.
Lucy explained: “Colour can influence our mood and affect how we feel when in certain rooms so it’s important to consider the room use before deciding [on the colour].
“For example, blue is generally a calming colour and therefore ideal for bedrooms, offices or living rooms. Green is also a relaxing colour which can be great for a home office or living room.”
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Looking premium on a budget
Want to channel ‘grand’ and ‘beautiful’ but don’t have the budget? Not a problem.
Lucy said: “We suggest swapping out the hardware on doors and cabinetry for more luxurious and sleek handles or painting your cabinets a new bold colour such as black to add that lavish feel.
“You can also look to replace dated light fittings and swap over lampshades to create an opulent feel. Soft furnishings like rugs, throws and pillows are also a quick and easy way to add style to a room.”
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Consider your positioning
How you position your furniture and accessories can make a dramatic difference – the key is to ‘try before you buy’.
Lucy suggests getting the measurements of furniture first, then use masking tape or boxes to experiment with different layouts.
You may find the sofa you fell in love with fits perfectly; but you may also save yourself a costly mistake or a lot of hassle by discovering it won’t fit.
Lucy said: “Positioning can really make a difference when it comes to decorating your new home, you don’t want items that are too big and take over the space.
“Think about the size of the furniture you buy, is it going to fit comfortably, and will it allow for enough space for a side table on either side or will it be easy to pull dining chairs out?”
Try to avoid positioning furniture in front of radiators as this will reduce the efficiency of your heating and impact our energy bills.
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