Top tips for decorating on a budget

Create a stylish lounge room without spending a fortune

Q I want my lounge room to look amazing but I don’t have a lot of money to spend. Can you give me some tips?

A It might seem expensive to put together a lounge room, but the truth is lounges don’t cost as much as they used to.

“Whether you’re trying to do it on a budget or not, you can pick up a lounge for under $500,” Focus On Furniture marketing manager Samantha Clarke (pictured) said.

“You can go for a much more affordable lounge and then you can get fabric protection on top of that.

“You’re getting that warranty and peace of mind that the fabric’s going to last without having to spend a significant amount of money to have the top-end fabric.”

For those who are budgetconscious, Samantha advised avoiding leather, which can cost more. She said the lounge was the most important piece in a lounge room and selecting the right colour could add longevity.

“If you keep your lounge and the big investment pieces quite neutral, it means you can bring the colour and style in with the accessories,” she said.

“You can mix your accessories up every year or couple of years and you’re not having to repurchase the big-ticket items.”

Samantha also said pieces worth keeping for longer included a beautiful rug and lighting, but artwork doesn’t have to be expensive.

“There are a lot of affordable artwork options, you certainly do not need to go out and buy a designer piece,” she said. “I think the right lighting choice and the right artwork can make a room.”

Samantha advised against spending a lot on accessories such as cushions to achieve a great look.

“We’ve got a huge range of them at Focus On Furniture,” she said.

“We set up the ranges in the colours, based on trends, so you don’t have to think about it.”

For the final touches, she said retailers such as Kmart had a great range of bowls, dishes and vases.

‘‘ IF YOU KEEP YOUR LOUNGE AND THE BIG INVESTMENT PIECES QUITE NEUTRAL, IT MEANS YOU CAN BRING THE COLOUR AND STYLE IN WITH THE ACCESSORIES.

SOFA SO GOOD: The classic Oxley two-seater sofa from Focus on Furniture is a good starting point for a lounge room.

Artwork from Urban Road is a great addition for lounge rooms on a budget.

The Enterprise corner lounge from Focus on Furniture makes a great neutral base from which to build on.