HOW TO GIVE YOUR HOME A REFRESH ON A BUDGET

Start with some paint and a brush

If you could only do one single thing to the exterior of your home, I would say use your money and buy a paintbrush and a bright coloured pot of paint and jazz up the front door!

You could carry on by purchasing a couple of pots for the area outside your front door and plant colourful annuals. Hey presto instant colour and street appeal!

Moving to the interior Your entry

Stylish or a dumping ground. If the later, you can make improvements by adding a mirror to lighten the area up, a small bowl or plate for keys, a stool for taking off shoes and a dedicated hook for visitor’s coats.

House plants

Replace clutter with house plants and your home will take on a whole new feel. Yes, house plants can be quite expensive, but you might be able to get cuttings from family and friends and grow your own.

And when you have the plants, be imaginative with what you are going to use for your plant containers. I have an old metal bucket and my peace lily thrives in it.

A new rug adds warmth and depth

By replacing or purchasing either a floor rug or a throw on your couch, you will be able to add interest, texture, and warmth. It will give your room a ton of personality! Suddenly, your room can take on a whole new vibe.

From old to new light fixtures

Just by replacing a light fixture, you can give your room a more modern look. Hunt out second-hand stores, check out garage sales, revamp, and paint old fixtures, all it takes is your imagination.

Declutter and rearrange

By getting rid of surplus clutter and by rearranging your furniture, your room will take on a fresh look. Even a piece of soft fabric hemmed and draped over your curtain rails will soften the feel of your room.

Find a new home for all those magazines, throw out well used candles and look at different uses for some of your pieces of furniture.

The bathroom

I have just gone through all my old towels and have been slowly replacing them with big fluffy new ones. Look out when towels come on sale, they are some great savings to be had. New towels can freshen up your bathroom, so why not go for a new colour range! Remember handtowels, bathmats, and facecloths. You do not need to replace them all at once, just budget and purchase them when you can.

When did you last sort your bookcase?

Have you dusted your bookcase lately and when did you last read those paperback?

Pull everything from your bookcase and give it a good clean. Put back the books you are going to read and mix in a few personal items such as photos, small items of art or even that special piece of pewter or China.

By replacing faded artwork, adding new cupboard handles, painting, or wallpapering a feature wall, you can add your personal taste and refresh your home on a budget. . . give it a go!