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No matter if you are moving, or improving, our newsletter is packed with the best tips, tricks and ideas to help you dwell well.
Whether it’s your first time moving out of your parents or you’re renovating your existing property to give it a new lease of life, it can be hard to know where to put your budget. Unless you’re lucky enough to have an unlimited budget for decorating and furnishing your property, you’ll need to strike a balance between keeping costs low without it affecting the look and feel of your home. Here, we’ll look at where you can cut costs when updating your home, and where it’s worth spending a little more.
The first place you should consider spending your budget is on seating — in particular, armchairs and sofas. If you choose wisely, a well-made sofa can last you decades and provide plenty of comfort. Just consider how often you sit on your living room furniture. It’s a place where you gather with friends, chat with family, and relax after a long day at work.
So, choosing a sofa or armchair that’s well suited to your home environment will ensure that it lasts many years to come and will stay comfortable. For example, opt for a neutral colour that won’t clash with changing colour schemes in the room, and if you have young children, pick a material that can be cleaned easily to prevent the sofa from looking worn and dated prematurely.
Top tip: Choose a well-made sofa that’s suited to your home environment and it will last you decades.
Curtains, cushions and rugs don’t need to cost the earth to be beautiful. The costs of these items can be high, especially in the case of curtains, because of the amount of fabric required to make them. But there are some great suppliers out there that aren’t too expensive and still offer thick, durable materials in a range of colours, textures and patterns.
If you’re someone who likes to change up their decor often, replacing curtains and rugs every time can get expensive. So cutting costs by choosing budget-friendlier textiles and soft furnishings, is a better use of your budget and gives you the flexibility to change up colours and textures as you see fit.
Top tip: Choose a budget-friendly supplier for your soft furnishings so you can change-up your decor more frequently.
You want your home to be as secure as possible, and that means assessing the outside of your property as well as the inside. A garage door can be a neglected area of your home, so whether you’ve been in your property for years and are looking to update it or you’ve just moved into a home and don’t know how long the garage door has been in place, now’s the perfect time to replace it for a new, stronger model.
While it’s possible to buy a garage door on a budget, you’ll need to carefully consider your options to ensure that you’re getting a brand that’s durable so you don’t wind up spending more on repairs later. Materials are the key to a door that will last, with GRP and steel doors the most long-lasting and impact-resistant. You can keep costs down by skipping the custom features, but this is an area you’ll want to invest a little more on for a garage door that’s sturdy, secure and built to last.
Top tip: Make sure you do your research and invest in a garage door that will keep your home secure.
Paint or wallpaper can make a huge difference to your home, adding a touch of personality to a room and that all-important splash of colour to liven up the space. But you can add personality without spending a fortune on expensive paint brands, and in fact, there are good quality manufacturers providing a broad range of hues for less than the leading companies.
It’s an inexpensive way to freshen up your property, give it a new lease of life and still keep to a budget. Accent walls, for example, are cost effective because you can buy a smaller tin of paint in a bold colour or a few rolls of wallpaper in an interesting pattern to make a feature that’s impactful but affordable.
Top tip: Creating an accent wall in your room will give it character, while remaining budget friendly.
Worktops need to be functional and long-lasting, as they’re a key feature of your kitchen. For this reason, it’s recommended you invest a bit more of your budget here over other areas of your kitchen, that can often be freshened up with a coat of paint or some new hardware, such as cabinets. You could go bold with your wall colours or stick to neutrals, but whatever style you go for, there are worktops that will add flair and elegance to complete the overall look.
While laminate is affordable, it’s not built to last in the same way that quartz, granite or marble are, so consider the material you choose for a worktop that will remain a core component of your kitchen for many years to come.
Top tip: Choose quartz, granite or marble for a long-lasting and durable kitchen worktop.
There’s no denying that there are some beautiful interior brands on the market where you can buy luxury items to adorn your home with. But instead, put that money towards other areas of your renovations or refurbishments and alternatively opt for budget-friendly items that are affordable and easy to switch out if and when your tastes change. Interior trends change often so if you want to keep your property in keeping with the latest styles, accessories are a great way to do that, without it costing a huge amount of money every few months.
Top tip: Choose cheaper accents and accessories so you have the option to change them to match your current tastes.
Lighting makes such a difference to the look and ambiance of a room, so it’s the perfect place to spend a little more and invest in high quality lighting that makes a statement. For example, you could install a chandelier light in a dining room for impact, or wall sconces in the living room to create that cosy atmosphere in the evenings when you’re relaxing. Likewise, beautiful pendant lights in the kitchen will brighten up the room and add elegance and style to what is otherwise a functional space.
You don’t have to break the bank when it comes to lighting, but it is an area of your decor that can be worth spending a little more to get specific styles that will really elevate the design of your home and create that high end feel instantly.
Top tip: Spend a little more on quality lighting options for your home to create the look and feel you desire.
If you’re planning on updating your property in 2023, whether for yourself or to put it on the market, these tips will hopefully help you to spend your budget in the right way by investing where it matters and cutting costs, while keeping your home stylish and comfortable.
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