Have you put off doing home updates this year due to budget constraints? Are you feeling like you have no time to undertake a big project? There are a lot of small changes you can make to your space that can make a huge difference in the look and feel, and you don’t have to blow your budget to do it!
Fresh Paint – The number one tip for budget friendly upgrades is always paint, and for good reason! Even just a fresh coat of white paint can instantly brighten up a space and make it feel like new again. Not ready to commit to painting a whole room? Try an accent wall with a pop of colour for a quicker turnaround and lower cost.
Pops of Colour – If you’re not ready to commit to a bold shade on the walls, colourful accessories are your friends. Especially in smaller spaces like bathrooms, you can get a lot of bang for your buck by focusing on eye catching details. Even in the main living spaces, a colourful planter or a new throw blanket in an eye popping shade can add a big punch of personality.
Temporarily remove all knickknacks and decorations – Sometimes we get so used to our own things that it’s easy to overlook when a style or display isn’t working for us anymore. A simple tip is to take down all your décor and knickknack displays and see how you feel about your space as a blank canvas. Add back items in small stages and judge how each addition makes you feel. You may decide to put everything back the way it was, or maybe there’s a few pieces that can be stored away or moved to a different part of your home.
Focus on your furniture – In the same way we can become blind to the decorations in our home, furniture placement is another area that often gets overlooked. Moving around big items can change the whole feeling of a space, and it’s a free way to completely change the look of a room. Pay close attention to the traffic flow through the room and ease of vacuuming for future. Live with the change for a few days to get used to the new layout, you can always move it back to the way it was if it doesn’t work.
Second Hand Goods – Sometimes you just need that extra piece of furniture or artwork to really complete your space. Don’t discount online sites like Facebook Marketplace or VarageSale. You can score incredible deals on furniture and décor items in great condition (or great for a future project!). Your dollars will stretch a lot further than buying from a big box store, and you can get amazing and unique pieces that you won’t see anywhere else.
Written by: Sarah Park (sarah@jj.team)