DIY ideas: affordable methods to enhance your home

Transform Your Home on a Budget: Expert Tips for a Fresh Look

As summer approaches, it’s a great time to refresh your home without overspending. With a bit of creativity and effort, you can make significant changes to your living spaces. Here’s some expert advice on how to revamp your interiors affordably.

Kitchen

Georgina Burnett, an expert in upcycling and interiors, suggests painting your kitchen units as a cost-effective makeover. “If you have some painting skills, consider taking off the doors and turning your kitchen into a painting station,” she advises. “Use a high-quality eggshell or a specific kitchen paint. Clean all surfaces thoroughly with sugar soap or methylated spirits to remove grease, then prime with a multi-surface primer if needed. For bare wood, use a suitable primer.”

Burnett recommends checking the instructions for drying times and applying at least two coats of the top coat. For a good choice of paint, the Painters World website suggests Zinsser AllCoat, which is priced around £18 per litre and can cover about 10 square meters. “Spray painting can give a different finish but is messier and requires more space,” she notes. Testing paint samples or using lining paper can help you choose the right color.

Sophie Clemson from The Living House suggests simple updates like changing cupboard handles. “New handles can dramatically change the look of your kitchen,” she says. “Also, consider replacing some wall cupboards with open shelving for a modern feel. Scaffolding boards can be an affordable option for shelving.”

Bathroom

Updating your bathroom can be both simple and budget-friendly. Clemson recommends painting dated tiles with bathroom tile paint to modernize the space. Rust-Oleum offers tile paint for about £24.99 per tin, and they also provide grout paint for an updated look.

For flooring, self-adhesive floor tiles like Floorpops are a cost-effective solution. A pack of 10 tiles costs around £16 and can be cut to fit with basic tools. “These tiles are easy to apply and remove, making them ideal for renters,” Clemson says.

Amanda Foster, an interior designer, suggests adding colorful accessories such as towels, a new shower curtain, or a statement mirror. “Swapping out old hardware like taps and light fixtures can also make a noticeable difference,” she adds.

Living Room

To create a cozier atmosphere in your living room, Clemson recommends adding affordable cushions and throws. “Look for cushion covers from retailers like H&M Home or Dunelm, and pair them with feather-filled inserts for a luxurious look,” she says. H&M offers cushion covers starting at £2.99, and Dunelm has inserts priced between £5 and £16.

Adding plants can also enhance your space. “Choose plants that will thrive in your room’s natural light. Trailing succulents or a tall Areca palm can make a big impact,” Clemson suggests.

Poppy Ashworth from Graham & Brown encourages using paint creatively to define areas within a room. “Consider painting a section of the wall or using color to create zones. Painting a ceiling color to extend down the walls can add depth,” she says. Wallpaper can also be used creatively, such as lining the backs of shelves for added texture.

Furniture and Accessories

Georgia Metcalfe, founder of French Bedroom, suggests updating soft furnishings to refresh your room. “Changing bed linens and cushions can bring a new look without a complete overhaul,” she says. The Apricity Peach Fuzz Crinkle Bed Linen Set, priced at £60, offers a warm, summery feel.

Poppy Ashworth advises upcycling furniture with fresh paint or decorative hardware. “Transform old furniture with a new coat of paint or add brass or copper pulls for a custom look,” she suggests. Claire Garner recommends using affordable, off-the-shelf furniture like Ikea’s Pax range and hiring a carpenter to customize it. “This approach can create a high-quality finish at a lower cost,” she says.

Garner also suggests layering light sources to enhance the room’s atmosphere. “Add various light sources to create depth and interest. For example, a statement floor lamp can brighten a reading nook,” she says. Budget options are available, such as the Voyager wall light from Dunelm for £24 or a rattan table lamp from Sklum for £54.

Sometimes, simply rearranging furniture can revitalize a room at no cost. “Moving furniture or changing the layout can make a big difference,” Garner concludes.