Big Changes On A Tiny Budget

“Okay, Justine, my house needs a major facelift, but my budget is practically zero. Is there anything I can do?”

Heck yeah!

There are plenty of low to no-cost options you can implement in your home to give it a refresh. Here are a few ideas with a variety of price points and skill levels required, so you’re sure to find some inspiration to get you started!

♦ - ♦♦♦ = skill level

$-$$$ = price level

New Paint - $-$$$ ♦

The most obvious and impactful change you can make to your space is a fresh coat of paint. If you need inspiration, head to the internet to find color palettes that speak to you (Pinterest has some great ones). If the idea of selecting new colors on your own gives you hives Elbi Interiors offers a color consultation service. I come to your space and help you select colors for any and all rooms you plan to update and leave the swatches with you to order through your local hardware store whenever you’re ready. Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore both also offer large swatches that you can order and stick to your wall so you can see the colors on a larger scale in your space. I would also recommend leaving your samples up for a few days, so you can see the color in different light throughout the day.

Accessories - $-$$ ♦

New accessories like pillows, vases, candles, etc. can make an old space feel new very quickly. Don’t have somewhere to store the old décor? Not quite ready to part with it? Order some pillow covers online and simply cover your existing pillows! This solution works great for seasonal décor, too. Thirty-dollar accessories out of the budget? You can find some fantastic pieces at thrift stores with a keen eye and some determination. To really make it yours, repaint what you find to match your space, or to introduce some new color! If your budget allows, reach out to your designer to help you with some accessory shopping, to give your selections that extra touch!

Move Your Furniture - ♦♦

While moving your existing furniture requires a bit more physical labor, finding a new layout can transform a space from closed and confined to open and inviting. If you’re willing and able, actually moving the pieces around as you come up with ideas will be the best way to see what works and what doesn’t. The best part? This option costs you absolutely nothing! Need help coming up with ideas? Reach out to yours truly for a consultation, or (if trying to keep that total at $0.00) head to the internet for some basic plans to get you started.

Feature Wall - $$-$$$ ♦♦♦

Creating a feature wall requires a bit more skill, but don’t let that deter you! A feature wall could be anything that strikes your fancy, but here are a few ideas:

· Wallpaper – These days, wallpaper is a far cry from the hard-to-remove paper we remember from our grandparents’ house. There are some beautiful choices out there for every taste and style. Check out Spoonflower for a wide variety of budget-friendly designs! They also offer most of their papers in a pre-pasted format, simplifying installation and making it that much easier for the beginner.

· Board and Batten – Using trim boards or molding from your local hardware store create a design on the wall for some texture and dimension. A simple design would only require some 1x2’s, a level, and a hammer & nails (or a nail gun). More intricate designs may take more skill, and definitely more planning.

· Plant Wall – There are probably a million and one ways to create a stunning plant wall. The easiest solutions just require some floating shelves and your plants! Mix up different plants to create more texture and depth and play around with different heights and spacing to give it some visual interest.

You can also mix-and-match any of these ideas to fit your own style! Create a trimmed panel with wallpaper inside or combine board and batten with your plant wall to create something unique!

No need to take out a loan to make your home feel new again. Simply find your inspiration, roll up those sleeves, and get to work! And, when in doubt, check out our design in a day and color consultation services for more information on how a designer can help with any and all projects.