We all try to avoid decorating or doing anything to the home for as long as we can. Your home is going to be your pride and joy, especially if you’ve managed to put in a lot of work to it. But the fact that you’ve had to put a lot of work into it will be one of the reasons why you’re not so keen on making any changes to it, especially any time soon.

It’s coming up to Christmas day, and then the new year celebrations. What that means is money will be flying out of your account quicker than it’s going in, and you’ll no doubt feel like you can’t spend on anything that isn’t festive. But that’s OK, there’s plenty of time in the new year to get started on the changes that you want to make. For now, you can just think about what those future changes might be.

From the smallest of adjustments to the biggest, there are tons of ways that you can do it so much cheaper than you’ve most likely been used to doing. So, if you carry on reading, we’ll be able to show you some of the transformations we think you should be making, and how they can freshen your home up for less.

Go to charity shops

Charity shops are seriously underestimated, and for those of you who already love them, you’ll know how much they have to offer. When you think of charity shops, you most likely think of really old second-hand items that aren’t going to enhance your home. But it’s quite the opposite. People donate anything and everything to the shops. Items can come from people who are moving country or down-sizing or folks who simply want to declutter and clear out some items in their home.

Either way, charity shops are places where you can get some serious bargains, and the more you look, the more you’ll discover that there can be quality products being sold for a reasonable price. You could bag yourself some new artwork for your walls or you could find some new kitchen furniture that would allow you to get rid of the table that you hate so much. Whatever your needs, they’ll probably be met in an outing to the high street charity shops!

A simple deep clean

Sometimes a simple deep clean is all that’s needed to make your home feel fresh again. A deep clean is not something that we do often, simply because a normal clean is hard enough. When you’re trying to run a household, go to work and make a living, and have a decent social life, there’s hardly any time for a deep clean. But beneath all of the surfaces that you like to avoid, will be nooks and crannies that are dying out for a deep clean.

All you need to be able to do is dedicate a weekend to this, doing a couple of hours each day, and you’ll have your home spick & span in no time. A good tip for cleaning those grimy windows, mirrors and glass doors  is to use vinegar water. It’s a simple solution made up of exactly what it says – vinegar and water. It’ll save you a pretty penny not having to buy fancy cleaning products, when all you need is some home-made potions.

A switch up of bedrooms

The bedroom is one of two rooms where you no doubt spend most of your time. It’s the room you crave the most when you’re sitting at work looking out at the miserable weather, remembering how hard it was to leave your bed that the morning. However, sometimes our bedrooms are not as comfy an inviting as they could be, and an outdated bedroom can really make it feel that way. Simple décor changes can make all the difference.

Our first tip is to look at colour trends and see which one you’d most like to pursue. It goes without saying that at the moment, grey colour schemes are ones for which everyone’s going crazy. With grey, you can really mix a range of contemporary colours in to give contrast. You could go for duck egg blue or blush pink is a really nice match if you’re updating a feminine room.

Again, there are ways of making this little switch up to your bedrooms cheaper, such as by finding Contract Bedroom Furniture. Searching for a bargain for the bedroom at this time of year is far easier than you might think. If you wait until Boxing Day, you may be able to save yourself a fortune.

Give upcycling a go

Upcycling is not something that everyone gives a go. It can be intimidating, but it should be seen as a bit of fun, rather than some big project that has to go right. Upcycling can be done on practically any piece of furniture, and there are plenty of helpful videos online that can talk you through it. All you need is a few tools, sandpaper, paint and whatever else you think you’ll need to get creative.

[disclosure*]