Cheaper ways to freshen up your home

Cheaper ways to freshen up your home | H is for Home

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.

Charity shop interior

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!

Cleaning a worktop

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.

Bright bedroom

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.

Carpentry tools

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.

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Get their look: velvet furnished lounge

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by jo Marston (@jo.jomarston)

This velvet rich lounge has a private member’s club feel. All dark painted panelled walls, deep winged armchairs and low coffee tables.

It looks like a lovely place to relax. Books, art and views from the huge window. There are comfortable, luxurious furnishings to enjoy it all from… and a well-stocked drinks trolley too!

It’s on the books of UK Locations, an agency that represents properties in the north of England that available for photo & film shoots.

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

Button stool, large
Button stool, large
Theo armchair
Theo armchair
Theo sofa
Theo sofa
Buxar serving cart
Buxar serving cart
The Art of the LP: Classic Album Covers 1955-1995
The Art of the LP: Classic Album Covers 1955-1995
Pendant 2-light adjustable body without shade E27 black polished chrome
Pendant 2-light adjustable body without shade E27 black polished chrome
Black metal circles coffee table with glass top
Black metal circles coffee table with glass top
Button stool, large
Button stool, large
Theo armchair
Theo armchair
Theo sofa
Theo sofa
Buxar serving cart
Buxar serving cart
The Art of the LP: Classic Album Covers 1955-1995
The Art of the LP: Classic Album Covers 1955-1995
Pendant 2-light adjustable body without shade E27 black polished chrome
Pendant 2-light adjustable body without shade E27 black polished chrome
Black metal circles coffee table with glass top
Black metal circles coffee table with glass top

Getting more for less – space-saving in your home

Getting more for less - space-saving in your home | H is for Home

While we all may dream of living in a mansion with a sprawling mass of space to play around with and make our own, the reality is that you may be stuck with a much smaller home. If you live in a big city, space is often at a premium, and there’s a trade-off between the convenience of being close to the action and the room to spread out in your pad fully.

Getting the most out of your smaller space is something that may take ingenuity and creativity. There are ways of living in more confined homes without allowing your possessions to overwhelm you or to make you feel claustrophobic. Here are a few space-saving ways that you can change your tiny piece of the world into a seemingly more substantial offering.

Wall to wall fitted storage cupboards

Space saving storage solutions

One of the major problems that you’ll face when it comes to living in a smaller property is the amount of space that you’ll have to house your possessions. We amass quite a lot of items in our lifetimes, and over time we barely stop and acknowledge just how much we’ve accumulated. You may not realise this until the time comes to moving into a smaller property. Parting with some items that you may not need will obviously be an option, but finding a longer-term solution to deal with space is more ideal.

Often, floor space is at a premium in a smaller home. By the time your larger items such as beds, sofas and tables are in place, you may not have the space for lots of cupboards and shelves. Think about getting wall units fitted where possible. Bathroom mirror cabinets are great because they serve multiple purposes; storing items and providing a mirror to help you get ready. Mirrors are also great at giving the illusion of more space, which can help a compact space feel bigger.

Look out for beds, sofas and tables that offer storage solutions under them. A well-designed piece of furniture such as this will be able to store a large amount.

Built-in wall units in living rooms and bedrooms can offer floor to ceiling storage for a multitude of different things. With sliding doors that don’t need a lot of space to open, these items won’t be on display either so your home will appear less cluttered and as such less claustrophobic.

Small bedroom with full-length mirror and clothes hanging rail

Light walls create space

Darker rooms will make the walls feel as if they’re closing in on you. Choosing a lighter shade to paint your room will help to create much more of a feeling of space. If possible, go for as much white as possible and try and allow as much natural light into any space as you can.

Find as many sources of light for your home as possible will help to create the impression of there being more space in the house. Avoid using up-lighting as this will create shade underneath, which isn’t ideal. Hanging mirrors on your walls will also help, and if they can reflect some light too, this will make for a brighter home.

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Get their look: Shoe display dressing room

 

 
 
 
 
 
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A post shared by Squid and Goose (@squid_and_goose)

What person wouldn’t love a room in their home dedicated to housing their footwear? This shoe display is something to behold! If you dream of owning a collection of Manolos or rare sneakers, this dressing room would appeal.

The owner of this space lives such a glamorous life; she lives in London and is a TV wildlife film-maker who frequently travels the world. She regularly features her cute ‘fluffbags’ Squid and Goose on her squares – hence the Instagram moniker.

What I love about this space is the level of organisation and neatness – a lady after my own heart! Check out the rest of her Insta-stream; all her clothes are arranged on wall-to-wall open racks, but they’re so orderly… fashion goals!

Get their look

Some of the links on our blog are affiliate links. We may receive a small commission - at no cost to you - if you click through and make a purchase.
Prices & links correct at time of publication.

BRANÄS storage basket, white
BRANÄS storage basket, white
Vintage Singer sewing machine treadle base
Vintage Singer sewing machine treadle base
Gold wire baskets
Gold wire baskets
Acrylic storage box with 5 drawers
Acrylic storage box with 5 drawers
Nicole Hollywood mirror, wall-mounted XL 60x100cm
Nicole Hollywood mirror, wall-mounted XL 60x100cm
White floating shelf kit 1500x250x50mm
White floating shelf kit 1500x250x50mm
BRANÄS storage basket, white
BRANÄS storage basket, white
Vintage Singer sewing machine treadle base
Vintage Singer sewing machine treadle base
Gold wire baskets
Gold wire baskets
Acrylic storage box with 5 drawers
Acrylic storage box with 5 drawers
Nicole Hollywood mirror, wall-mounted XL 60x100cm
Nicole Hollywood mirror, wall-mounted XL 60x100cm
White floating shelf kit 1500x250x50mm
White floating shelf kit 1500x250x50mm
BRANÄS storage basket, white
BRANÄS storage basket, white
Vintage Singer sewing machine treadle base
Vintage Singer sewing machine treadle base
Gold wire baskets
Gold wire baskets
Acrylic storage box with 5 drawers
Acrylic storage box with 5 drawers
Nicole Hollywood mirror, wall-mounted XL 60x100cm
Nicole Hollywood mirror, wall-mounted XL 60x100cm
White floating shelf kit 1500x250x50mm
White floating shelf kit 1500x250x50mm