10 Affordable ways to give your home that ‘WOW’ factor
by
Checkatrade

Is the paint on your walls beginning to look a little tired? Cracked and fading paint won’t do anybody any favours. Give every room a lick of new paint, and you’ll be surprised by the difference that even updating your existing colours can have on your home. Why not go through and gloss any skirting boards and freshen up your doors, as this will truly cover all bases and give every surface a new lease of life.

Have you a large empty wall which just looks a little bare and lonely? Why not invest in a large canvas print – these can be picked up affordably, and you could even get your own photographs printed onto them, to truly personalise your home. Hanging standard photo frames is also key to making your home your own. Invest in getting frames which match your theme and are each consistent – or mix things up and make a bold statement with alternative framing. Whatever you choose, the addition of photos and other art pieces will make all the difference.

Lighting is one of the most important elements when it comes to decorating your home. More often than not, rooms don’t allow in enough natural light and, particularly when the nights draw in, you need to have a suitable lighting system for every room to make it pop. There’s nothing worse than a yellow dark and dingy light in a bathroom, making your white appliances look dirty, and the room look smaller.

Whereas, bright white light as the only source in your living room might be great during the day; but a little too bright in the evenings. It’s important to consider your own preferences and the shapes, sizes and uses of each room when you’re planning to install new lighting.

It might be that a dimmer switch in the living room is the solution, or perhaps investing in some additional lamps and fairy lighting so that you can adjust the mood for those movie nights. Whatever you choose to do, using the right lighting can make all of the difference.

The bathroom is often an underestimated area within the home. There are several ways in which you can affordably upgrade your bathroom, to turn what could otherwise be a plain and lifeless space into something special.

Why not purchase some succulents from your local garden centre to keep on your window sill, adding a touch of greenery which will stand out alongside the traditional bathroom ‘whites’. You should also never underestimate the power of a mirror, as they can help to make spaces look much larger and brighter.

Clutter can quickly build up without us even noticing, stacking things up in corners and just simply getting used to them being there. Take some time to clear out the clutter. Do you really need to keep those old items you’ll never use again? Are you actually holding onto things which provide no purpose?

If you have a lot of unused belongings, why not consider taking them to a charity shop or disposing of any that might be considered junk? Invest in some storage boxes to keep those things you do need neatly, either tucked under the bed or stacked up into one neat corner as opposed to the array of possessions which was there before. You’ll be surprised by how quickly you’ll fall in love with a room again once the clutter has disappeared. Not only does it make for a cleaner, tidier space, but you’ll find that it makes the room look much bigger than ever before.

Adding plants to your home is one simple way of making any space feel bright and lively. With so many different varieties of houseplant available, there really is something for everyone; whether you’re green-fingered or not! For those who need something really hardy, succulents could be the answer as they require little light. Alternatively, look into investing in artificial plants, which will last a lifetime.

Have you got old furniture which is beginning to look a little sorry for itself? Often, it’s possible to repurpose furniture that you already own, rather than continue to keep investing in new products for your home. That tired wooden chest of drawers could get a neat sanding down and a lick of white paint to give it a brand new lease of life. Or, how about adding new cushions to your sunken old dining chairs? There are so many ways in which you can refurbish older furniture on a budget, to bring them back to life.

There are so many accessories available to purchase, from ornaments to cushions, throws and much more. Choose a colour scheme or theme you prefer from room to room and purchase these affordable additions which can make a huge impact on the appearance of your property.

Curtains can often make or break a room, particularly when they’re a larger set which is an obvious focal point. Choosing curtains which complement the existing colour scheme of the room, with a design which is eye-catching yet pleasing, can help to complete the overall appearance of a room. Simply changing to a new set of curtains in a different colour or pattern can make the entire room feel new again.