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How to redecorate on a budget

22 May 2019 | 3 min read

You never know when the re-decorating bug will bite. With a few parameters and just a little bit of faith, you can have the room of your dreams – for next to no money.

There’s never a bad time to freshen up your home. Re-decorating is a flexible, scalable project that allows you to inject some personality into your space. You can focus on a single room or an entire home and - unlike renovating - it doesn’t have to cost you the earth.

Our tastes change over time and if you’ve been living in the same place for a while it’s easy for it to become tired and weighed down by clutter and once-loved furniture.

If you’ve been fantasising about a change, re-decorating should be at the top of your DIY to-do list.


Here are some fail-safe steps to get you along the way.

Build your mood boards

There are many ways you can collect inspiration: Pinterest boards, saved photos on Instagram, camera screenshots , magazine cut-outs in a scrap book – the list goes on.

Having a clear image or an idea of what you want your finished room to look like helps on a couple of fronts. It’s really fun to search for inspiration and it’s an opportunity to be clear with yourself with want you want. Working out what you’re aiming for is crucial to avoiding impulse purchases.

Set your budget

Is this something you want to complete on a shoestring or a splurge? No matter where you sit on that scale, set yourself a hard budget that you can stick to.

Don’t be afraid to go a bit lower than you first thought, it can be fun to make it a challenge.

Sell what you no longer need

This is the re-decorators hack that makes a huge difference to your budget especially those on a shoestring!

Start selling the items you’re looking to replace and put that money straight back into the re-decorating kitty. By using money generated from selling items you no longer need, it can (dramatically) reduce the money you put into it from your own pocket. That’s a huge bonus in anyone’s books.

Start looking online

If you’re not already acquainted with the online second-hand marketplace, now is a good time to start. For one very good reason: You can find almost new and brand-new items for a fraction of the price.

If you have your eye on something specific that’s available in store, start your search on Gumtree, Facebook Marketplace or eBay. There are also usually local Facebook groups that you can request to join specifically for buying and selling items like furniture, homewares or clothing. Have a search on your Facebook or ask around your neighbourhood for groups to join. You’d be surprised how much people hold on to.


Visit second hand stores

The benefit of most people turning their searches online is that second hand stores have become an untapped resource for day to day furniture.

Do a round of your local stores, talk to the shop owners and let them know what you’re looking out for, and see if they can call you when something similar comes in.

Don’t rush and don’t settle

The fun of shopping second hand is in the hunt.

Go back to your mood boards and reacquaint yourself with the pieces you are looking for. Ask yourself what you’re willing to settle on and what you’re not.

As any seasoned hunter will know, patience is key. Sure, you might not find every piece you’re looking for in your area on the very first day but you will find it.

Started decorating?

Upload your pictures to Instagram and tag us. We would love to see what you’re getting up to!

Note: This article contains general advice only. Readers should seek a trusted professional’s advice on financial matters.

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