A big part of decorating on a budget is to be resourceful and sustainable. You can do plenty of things without leaving home, so look around to see what you already have on hand.
Sample paints, leftover wallpaper, flooring and window blind samples and fabric off-cuts are all ideal foundations for creating the look you want.
Clothing and linen cupboards can also be great sources of inspiration. Items that have been sewn in the first place can be unsewn or resewn to make a new cushion or furniture covers, or quilts. If you're not a confident sewer, someone in your community can help you with alterations.
Paint it
A coat of good quality paint can spruce up everything from old furniture to built-in cupboards, kitchens and bathrooms.
The best paint products will cover all types of surfaces with minimum preparation and are well worth paying a little extra for. In addition to saving thousands of rands on the price of new furniture, you will have a unique piece that is found nowhere else.
Online
Various online marketplaces offer building and decor materials that are left over from bigger projects - at a fraction of the price of new materials.
You will pay far less for décor items such as tiles and wallpapers that could cover a small space, such as a guest cloakroom or kitchen and bathroom splashbacks.
Shelving is another item that is worth buying online. Amazon has a wide range of floating shelves and display ledges, which are ideal for holding small items like a plant, a vase or an ornament. Shelving can turn a blank wall into a creative space with minimal effort.
Cover up
Attractive throws, tablecloths and bedding can be used effectively to disguise furniture imperfections. Likewise, large pieces of artwork can hide unsightly wall cracks.
Fill in scratches on wooden floors and scuffmarks on furniture with a furniture crayon, available from Amazon. With the wide variety of colours available, you are sure to find ones that match your wood so that no one can tell the difference.
Worn melamine wardrobe shelves can be given a new lease on life with adhesive shelving paper - available in a variety of colours, textures and patterns from most hardware stores and hypermarkets.
Decorating on a budget can provide results that are just as good - if not better - than expensive designer efforts. You will be creating a unique home with your personal touch evident in every room.
Writer : Sarah-Jane Meyer
