5 Ways To Decorate without breaking the bank
/I'm a big believer that you don't need to spend a fortune to achieve a lovely home. Whether you want to update a room or put finishing touches to a project, here are 5 ways to add beautiful details.
Twinkling Lighting
I love fairy lights. They add a gorgeous glow to a room any time of year and give a laid back scheme some extra depth. Whether festoon lights, paper lanterns or tiny bulbs, I definitely love to see them in a decorative scheme. Best of all they don’t cost much, especially if you get some good quality sets after Christmas is over. Battery ones don't last too well, but sets like the ones from Cable & Cotton come with a USB so you can plug them in or use them with a power pack.
Textiles
Textiles are tactile, comforting and practical. Rugs, blankets, curtains and cushions all work to give your home welcoming layers. Have a look around for what you have already, maybe you can repurpose something from one room to another. Nothing has to match, just try putting a few things together and see if you like it.
If you can already crochet, sew or knit you’re onto a winner. There are loads of free patterns available so make yourself a sofa blanket or a bed spread.
Charity shops are great for fabric - curtains can be remade into cushion covers or quilted. Wall hangings can be used as rugs, I have a lovely and unusual Dutch tapestry found in a charity shop.
Bright fabrics can be bought cheaply from markets, I picked up some Peruvian fabric at Camden Market and they give a great pop of colour to a room.
For Vintage finds try The Vintage Home Show, held a couple of times a year in Manchester and Sheffield. There are loads of Vintage and Antique events held all over the country where you can pick up unusual pieces made the good old fashioned way.
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19 Likes, 1 Comments - @ellamooreinteriors on Instagram: "Thanks for my crochet blanket @emmacord123 😍😍 #handmade"
Ebay
If you do need to buy something but don’t have the cash or want to spend it, try Ebay. Search in the Folk Art section for cheap original paintings or unusual wall hangings, filter to items that are ending soon, collection only or within a certain price bracket.
In furniture the best bargains are to be had in your local area as many sellers don’t want the hassle of arranging a courier for chairs or similar. In the past I have had two lovely wicker chairs for £8 from a local second hand furniture shop having a clear out, a leather armchair for £40, a beautiful bed frame for £20, a sofa for £30….the list goes on. Be selective but open minded!
An Ebay buy - Two of these cool wicker chairs for just £8. Below a selections of decor from Ebay.
Use Plants!
The ultimate way to accessorise! Plants are beautiful and they freshen the air you breathe. When looking at a successful room scheme it's sometimes hard to mentally break it down into the elements that make it work. Check out all the gorgeous rooms you see on Pinterest or in Living Etc and it’s almost guaranteed that there will be plants in there.
Adding a host of plants in varying sizes will give your room a finished look, I like to use Mid Century pot holders and any quirky pots found in charity shops.
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Handed Down Gems
This is a situation where you should be open to say yes, but learn when to say no!
Inheriting a piece of furniture and finding a place for it in your home can add character that you just can't buy. Accepting older or unneeded furniture from a friend or relative is such a great way to add something unique to your room. It gives you the opportunity to own something with age and quality and can ground more contemporary schemes.
When to say no…when the drawers smell funny or don’t run properly and if it needs more work to repair than you have time for.
If it's a piece you've grown up with it can also carry with it memories of childhood and family and will become a much loved addition. Some of you may be lucky enough to inherit valuable antiques, for others it's the little things like a bowl, a wooden box or a beautiful quilt.
