Modernising your home on a budget can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. With some careful planning and clever decorating, you’ll find that it’s possible to update your house with all of today’s modern amenities without breaking the bank. In many cases, you might even add value to your property in the process. With that in mind and without further ado, here’s how to modernise your home on a budget.
DEPLOY FURNISHINGS IN NEUTRAL COLOURS
The first step to modernising your home on a budget is considering a potential update of your interior’s colour palette. Using neutral colours, such as whites and greys for walls, floors and furniture, makes redecorating and refurbishing much easier, creating a blank canvas of sorts, ideal for further flashes of inspiration, but without introducing a colour scheme which could quickly become dated.
Using more than three different tones in one room can be overwhelming (and look old fashioned) so try to stick to just two shades at most. A formula of sorts, for the mathematically inclined, could read: cream sofa + white chair = one tone.
You don’t even need to invest in new furniture to change the palette; simply add throws, cushions and rugs to update the whole visual dynamic of the living space.
The classic black-and-white living space remains popular for good reason; these two simple monochrome hues are timelessly stylish without being too much. Nope, we’re not thinking chessboard tiling here, but rather, a suave and refined backdrop of colour that leaves room for further self expression in the finer details. If possible, choose matte finishes over glossier textures – they’re much easier to keep clean and don’t cause a glare.
Remember that if you’re struggling with your colour palette ideas, purchase paint samples and place them on the wall before making any more finite decisions; it’s much cheaper than an entire tin of paint but gives a good representation (and saves time!)
PLACE MIRRORS AROUND THE HOUSE
Natural light, whether free flowing or reflected, is one of modern interior design’s biggest obsessions. In fact, a recent survey revealed that homeowners would pay upwards of £20’000 more than the asking price for a property flooded with plenty of the good stuff.
The problem is that in older builds, it can be hard to maximise that much sought after natural light. In such cases, you have to be pragmatic; placing mirrors around the house is a great way to open up small rooms and create the illusion of more space. You can even go one step further and replace some standard light fittings with mirrored versions; it’s an affordable alternative that also creates an interesting visual effect.
Mirrors come in all shapes, sizes and colours, so you’ll be spoilt for choice when shopping – especially if your budget is tight! It helps to place them strategically throughout the room (top/sides) rather than only on walls adjacent to windows or doors. This will give off a greater impression of depth while reflecting natural sunlight into dark corners, too.
Read: The best ways to allow more natural light into your home
REPAINT SOME ROOMS
One way to quickly and easily update the look of your home on a budget is by painting the walls. Doing so instantly eliminates that tired look that many older properties can suffer from, and if you’re feeling brave, go for a bold or bright colour. If not, stick to neutrals like whites, greys or light blues, which will give a more modern feel.
Of course, if you’re looking to save money, this is a job that can be done DIY, should the mood and motivation take you. Remember, it’s always best to start with one room at a time and work your way around the house so that you don’t become overwhelmed. You’ll find some great tips here on the best colours to paint your home to inspire wellness, which is something we all need more of right now, don’t you think?
REPLACE THE FRONT DOOR
A great way to modernise your home on a budget is by updating the front door. Yes, you heard us right; because first impressions count, and your front door is one of the first elements of your property that’s getting a full appraisal. Take too long to answer the door, and it’s getting properly scrutinised, so it’s wise to ensure yours is looking fresh, clean and modern.
There are many different designs and finishes available for doors, but choosing one that suits you (and the overall aesthetic of your property, inside and out) is all about personal preference. Whilst wood features heavily in traditional styles, metal or glass can be more contemporary – so do consider the overall effect carefully.
If you’d like to take it one step further, you could even replace your garage doors with garador roller doors for a more industrial look…how modern would that look? While most homes have standard sized entrances, it’s becoming more and more popular to have bespoke doors made to order. This will be the ideal option if your budget allows, as it will be entirely unique for you and your property.
UPDATE THE LIGHTING FIXTURES
Changing the lighting fixtures in your home is one of the quickest and easiest ways to give your property a modern update on a budget.
Just like with furniture, it’s important to choose light fittings that complement the existing décor of your house rather than clashing with it. For example, if you have lots of wooden furniture, then go for a fitting with a similar finish or vice versa. This will create cohesion throughout the space and make it look more polished overall.
THE BOTTOM LINE
From introducing new lighting fixtures to bringing your front door into the 21st century, there are many simple and affordable ways to modernise your home on a budget. Now, when can we expect our invite in the post to come see the modern updates you’ve made to your property?