When we think of décor and interiors, we think of plush couches, fancy cabinets, wine racks, and gorgeous textiles. While having all those can be nice and convenient, you don’t necessarily have to spend a lot or give your space a complete overhaul to make it look nice or change things up a bit. A little creativity and elbow grease can go a long way in giving your home a stylish personal touch. Here are some ways you can personalize your space without having to dip into your savings.
Look for hand-me-downs
Your grandparent’s or parent’s store room can be a great place to get some items that you can repurpose to use around the house. Old pieces of furniture usually just need a fresh coat of paint to look brand new. Ask your friends if they have anything they are willing to part with—not only is this a great idea to save some money, but you will also have a piece of them with you at home. This way, many of the things you own will have a story to it and your home will feel all the more charming because of it.
Learn some DIY skills
Knowing how to build things is not only a handy skill to have but you can take pride in the things you end up making for your home. Learn some basics of pottery, woodwork, and some other creative tidbits to craft your own masterpieces. There are many things that you can do around the house that don’t require fancy skills and equipment. You can make bookshelves out of fruit crates by stacking and hot-gluing them together. You can paint glass bottles and make nifty flower vases and pots. There’s just a lot you can do with some simple supplies and skills.
Sell what you don’t want
Our homes accumulate things, and we don’t use most of them. They find themselves tossed in some storage unit or unused corner of the house. Why not sell items that you don’t need to buy something that you have been eyeing for a while? These days, with Facebook Marketplace and Instagram, you can sell things without any hassle. Simply upload a picture of it on social media, name your price, and wait for someone to contact you to get it off your hands. You will clear clutter as well as be able to use the proceeds from it to buy something you actually like.
Shop secondhand
We’d like to share a little secret: One of our colleagues got a 10-feet long metal plant stand for just Rs 4000. She was planning to commission someone to make it and he had quoted Rs 17,000 for the same thing. She got it secondhand from Facebook Marketplace. A coat of paint and the stand was as good as new, she said. All in all, she spent a maximum of Rs 5500 on it, including paint and transport charges. You can find almost everything at cheaper rates with a little hunting and internet research. Don’t dismiss thrift stores and secondhand items. Most of the items on sale are in good condition. Someone just doesn’t want them anymore.
Buy some spray paint
It’s human nature to get bored of what you have and want new things. The same goes for home décor items. The novelty runs out and the things you once loved start looking drab. Don’t toss away décor knickknacks when you’ve had them for a while. Instead, give them a new lease of life with some spray paint. There isn’t anything else that will give you as much of a bang for your money as spray paint. Buy some gold, silver, and black spray paint at any hardware store in town and give your dated accessories a facelift to change the look and feel of your home.
