Ten easy ways to refresh your home’s look on a tight budget

Whether you are thinking about selling your family home and downsizing to somewhere smaller and more manageable, or simply looking to give your house a new lease of life, redecorating can be a daunting task – not to mention costly.

From stocking up on paint to choosing new furniture, or finally landscaping your backyard, there are no shortage of ways to overhaul the look of your property, and with recent research revealing that styling your rooms well can increase your home’s value by as much as 2 per cent, it can really pay off to update the look of your house.

Redecorating doesn’t have to break the bank though and there are a whole host of ways to make your home desirable to potential buyers or even just more liveable, according to Houzz Australia and New Zealand editor Vanessa Walker who has shared her top 10 tips for sprucing up your house exclusively with Starts at 60. So, if you’re struggling for ideas on how to tackle your home reno and don’t know where to start, hopefully you will find some inspiration here.

Create a new colour scheme

Vanessa says that one of the easiest ways to brighten up or change the feel of your home is to update the colour scheme. Something as simple as adding cushions, blankets and artwork can give your room a whole new feel. Wellness has become a big trend in interiors in 2019, so she suggests looking at colour schemes in sage green, terracotta and variations of pink, to create a calm home.

Declutter your home

A spring clean in the home can also declutter your mind, which can be good for those about to start a new phase of their life such as retirement or making the move into a retirement village or lifestyle community. Vanessa advises turning your home into a sanctuary to calm your frazzled mind from the fast-paced world outdoors. She also suggests hiring a professional organiser on Houzz if you aren’t sure where to start.

A new paint job

According to Vanessa, sometimes all that’s needed to brighten up your home is a new paint job and last year alone, more than one quarter of renovating homeowners hired a professional painter.

She says: “Typically the darker the colour is, the more likely it is it will make the room feel smaller, which is great if you are looking for more warmth and calm in your home. However, if you are looking to open the space up, go for whites, neutrals and bright tones.”

Wall art

“Whether you choose digital prints, or paintings, art can make a world of difference to a lifeless wall, and can give subtle clues into the type of person you are,” Vanessa says.

Repurpose old items

One person’s trash is another’s treasure, or in this case, old items you were about to throw out, can actually be reused to create something new and wonderful. Vanessa says: “On Houzz we’ve seen empty jars used as vases, old ladders used for hanging plants, cans for planters and aged crates used for storage such as a bookshelf.”

Maximise height

“One decorating rule interior designers on Houzz swear by is creating height with low-profile furniture such as couches and coffee tables, and pairing them in the room with slim, tall bookshelves and artworks,” says Vanessa.

While Houzz contributor and interior designer Laura Downie says “mixing different heights in this way also help create a relaxed vibe in your home.” So, if your budget allows, you could consider getting an interior designer to help you achieve this look.

Update your bedding

“As we’ve seen on Houzz, throws, pillows, cushions and bed sheets are all small details that when used together, can breathe new life into your bedroom,” Vanessa says. “The added benefit is that when you feel more comfortable in your bed, you may even be able to sleep better.”

Purchase indoor plants

Indoor plants are a simple way to make your home look and feel more fresh, Vanessa says, as well as improving air quality. Houzz landscape designer Lauren Dunec Hoang, says, “how you display indoor plants – particularly if you’ve accumulated a lot of them – on whether your house plant collection looks like an intentional part of your interior design or a haphazard jungle – which has a charm all of its own.”

Decorate your floors

While painting the walls might seem like an obvious solution, Vanessa suggests decorating your floors too, saying: “If your floorboards are beginning to look a little stiff, consider getting a new rug. Rugs can add colour and texture to a room, creating a more inviting space. You can use them to compliment an existing colour scheme, or make a vibrant-coloured couch sing.”

Add a mirror

“Mirrors are a simple solution to making a small room appear bigger as they reflect light and add depth,” Vanessa advises. “Don’t be afraid to use a bigger mirror, as many homeowners on Houzz do, as they can be the hero of the room. You can also choose to use a selection of smaller mirrors so that each catches a different part of the room.”