How to transform your home on the budget in 4 easy steps

It’s the end of August already and you might be thinking about back to school already. There are only a few days left of this glorious summer; make them count.

If you have been thinking of doing a bit of DIY to transform your home, just in time for back to school, this would be the perfect time to do it.

1. Decluttering

We all have far too many books/toys/clothes and even accessories.

Marie Kondo’s book ‘The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing’ introduces us to a revolutionary way to declutter and takes tidying to a whole new level, promising that if you properly simplify and organize your home once, you’ll never have to do it again.

Most methods advocate a room-by-room or little-by-little approach but the KonMari Method has a revolutionary category-by-category system which leads to lasting results. So, where can you start? Piles of papers? Children’s toys? Clothes? Make sure when you look at clothes ask for your family’s members approval to go through them or set a task for them to do it. Just pick up a category and start now.

2. Remove any outdated or damaged fitted furniture.

Let’s be honest, any damaged furniture will make you hate your place, even if you don’t realise it. So, our tip is to either repair it and repaint it; in other words, upcycle it and you will see the change in the room instantly. You could sell it on eBay it if it is worth it, or simply recycle it. Here are a few tips from Homebase on how to upcycle your furniture with a fresh coat of paint.

3. Repair the walls

Repair the walls so they are ready for painting, stripping old wallpaper and sanding and filling to get a smooth finish. If the walls are in very poor condition, they can be reskimmed with a finishing coat of plaster for around £2,000 for a typical three bedroom house, creating walls that are as a good as new. If there are any signs of dump in your home, prioritise this over basic repairs, or undertake structural repairs first if you need to. Here are few tips from House Beautiful how to remove damp walls.  Once you have done this, your walls will be ready for a fresh coat of paint.

4. Update the kitchen

Giving your kitchen a new look is pretty easy with just replacing the doors, handles and worktop if necessary. If you like the layout and storage space you have you can just replace the items mentioned above, adding a splashback for a fresh look.

Stylish new lights can easily become the new focal point of the room. Here are some ideas for you. This pendant lighting from Dunelm looks stylish and modern in any kitchen diner, and if it can be assorted with a range of materials and finishes such as copper and brass you will have a new vibe in your kitchen instantly.

For a minimalist effortless look this industrial, we love this clean and modern pendant light from Made.com, which really grabs your attention.

If you think your decoration opportunities are limited you can really make your kitchen super stylish with everything from clever kitchen storage solutions to tableware, cookware and utensils. Shops like Habitat, Next Homeware, Procook all have a wide range of accessories for every taste. Every little change will make a huge difference

Additionally, you can do some extra jobs like tidying up the garden, giving a fresh coat of paint to your home exterior and add value in the process as well.

If you are planning a bigger job, like a loft conversion or a home extension, check out our latest projects here and don’t hesitate to give us a call on 020 8537 0361 to learn more about how we can help you and book a FREE consultation with one of our experts.