7 Ways to Upgrade Any Room On A Budget

Our designer's tips

Bite-size decorating projects allow you to freshen up any space at home and are inexpensive at the same time!

We asked Milray Park Designers Laura Downie of Studio 1 Interiors and Kate Anderton of Style Culture to come up with the best tips and tricks to give any room at home a facelift.

Image: Emily Henderson

#1 Preparation is key

“The most important step in any room makeover. Even if your budget is small, do some research…how do you want it to look? How do you want it to feel? What is essential and what isn’t? What will give you the look you are aiming for, and what doesn’t? Getting a trained professional in in the early stages might help you pick up things you hadn’t even thought of or help you find quicker cheaper ways of doing things. Sometimes outlaying a small fee for a decorator or another professional to come in and bounce ideas around with will save you money in the long run because you have someone who can refine your final outcome, getting you the look you want the first time around and saving you money on costly mistakes.” Kate Anderton

#2 DeClutter- take away 5, leave 1!

“Often we collect, we collect something from here, something from there, Grandma gave us this and your friend from high school gave you that. But do they give you the look you want? Sometimes a room doesn’t need anything new to create a whole new look. Often taking out the extra chair, clearing the stack of photos on the mantle, throwing away most of the cushions off the couch. Take away the 5 vessels and leaving 1 from the shelf. Doing this can actually create a whole new look.” Kate Anderton

Image: Emily Henderson

Image: Feed Puzzle

#3 Accessories! Think bright cushion covers, throws and DIY styled shelves…

“It’s amazing how much of a difference a few new accessories here and there can make in a room. Take any items you’re no longer in love with (or never were!) to a Vinnie’s and treat yourself to some pieces you DO love. And, it doesn’t need to be expensive – I just completely transformed my Kallax IKEA storage unit at home with some of their awesome accessories range. Or try refreshing your cushion covers for a new look. High Street retailers like Zara and H&M are doing awesome cushion cover ranges at the moment, so check your current cushion insert sizes and armed with the dimensions, hit the shops and find some new patterns and textures & colour to liven up your space!” Laura Dwonie

Image: Home Stratosphere

Image: Red Fin

#4 Revamp a space with a lick of colour – not just on the walls…

“Paint is one of the most amazing resources for those who want a completely different look for their space. From updating the wall colour from the dreaded renters cream to something classic and pulled back, like a crisp white, or going bold with a dark charcoal or black wall to add drama. Paint can pack a punch. But remember the magic of paint doesn’t stop at your walls…. with the right technique you can sand and repaint furniture and give old pieces a whole new life. That old pine buffet that has been sitting forgotten in the corner of the dining room can be painted in a bold rich green for example and become the statement in the room. Even tired kitchen cabinets can be refreshed with a lick of paint. Pair with some different handles and suddenly you have turned your drab kitchen into a showpiece. Head to your local hardware store and ask what products will suit your surface and what materials you need so get you end up with a quality long lasting makeover.” Kate Anderton

#5 Don’t be afraid of colour when it comes to paint, let your creativity flow…

“Paint is an inexpensive way to very quickly transform your room, often quite dramatically. And, done right, it can be done in a day! Don’t be afraid of colour, let your creativity flow! But, if some advice from a pro would help, start with a colour consultation from someone in the know and take it from there.” Laura Downie

Image: Apartment Therapy

Image: Emily Henderson

#6 Think Green – it will make a space feel instantly fresher…

“Greenery – Pantone’s colour of the year! Adding some real, even faux plants to a space can change the feel, instantly making a space feel fresher, often adding that extra layer we are all looking for and can give some visual height to a wall. Try popping a Fiddle Leaf Fig in a rattan basket to add some fantastic texture, or a large Bird of Paradise to add drama to an otherwise empty corner. If you have natural light in a room there will be a plant to suit – indoor plants can also really change or cement an interior style you are looking to create in your space. A funky large cactus in a basket can create that cool boho look, a Palm can really make a space feel like a tropical oasis or a flowering orchid gives the space a more classic traditional look.” Kate Anderton

#7 Simply changing a light globe will change how a room feels…

“Sometimes we overlook lighting in our spaces, it is something that affects the functionality and the feel of a room. Often changing a pendant or globes can be costly, after purchasing the fitting there is then the added expense of paying an electrician to fit them but sometimes simply changing a light globe can be enough to really change how a room feels. With the new LED globes that are out in the market now there are two coloured white lights to choose from: warm white and cool white. Cool white is often used for retail spaces and offices, it can be quite harsh and leave a space feeling less homely and more like a doctor’s office. If you have put in a cool white globe, I would consider changing your globe to a warm white, it is the closest to natural light and gives spaces a warmth and feel good feeling. Have you still got a standard incandescent? These are common in older rental properties, along with cream walls. Changing to a warm white LED globe will be closer to natural light, and will soften the space if it is already overwhelmed with a warm colour on the wall. It will also save you some dollars when the electricity bill comes around.” Kate Anderton

Image: Emily Henderson

So we will leave you with the final bit of advice from Kate “Don’t be afraid and who cares if your budget is small! A space can quickly change dramatically with a few simple ideas and processes. What once may have felt like a drab out-dated space can cost effectively blossom into an updated space that you love and love being in.”

Milray Park gives all Australians access to affordable interior design online for one simple flat-fee $299 price. See how it works and get started on your design project!