7 low cost, high-impact ways to update your home right now
If you're looking for budget-friendly (and time-efficient) ways to overhaul your interior, you'll be pleased to know that there's plenty to be done that doesn't involve building an extension or painting any walls (thank goodness). Accent chairs, wall art and greenery are just a few home decor items that pack a punch when it comes to transforming your interior.
Take inspiration from some of the biggest interior trends for 2023 and keep reading to discover our favourite budget-friendly, high-impact home decor pieces that will transform your living space in an instant.
(House Beautiful Marketplace / Wayfair)
'The sensory aspect of a home is vital, and with trends in wellness and mindful spaces becoming increasingly important, utilising textured fabric offers up the chance to create a room that feels good, both mentally and physically,' says Vicki Foster, interiors stylist at ScS.
Upgrading your soft furnishings is an easy way to do this – swap tired cushion covers for ones with woven, embroidered or tassel details.
Pictured: Jesse Tassel Cushion Cover in Natural (£14), House Beautiful Marketplace
(Hearst Owned)
Greenery is an easy way to breathe life and tranquillity into your home, with plants being both naturally colourful and instantly soothing. With plenty of houseplants being easily accessible and budget-friendly, it's a home update that won't break the bank, either. For a great range of indoor plants try Bloombox Club or Crocus.
'Try using plants of various sizes and including the colour green across your decor, walls, furniture or accessories,' Vicki suggests. 'Additionally, embrace biophilic patterns; leaf and floral prints will elevate the look and keep the theme throughout the seasons.'
Pictured: Fibre Clay Rust Planter (£25), Dunelm
(Dunelm)
A well-chosen lampshade can make all the difference when it comes to giving your home a fresh new feel. A bold style immediately draws the eye upwards and serves as a statement focal point.
Better still, lampshades are easy enough to fit, so this is one update that guarantees maximum impact with minimal fuss.
Pictured: Espiral Rattan Pendant Lampshade (£45), Oliver Bonas
(Oliver Bonas)
Forget sharp lines and stark silhouettes – from armchairs to side tables, softly shaped curves add instant visual appeal, no matter the room of the house.
'Curves, waves and arches will be making a comeback for spring, making rooms flow with ease whilst also being a statement pattern to embrace,' says Vicki.
You're not limited to furniture and decor, either, she adds: 'Creating curved patterns using paint on walls and furniture can completely transform a room whilst giving it a unique touch that will make the space memorable.'
Pictured: Llewellyn Tub Chair (£189.99), Wayfair
(Wayfair)
Making a space feel lighter and brighter also makes your home feel larger and more open – a cost-efficient way to transform the feel of any given room.
'Mirrors are the master of giving the illusion of space. They immediately bounce light around rooms, making everything feel more open and spacious,' says Vicki. 'Placing mirrors opposite corners that need brightening up is a fantastic solution to expanding the light of a room in a natural, non-intrusive way.'
Pictured: Nova Round Mirror in Black (£67), House Beautiful Marketplace
(House Beautiful Marketplace)
'Spring is the perfect time to introduce bold and bright colours into the home, with yellows, pinks and oranges being fantastic options for the time of year,' says Vicki.
'Looking to accessories is also a great way to inject new colour: cushions, curtains and rugs can easily be switched out, keeping your room in line with the seasons without taking up too much of your time or money.'
Pictured: Aldo Graphic Cushion Cover (£24), La Redoute
(La Redoute)
Colour, pattern, interest – wall art adds it all. If your walls are bare or looking tired, refreshing your collection of artwork and prints can give your space a new lease of life. Remember, to save some money and be a little more planet-friendly, reuse old frames.
Pictured: Gin & Tonic Framed Art (£45), John Lewis.
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Overhauling your interior doesn't need to involve building an extension or painting any walls. Here are some quick and easy ways to update your home.