Decorating on a shoestring budget

SO you’ve just bought property and you’re beginning to dream up lavish interiors for your first home. But surprise, surprise you find your budget just won’t let you go there right now.

It can be tempting to take any bits of hand-me-down furniture which family and friends may offer you and then wallow in disappointment that you are restricted by a shoestring budget.

But with a little imagination and energy you’ll be able to decorate your home to your own taste. All you need are good tips, time to look around for furnishings and a positive attitude.

The first important decision that you’re going to make about the interior of your home is the colour scheme, according to interior designer Geraldine O’Riordan.

“It’s amazing the number of people who make a mistake when choosing paint colours. Sit down and really think it all through before picking up that paint brush,” she says.

While deciding on the right colour for each room isn’t always easy, especially if you’re not big into colours, consulting an expert is sometimes the best way forward.

Getting an interior decorator or colour consultant to advise you on your home doesn’t cost the earth if you shop around. Gerard Duffy, interior designer with Cork based company design@bility, charges €80 for a half-day consultation.

“It may seem like a big expense initially, but having the right plan in mind can end up saving a person a few hundred euros in the long-run,” he says.

If you’re not too proud to get friends and family to rummage in their garages for any half tins of paint lying around, then you could end up saving significantly on the cost of paint.

White paint is relatively cheap and can be blended with old paint. Another cost-cutting idea is to buy white paint for your home and mix it with sample pots of colour paint to create the colour shade which you want.

“Often rooms in new homes are painted white. To create a modern look without too much expense, I would suggest painting one wall a different colour,” says Mr Duffy.

But shades of red, yellow and blue don’t just transform walls; you can also pick up a paint brush to change the look of your furniture. If you’ve bought second-hand furniture which looks a bit drab, then why not paint it. By stenciling a flower or some other motif on furniture you can create a Scandinavian look.

“Stencilling motifs on furniture is very popular right now. It’s a lot easier to do than people imagine,” says Ms O’Riordan, of Handpainted Interiors.

Stencilling is also the secret to making white calico curtains brighter, according to the interior decorator. Another good idea is to put masking tape on white calico in order to create striped curtains.

“Calico is quite cheap and it’s easy to paint over. Just make sure to use only a small bit of paint at a time as it’s important that the brush stays dry,” she says.

The interior designer advises home owners to never let the colour of a sofa dictate the colour scheme of a room. If a sofa and chairs are of good quality then it’s worthwhile saving up to get them upholstered.

“Too many people put up with sofas which are dull in colour. It’s the most important piece of furniture in your living room.”

While getting furniture upholstered can eat into your bank account, interior decorators say that a new fabric on your couch and chairs makes a big impact on any room.

While considering whether or not to invest in your couch and chairs, why not buy one or two colourful throws to brighten up your living/dining room.

Interior architect Deirdre Foley stresses that lamps at different heights should be used to light up rooms rather than having one light hanging in the centre of the room.

“The trend now is to have many lamps at floor and table level. This type of lighting creates a relaxing atmosphere,” says Ms Foley.

She adds having just one central light makes for a colder, more clinical atmosphere and advises first-time buyers to ensure any central lights in their homes are put on a dimmer.

While most of us haven’t thought long and hard about how best to decorate our homes, interior designers say that with proper planning you can achieve great results.

Being on a shoestring budget may be frustrating at first, but once you begin to make changes to your home’s décor you’ll enjoy looking at the fruits of your endeavours.