5 Quick, Easy, and Budget-Friendly Ways To Refresh Your Home
Giving my house a few simple updates to address areas that look a little worn (or replace items that I’ve fallen out of love with) is something that I usually only do during New Year. Once the Christmas decorations come down and everything feels a bit bare, I view the house with new eyes (which tend to highlight the imperfections). As we come out of lockdown for (hopefully) the last time, I’ve felt a huge urge to rejuvenate my home for a fresh start. As we start to venture out more, I don’t want to come home to the same flat cushions we’ve sat permanently on for over 12 months. I’m bored of looking at the same colours. I want things to feel lighter and brighter after the heavy cloud that has hung over us all with COVID. As the weather starts to warm up and the beer gardens open, most of us do not want to get stuck into a long DIY project, so here are five simple, budget-friendly updates that you can do to spruce up your space:
Units painted in Rust-Oleum’s Kitchen Cupboard Paint in Leaplish (bottom) and Steamed Milk (top) Photographer: James Gardiner
Paint your kitchen cabinets quickly and easily with Rust-Oleum’s kitchen cupboard paint
Kitchen cabinets get so much use that they chip and look worn down after a period of time. Painting your units was always a long, laborious job. I’ve written here in this blog about the sanding, priming and prep work (not to mention the drying time required for 2 x coats of primer and 2 x coats of eggshell). This month, Rust-Oleum is revolutionising the paint market with their Kitchen Cupboard Paint. No priming or top coat is required - you just lightly abrade and wash the surface area first, then paint it in one of their 110 colour options. It all sounded a bit too good to be true - so I tested out the paint in my own kitchen. I had really dark blue units before, so I was sceptical that no primer was required (especially when I wanted to go for a lighter colour). In the end, the dark blue was blocked out with just one coat of the Cupboard Paint to leave a super-matt, chalky finish. Suitable for both wood and melamine, Rust-Oleum Kitchen Cupboard Paint is touch-dry in one hour, so it’s really great if you have kids or pets. Order sachet colour samples online for just 99p (with free delivery).
Photographer: James Gardiner
Update your hardware
This is also something I did recently in my kitchen but I do it all the time when upcycling furniture, or when giving a new look to an existing wardrobe or sideboard. If you haven’t attempted this before, you’ll be amazed at the difference it makes to revive draws and cabinets. Via Instagram, I recently discovered Corston Architectural Detail - a British company based in Wiltshire that makes beautifully crafted hardware. I added their Kilburn Furniture Knobs in Antique Brass to my kitchen cabinets and they completely elevated the space.
Cabinet pulls by Corston Architectural Detail. Photographer: James Gardiner
Buy new cushions
After lockdown, your sofa has probably had a lot more use than ever before. Replacing your existing sofa is a huge expense, but you can revitalise it relatively inexpensively by swapping out your old cushions for new ones. Below, I have listed my edit of the best cushions currently available to buy online or in-store:
Clockwise from top left: Adda Cushion from Dunelm / Monroe by Soho Home via Liberty / Morris & Co. Pimpernel Cushion, Indigo, via John Lewis & Partners / Whistler Extra Soft Cushion by Next / Onadowan by MADE.com / Metropolitan Cushion Blossom by Kirkby Design
Invest in new bedding
What feels better than fresh, clean sheets? Brand new, fresh, clean sheets! Investing in new bedding is one of those things you often forget about doing, then once you’ve done it you wonder why you didn’t do it sooner. As well as being soft and luxurious, the average bed takes up quite a lot of square footage, so a new bedding design can transform a space without making any other significant changes in the room.
Designer and stylist Nick Snow has this month teamed up with bedding brand Tielle Love Luxury (whose bed linen can be found in The Lanesborough, as well as many other top UK hotels) for his limited edition California Dreaming collection. Taking inspiration from the personality, colours and shapes of Palm Springs, these beachy stripes are available in both a blue and a green colourway:
Nick Snow’s California Dreaming collection for Tielle Love Luxury.
If colour in the bedroom isn’t your thing, then go for a detailed edge to mix it up a bit. This scalloped-edged bedding from John Lewis & Partners is competitively priced compared to similar, high-end designs available:
Scalloped-edged bedding from John Lewis & Partners
Ruffles and frills are having a moment in interiors. You can always rely on H&M home to deliver the trend at an affordable price point. This flouncy-trim design is available in beige, white and grey:
flouncy-trim bedding set by H&M Home.
Switch up your artwork
Rotating your existing artwork around your home, or purchasing a few affordable new prints is a quick way to give a room a refresh and have it looking a lot different than before. In the past few months, I’ve found Instagram to be a great source of independent artists and I have added a number of new pieces in my home that I’ve placed in inexpensive IKEA frames.
Spring Floral print by Annie Dornan Smith on my media unit at home.
Annie Dornan Smith is a recent favourite discovery and I particularly love her range of spring floral prints that she sells, starting at only £11.50.
Spring floral print by Annie Dornan Smith.
For sophisticated, vintage floral prints from textile design artworks dating back to the 1800’s, head on over to Print Sisters (holders of a large, privately-owned collection) who print and sell limited edition runs of selected designs on 100% recycled and sustainable paper. Both stylish and unique, each print starts at £35 for an A4.
No.042 - Nouveau Love - Print Sisters
One of my favourite art print suppliers the Danish brand Paper Collective has recently teamed up with H&M Home to sell some of their best designs in the UK. I recently picked up this brilliant print, below, for my living room for just £17.99. H&M Home slimline wood art frames are also a great purchase, so add an accompanying one for your print in your basket at the same time.
You can also head over to Printivart for a wide range of wall art options.
Disclaimer: some products featured in some of the images of my home have been sent to me as PR products free of charge. I have also worked on wider, paid social media campaigns for others. However, this post is organic and in no way sponsored by any of the brands or companies featured.
