TIE YOUR OWN SHOWER CURTAIN RINGS
Try swapping your cheap plastic shower rings for leather ties. Probably not ideal in a heavily used shower (you don’t want the leather dye running onto the shower curtain). But an ultra-chic update and easy weekend project: just replace standard rings with 40 centimetre lengths of leather cord, knotted together. You can source a sturdy duck cotton shower curtain from Amazon, $36.99.
A QUICK SCRUB-UP
Paint can work wonders but sugar soap might be all you need – the results of a good scrub can be astounding.
OPEN SHELVES
Two brackets banged into a wall with a piece of wood on them: what could be simpler? This weekend, look around your house and transform dead spaces into storage with shelving – that awkward space above the overhead kitchen cabinets can be used for china. Those bits of blank wall space in the sitting room or hall can be used for books,. There are loads of readymade, good looking shelving options around that can be attached to virtually any surface.
HANG ART
Attend to the unframed art that’s been leaning on walls for years. Frame the best and chuck the rest. If you can’t afford bespoke, stick to plain frames (the sort you find at discount shops). Hang your art at the right height: the general rule is to make sure the centre of the work is 150 centimetres from the floor. And don’t strand small picturs on acres of wall; group them with other small works.
If you’ve got a huge collection of hats, breadboards, baskets, women’s hats, rattan trays, even ceiling roses, hang objects on the wall, floor to ceiling. Start with the biggest and best in the middle and work outwards. It’s a really good way of decorating if you can’t afford art. Very little money, but lots of nostalgia value and a great conversation-starter. Easy, too.
A utensil rack can be the little touch than gives any kitchen character and soul. your home. Use anything from a white painted branch hanging from a few strands of rope with S-hooks from Ikea to hang pans and tea pots will do the trick to a designer rack.
TRANSFORM YOUR FRONT DOOR WITH PAINT
Paint over that mission brown front door. It will take less time and money than you thought and your life will improve dramatically.
FIND YOUR INNER CHILD
Try hanging a pod-chair. Grab a sledgehammer and bang a Dynabolt in a balcony beam to attach it – you’ll find it better therapy than a psychiatrist’s chair.
TRANSFORM DEAD SPACES INTO HAVENS
Turn that useless space out in the garden into a work studio, potting shed or garden room. Imagination, a lick of white paint, and a comfy chair will renovate the space in no time.
BUY A PLANT
One of the quickest, most affordable, ways to update a space is add a plant. Pop off to your local grower’s marker or nursery, and grab anything from succulents to buxus, rosemary, thyme to bulbs to place on a desk, side table, console, benchtop, side table . Magic.
MAKE THE SWITCH
Update old plastic light switches with sleek stainless-steel ones. Remember, our light switches are as prominent as your paintings, and you should never skimp on things you notice of touch every day. It will make a huge difference. New taps, cupboard handles and window latches are other ways to add very affordable style.
LIGHTEN UP
Pack away objects that have been gathering dust, and use your shelves to display something light – stacks of white china, glass jugs, or your shell collection
DO A WINDOW TREATMENT
One of the first things people notice when they walk into a room is the window treatment. If money is tight, raid a chainstore such as Bunnings or Freedom where you will find ready-made blinds for less. You’ll be amazed how good they can look. From bargain bamboo designs to tobacco-weave designs or charcoal mesh rollers. Cheap, cheap, cheap. Hang blinds from the ceiling architraves to give your rooms height, and no one will know they aren’t bespoke.
RIG YOUR OWN UTILITY CLOSET
Conceal anything from an unsightly washing machine to cluttered closet with some pre-cut railing, curtain rings and a simple drop ready-made curtaining from Ikea. It sounds like hard work, but all it takes is a few affordable hardware and chainstore purchases. Drill holes into each side of the wall, screw two anchors in to the holes, pop curtain rings on the metal pipe, hang curtains and eye sore is resolved.
UPGRADE AN OLD DRESSER
With new knobs you can spruce up everything from a soulless cabinet to a ramshackle beach house or the doors of an inner-city apartment. Pop along to your fave hardware store, grab a few fab knobs and transform your chest into the room’s new star turn.
