We don’t all have the budget or capacity to carry out full blown refurbishments on our homes. Or perhaps you’re saving up to carry out work but in the meantime are desperate for a few quick wins to freshen up your tired looking surroundings. Below are four easy ways you can do just that.
Re-upholster existing furniture
Reupholstering existing sofas or chairs is a brilliantly effective way of refreshing a space. Cheaper than buying new furniture, it is also kinder on the planet. We find that almost all sofas/chairs can be given a new lease of life by a skilled upholsterer no matter the age or condition. Another bonus that is often overlooked when it comes to re-using vs buying new is that when reupholstering existing items you have an enormous choice when it comes to fabrics to use (providing the rub count is suitable), whereas when purchasing new furniture you’re limited to a selection of house fabrics which generally tend to be plain rather than patterned.
In this London living room, we reupholstered our client’s old sofa in a bright and bold Lewis and Wood fabric to add oomph and visual appeal.
Add panelling
Panelling elevates the look and feel of any entrance and can suit both modern and traditional homes. On the effort/reward scale it’s definitely up there in terms of best budget home improvements, and it’s even one the more DIY savvy among us can take on themselves (perhaps with the help of a Youtube video, of which there are hundreds!) MDF moulding can be picked up cheaply from any DIY shop, cut to size and glued straight on to walls. Our top tip is to paint both the moulding and the walls in eggshell paint to give the effect of real wood panelling.
Add interest to existing joinery
Replacing joinery is a hefty investment. Instead, use clever tricks to refresh what you already have. A favourite tip of ours is to paint the insides of joinery in a bold colour, which adds a fun and unexpected pop without overpowering a room. The perfect project for a rainy Winter’s day. Updating knobs and handles is another cheap and easy win. Try opting for something contrasting or textured – there’s a wealth of options out there from retailers such as Matilda Goad, Anthropologie and Graham & Green.
Give your kitchen cabinetry a lick of paint
An existing kitchen can be transformed by simply changing the colour of the cabinetry. In this South West London kitchen, we chose a smoky green from Farrow & Ball to replace the previously neutral cabinets and added antique brass hardware. Paired with the existing marble worktop and walnut floor, the finished look has a timeless appeal. Always use eggshell paint for kitchen cabinetry, and if you’re not a proficient decorator then do employ a professional. But for the cost of a tin of paint and a couple of days labour, your kitchen will feel shiny and new.
