5 budget-friendly ways to update the bedroom
Give your bedroom an update with these five budget-friendly tips that can really make an impact to your home.
1. Bedclothes
The bed is obviously the focal point, so the easiest way to freshen up the entire room is to change bedclothes. Comfortable, on-trend designs are no longer the sole domain of expensive boutiques. Thanks to mid-level department stores and online shopping, sheet sets and doona covers have never been more reasonably priced, or as individual. But even if you’re not into a bed overall, a few scatter cushions can still make an impact.
“It doesn’t take much to revamp your soft furnishings,” says Kerena Berry, interior designer and co-founder of Designbx. “Pillows and cushions can often be the most vibrant and patterned items in a room.”
2. A fresh coat of paint
Looking to make a big change without the big cost? “A little spending on paint can go a long way” says Berry, who recommends painting a key feature, or one part of your furniture, such as the inside of a bookshelf. “Don’t feel limited to the classic idea of repainting a room.” But if the urge should strike you, Berry suggests going in an opposite direction to what you currently have in order to really amplify the change. If you’re committed to light and airy whites and neutrals, for example, you might want to delve into something more dramatic and moody, like a deep blue. If that feels like a big commitment, you can always paint just one wall. A cool, dark colour is more conducive to sleep. “Of course,” adds Berry, “why focus on the walls? A new colour and finish for the floor could reinvent the space.”
3. Furniture swap
Every householder who has ever felt bored by their surrounds can relate to rearranging their furniture. But Berry has a fresh take on an old routine; instead of swapping furniture from one corner of the room to another, try switching entire rooms. “Make your hall table a dresser, bring the spare chairs from the dining room into the bedroom for bedside tables, or move the bookcases into the dining room from the study to give an opulent and cosy feel.”
4. Reframe
Now is the time to print out all those great photos. You can cluster a group of varying frames together, and devote one photo to each family member. “It may simply be a matter of framing and arrangement to create a striking effect,” says Berry. “Don’t be afraid to combine an eclectic collection and range of sizes. In many cases, even the most diverse images work together.”
Alternatively, you can enlarge one great photo of you and a loved one to hang above your bed. Be sure to have it printed in glossy black and white, as you don’t want the photo to overwhelm the room. Added bonus: everyone looks great in black and white and it goes with any wall colouring. Is there a window above the bed? Lucky you, you already have plenty of natural light. If this is the case, you can mount the large frame above your dresser.
5. Change of scent
Forget buying candles for acquaintances and instead, stock up on a bunch of really beautiful scents for yourself. Put one on each bedside table, so it can double as a lamp. The low light is perfect for readying you to sleep. Lavender fragrance is recommended if you struggle with insomnia. But if you’re just looking to enhance the mood of your bedroom, fig is subtle and ever-so-slightly glamorous. It’s delicate enough for anyone who opposes the sweeter candles, too.
Alternatively, get yourself a fresh bouquet of flowers. They’re an unexpected, romantic touch to a bedroom. Don’t bother with over-priced florists, try the flower markets instead. If you can’t get there, your local green grocer or supermarket is usually stocked. Don’t worry about the presentation because you’ll be seeing to that at home. If it’s a beautiful scent you’re after, you can’t go past tiger lilies, but if you’re more concerned with aesthetics, choose peonies and hydrangeas for a look that is pretty as a picture arranged in a small, glass bowl.
Written by Natalie Reilly. First appeared on Domain.com.au.
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