When Ben and I sat down and did the first, second and third budgets for our renovation, no matter how we cut it we weren’t rolling in loads of expendable cash, so we needed to keep the costs down as much as possible.
Particularly with such big items like raising the house eating up so much of the budget we did have! But the problem with cheaper alternatives is that they often look and feel exactly that – cheap. So we set about applying as much elbow grease and as many bright ideas as possible to spruce up the place and give it a designer finish without breaking the bank. And I think we achieved it! I wanted to share with you a few ways you can incorporate this into your own space, whether you’re doing a big renovation or simply updating your rental or dorm.
Tips For A Designer Finish On A Budget
Hand paint your cabinets The problem with most off the rack cabinets used in kitchens, bathrooms and bedrooms is that they most often come in basic stock colours. Take a budget option up a notch with some hand painting (grab the DIY here).
Choose Wood Over Laminate When it comes to bench tops, the cheapest option is going to be laminate, but it’s worth it to stump up the cost for wooden bench tops. They come in a range of styles and will make it feel expensive without the (huge!) outlay of granite or stone.
Swap Out Cabinet Handles There are so many fun and gorgeous cabinet handles on the market, so why not swap out more simple ones with something a bit more fun? Try wooden ones, or brass metal. These guys have good ones.
Add Mid Century Legs Seriously, mid century legs make everything better. Even a wooden box looks better with mid century legs so why not add them to cabinets, tables and anything that needs a bit more detail.
Mix Old and New Elements If there’s one styling and decor trick I always rely on it’s mixing old and new. Whether it’s furniture, surfaces or lighting, the key to a more ‘design-y’ finish is one with a few unexpected elements.
Use Matching Metal Fixtures I know there’s a lot of debate about mixing metals but to me, keeping the metal tones in your space the same will give it a more streamlines feel. Just my opinion!
Oh, and when in doubt? Add more cushions!
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Paint your cabinets custom colours - Paint your cabinets custom colours
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Go for wood over laminate - Go for wood over laminate
Love to hear some other ways that you have made your space feel expensive without the outlay?
