New home on a budget
You’ve managed to secure your new home, whether that is through renting or buying. Either way is a huge achievement. But now what do you do if you need to turn your new house into your new home on a budget?
Firstly, you need to know what your budget is. Setting a budget is key to making sure you get everything you need without overspending.
It doesn’t matter how big or small that budget is, as long as you know exactly how much you have to spend, you can create the perfect home.
Decorating on a budget
Everyone wants to completely redecorate their new house when they first move it. They want to add their personality and style to their home. If you are on a tight budget you might have to reign those plans in for a bit.
Take a realistic look around your home and decide which rooms you can live in for a bit. Then prioritise which of the rooms really needs doing first.
Then do you paint or wallpaper?
Painting is definitely the cheaper option and the less time consuming one too. Wallpaper is great but when you are on a budget, you might want to mix it up and just paper a feature wall.
Think about your colour palette too. Bright vibrant colours may look great but they can date quickly and might show signs of wear and tear a lot quicker than a neutral colour scheme.
Furnishing on a budget
If you have furniture from your previous place then this area might be where you save some of your budget for other areas.
If not, how can you furnish your home on a budget?
Family are great for passing on unwanted household items. Although they might not always be to your taste or style, sometimes needs must. You can cover over a sofa with throws and cushions or place a tablecloth over a well-loved dining table.
Alternatively, buy second-hand from places like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree or eBay. You may also have charity shops or local home support centres that offer low-cost second-hand furniture and many of these places will deliver for a small fee.
Upcycle where you can
Another idea to help with furnishing your home is to upcycle or repurpose items. Paint a preloved table or bedside cabinet, turn old pallets into garden furniture or reupholster a chair in fabric more fitting with your decor.
There are many upcycling projects you can do, the possibilities are endless and thrifty.
Plan where to start
The main way to save money and create a new home on a budget is to plan where to start. As with decorating, if you look at the house and do the most important areas first, the rest will be livable for a start and once you are settled and you’ve completed those must-do tasks, you can move onto the areas of your home that are more superficial.