Why your home makeover need not be expensive

 

Sometimes all it takes is new colour on one wall or different cushions to make an impact. FOTOSEARCH 

By Isabella Mukumu

In Summary

• Give your house a new look with these ideas where you don’t have to rob a bank.

The New Year comes with new things, new resolutions and ideas. However, for many home owners nothing seems to change in their homes after the Christmas tree and decorations are taken off.

Being January, not much is left in the pocket to renovate the roofing or replace that old stove you got on your wedding day years ago, but there is much more that can be done to give every room in the house a fresh new look.

Ms Daphine Okonji of Elle Interior Designers says that one doesn’t have to buy new furniture in the house as the use of decorative elements in the house such as throw pillows can give it a new look.

“There are small ways to make a huge difference in any room in the house.

The easiest way is to reposition furniture, place them in different corners of the house. Do this until you are satisfied with the new look. Get help from the kids before they go back to school.

If the beds are against the walls, trying positioning them against the windows or away from the walls but remember to leave enough space for light.

Walls

Fresh paint on your walls will always save the day, as it gives the rooms a new look and changes the feel of any room from a boring, uninspired area to a magnificent, welcoming space.

Whether it is adding another coat of paint on the wall or changing the colour, this is one inexpensive way of giving a room an exciting new look.

Buy inexpensive wall hangings or frame those family photos you took while on holiday and place then strategically on the wall or on a mantelpiece.

Curtains

Changing the curtains is another great way of giving your room a new face. Most people keep the same curtains on their windows for years until they look faded and out of shape yet you can get curtain material for as little as Sh200 a metre during the seasonal sales.

Every year there are new fabric designs and many more ways to dress your windows without much effort. With various sales in most fabric shops, just get curtain fabric at a bargain and have it tailored according to your specifications.

The sofa

Are you still stuck with your treasured comfortable, but ugly sofas? Most people hate to give up their sofas due to the attachment they have had over the years.

 

However, reupholstering them is much more affordable than buying new ones. Just look for a good carpenter to change the fabric and add the sofa filling should that be necessary.

With various upholstery services in the country, they will be able to examine and advice on the condition of the seat and what needs to be changed. This is easy as they can be done right in your compound and it won’t take more than a week to do.

Reupholstering will breathe new life into an old favourite as it also allows you to improve a newly purchased second hand sofa. It restores the appearance of the sofa and updates the look of the room.

Accessorize and Decorative pieces

Even if you are satisfied with the current state of your home, you can still change a few of the decorative elements around the house. Whether it is buying a new rug, throw pillow, toilet set, new treatment for your lights like a lamp shade or a chandelier could do the trick.

Buying new bed covers or a new mosquito net for the bed will bring new life to the bedroom. These are some of the details that give the house a finished look and are important to the overall decor.

To ensure the home is keep neat and tidy, invest in some home accessories that will ensure everything is kept in its rightful place.

A remote control bag which is strapped on the arm chair will ensure you always know where they are and that they are not strewn all over the place.

The magazines that are often placed on the table or the side stool can be neatly stored in a magazine rack or basket.

All in all Ms Okonji advises that people should get rid of clutter in the house to make room for other purchases. In other words, get rid of stuff in order to bring in new things. Don’t just keep on buying and filling the room.