Having a comfortable and stylish home is a priority for most, but most of us don’t have the budget to invest in high-end designer pieces or an interior decorator. However, there are plenty of ways to give your home a designer feel at a price you can afford.
Inspiration may spring from a furniture catalogue, Instagram or Pinterest; while flicking through the latest edition of Country Style or Vogue or even while watching one of the many home improvement television shows on rotation, be it Grand Designs for the more ambitious or Better Homes and Gardens for DIY ideas. Let these sources be your inspiration but don’t be tempted to replicate them piece by piece. Whether you’ve almost paid off your own place, just entered the property market or rented, try exploring the ideas below to achieve a luxury look for much less than you might expect.
Be patient
Accept it might take a while to source affordable but desirable items. In fact, it might take several years to carefully curate a home filled with special pieces you love. But by waiting until you find items at an affordable price (rather than impulse buying) you will be more mindful and discerning in the process plus you’ll save money in the short term while enjoying the outcome long-term.
Decide on a style or theme and stick to it
Keeping the colour palette, style and mood of your home consistent throughout will make decorating easier. This also allows you to move items from room to room when you feel like a refresh. Use a website like Pinterest to create a mood board of styles you like or collect pictures from magazines and keep them in a ‘style file’. This will help you to determine what you love. Then try to find a common thread through all the pictures you’ve taken - what colours, finishes and styles are you drawn to? Let this guide you to create cohesion and consistency within your home, where rooms flow together seamlessly with a unified look and feel.
Invest
A handful of more expensive pieces of furniture or features to set the tone and act as a focal point, will help to establish a designer aesthetic in your home. A beautiful armchair, woven rug or marble bench top might be something you have to save up for, but if looked after will last you a lifetime. Keep the rest of your home neutral so these can really shine.
Shop Smart, Shop Second Hand
Buying secondhand furniture is one of the best ways to fill your home with beautiful statement pieces without the high price tag. Ebay, Gumtree, auctions and even the occasional garage sale will yield treasures if you have a keen eye and are prepared to be patient for opportunities. Invest in styles and brands which have stood the test of time, and which are sought after. Research the styles you like and trawl second hand websites for special pieces. When buying secondhand items online ensure to read the full description and check photos closely for damage or scratches and don’t overpay for something just because you love it. Ideally view the item before committing to a purchase.
Shop the sales
If it’s time to update some pieces for your home with new replacements, I aim to buy items on sale. Once you know what you're after sit back and wait for the end of financial year sales or begin the hunt for ex-floor stock. Do your research, shop around for the best deal and always focus on quality over quantity.
Get the look for less
There’s a growing range of retail stores which offer designer inspired pieces for a fraction of the designer price. In many cases they are functional, (usually) easy to assemble, and as they are neutral with subtle tones and shapes, they fit into many different homes. A few hours online and you’ll find stylish furniture and accessories with similar detailing, finishes or shape to those you’ve been lusting after.
Add your personal touches
Don’t underestimate how finishes such paint, wallpaper, flooring and fabrics can impact the quality of your living space and add to the overall look of your interior scheme. Soft lighting with lamps and warmly rendered globes (avoid fluorescents and bright whites) will make any space feel and look comfy. A soft, cosy throw and complimentary cushions will set off a vintage lounge, and a gorgeous piece of art will add colour and interest to a space. Healthy greenery always add a touch of glamour. Source vintage brass pots from thrift shops and fill them with parlour palms or peace lilies for low maintenance foliage with a touch of class.
Keep it simple
Have you ever noticed the spaces we aspire toward are generally uncluttered and simple? We drool over interiors which are spacious and light filled. Perhaps it’s the space we are drawn to not the items on display. Simple spaces don’t overstimulate with too many colours/styles/patterns/items. They are easy on the eye and therefore easy on the brain and can help us to feel calm.
It can be hard to pull back when decorating your own home, especially when you’ve gathered lovely things over the years and you want all of them on display, but the key to a designer look is to only showcase a few key things. Keep your favourites on rotation so they all get a bit of airtime.
Simple often equates to stylish if executed with flair and an eye for elegance. Instead of filling your home with lots of cheap furnishings which won’t stand the test of time, invest in a small number of high quality (but affordable) timeless pieces you’ll be able to enjoy for many, many years to come.
Finding a style which suits your lifestyle and tastes might take a few years to develop and refine, and it will likely evolve over time, but once you’ve found your dream aesthetic, you can begin collecting pieces to collate a living space you genuinely love.
Alison Gallagher is a freelance writer, resourcefulness expert and entrepreneur. She has been featured in various publications including Stellar Magazine, Australian Health and Fitness Magazine, and Cleo Magazine. Alison is particularly passionate about sharing practical tips on how to live simply, sustainably and seasonally.
