You have design tastes and ideas that seem to exceed your budget? Don’t despair! With a little creativity, you can turn your bland décor into a hip abode that not only matches your personality but also meets your design expectations. All you need is imagination – and a little bit of work. Here are a few tips to guide you through your interior design adventure!

First, if you want to minimize costs in the long run, you should invest in quality pieces that will pass the test of time both in terms of durability and in terms of look. If you are to splurge on certain items, it should be on foundation pieces such as kitchen appliances, bedroom sets and sofas, for instance. These great foundation pieces will give an air of elegance to your room and reflect on everything around them – even your budget or recycled items! If you want these pieces to be versatile enough to endure the test of time, you should stay away from overly colourful statement pieces that will go out of fashion within two seasons. Foundation pieces should be neutral both in terms of design and colour. If you have antiques or quality pieces that only need a little TLC to have a second life, however, don’t hesitate to paint/refinish them, or have them reupholstered.

Once you have strategically mixed quality pieces with your existing items, dress up your rooms to make them shine! Now is when your imagination and DIY skills will come in handy. The least expensive improvement you can make is to give your walls a fresh coat of paint. For the more daring among us, bold wallpaper on an accent wall is also an option.

Now that you’ve created a shell, it’s time to give it personality and oomph with carefully chosen accessories. An element that should not be overlooked is lighting. Adding new lamps and suspensions can be enough to give a completely new look and feel to your room, and you don’t have to break the bank in the process. You can even give a new life to the ones you have by painting them or simply by changing the shade.

Another inexpensive way to add character to your room is to add cushions or throws to your sofas and chairs. Sometimes, trendy colours and patterns is all a room needs to send a modern, updated vibe. If you are confident enough in your sewing skills, you can easily buy fabric and make new covers for your existing cushions. Once you’re at it, why wouldn’t you use the rest of the fabric to add a panel at the bottom of your drapes?

Accessories and artwork add a finishing touch to a décor and do not need to be expensive. Reframing existing paintings or photos, or adding a few, carefully chosen pieces, are enough to give a new feel to a room. When integrating those final details, make sure to opt for elements that fit with your overall design and don’t over-decorate. If you want a killer design, clutter is not the way to go!