Budget Home Hacks for a Fresh Start

As the summer season comes to a close, the start of a new school year brings with it a sense of renewal and opportunity. For many, this time of year sparks inspiration to refresh and revamp their living spaces without breaking the bank. Homemaker and influencer Carly Ellis shares her top budget-friendly home hacks, ranging from upcycling and decluttering to clever paint tricks and creative storage solutions.

Key Takeaways:

• Upcycled furniture from charity shops can be transformed into brand new pieces with minimal effort, costing as little as 25p for a tin of paint.
• Pressing flowers is a cost-effective way to create unique prints, with flowers picked from gardens or countryside walks.
• A fresh coat of paint is the cheapest way to transform a room, with options starting from as little as 25p for a tester pot.
• Decluttering and rearranging existing furniture can completely refresh a space without incurring any costs.
• Mirrors can make a room appear larger by reflecting light, with options sourced from charity shops, car-boot sales, or Facebook Marketplace.
• Using food and beauty product packaging as vessels for low-cost decorations is a creative solution for upcycling.
• White paint is often the most affordable and easiest to use for beginners, and can be used for a room makeover with a few tweaks.
• Wallpaper offcuts and samples can add a pop of color and interest to a room at a low cost.
• Simple rows of hooks can create storage that doubles as decoration, with options starting from as little as pennies at B&Q.

Statistics:

• Upcycled furniture can be transformed with paint costing as little as 25p.
• A fresh coat of paint can transform a room for as little as 25p using a tester pot.
• Mirrors can be sourced from charity shops for free.
• Food and beauty product containers can be upcycled for free.
• A row of hooks costs as little as pennies at B&Q.

Sources:

• @makingitmint (Carly Ellis's Instagram handle)
• Pinterest
• Instagram
• Facebook Marketplace
• Anthropologie (for Elin ceramic knobs)
• Wilko stores (for Lilac Fields emulsion paint tester pot)
• eBay
• Vinted
• Argos (for a full-length mirror)
• Flying Tiger (for a glass mushroom vase)
• Boots (for Sanctuary Spa natural oils salt scrub)
• Next (for Egyptian cotton towels)
• projectreclaim.co.uk (for Industrial reclaimed wood shelves)
• YouTube (for tutorials on various DIY projects)
• Instagram 'how-to' videos (for tutorials on various DIY projects)