Home renovation shows are an inspirational curse. They present you with top-notch, well-staged ideas that launch you into action in your home but at the expense of your pocketbook.
Low budget interior design doesn’t have to have the wow factor in order to look amazing. Check out this guide to designing your home on a budget.
Hire a Consultant
You might not have the money to hire an interior design team, but you can definitely get their advice along the way. Interior designers at small firms have experience in lower budget projects that can fit your budget.
Ask your designer to provide things like drawings or floor plans. Their time with new clients is usually spent overseeing a large team of contractors, junior staff, and permits.
If you take away all the day to day legwork and simply ask for an idea, you can cut back on hours and hours of expenses. This does put the burden on you or your contractors to implement the design flawlessly and find things like roof water damage.
But if you’re careful with who you choose to do the work, you can rest easy knowing the design will come out well. If you’re lucky, your interior designer might recommend a contractor within your budget.
However, an interior designer’s resources might be limited in that area since their top concern for clients is quality and not getting cheap work done. If you’re having trouble finding an interior designer who will work as a consultant, look for recent college grads or junior staff members at local firms.
These individuals are more likely to need help building their portfolios and will take on a wider range of projects. Just make sure you give them the flexibility they need to be creative.
The trade-off in helping someone build a portfolio is making sure they have creative input in the project so that it’s worth their while. The creative freedom often replaces the need to get paid their actual rate.
Budget Interior Design Options
Having a low budget doesn’t take away your desire for good design. It also doesn’t mean you want to make everything in your home from recycled materials.
Find that happy medium between upcycling where you can and adding top quality materials. You’ll likely have to splurge in some parts of your plan.
Make a list of where you won’t compromise on style and quality. This should be no more than three aspects of a room if you’re on a really tight budget.
But this number could vary depending on the square footage of a room. For example, if having marble floors is a must-have, you need to think twice about other non-negotiables if it’s for a home with an open floor plan.
Here are three spaces in your home where you can easily save without worry you won’t get that wow factor.
Landscaping
Your interior design isn’t only about the interior spaces of your home. Things like a trellis over your garage set the tone for how you’ll feel upon entering your home each day.
These are areas where you can add upgrades that are affordable yet impactful. Look for inexpensive slow-growing shrubs at your local hardware store.
Keeping your front porch adorned with greenery means having an attractive, good feeling space without expensive projects like redoing the siding on your home. Add outdoor rugs, hanging plans and lanterns for an easy update to your home.
Foyers
Another area where a splurge won’t hurt the budget is your foyer. It’s the first place you and guests enter when coming into your home.
Foyers are the place where top quality flooring and artwork live. It’s the area where you want to spend time thinking about the lighting and storage options for keys or coats.
The foyer should welcome you with your favorites before you enter other spaces in your home.
Living Room
The living room is another room where you can save money on upgrades. If you can’t afford to refinish your hardwood floors, opt to get a new area rug instead.
You’d be surprised at how a new rug style can transform the tone of your living room. Fresh carpeting also helps rid the room of the discomfort of dust mites from days past.
Add a fresh coat of paint, affordable flooring and declutter your living room as a budget interior design option. Add a slipcover for the couch if replacing it altogether isn’t an option.
Your living room can feel completely remodeled with only a few tweaks if you plan accordingly.
Where to Invest in Interior Design
People will always tell you that bathrooms and kitchens are the best places to invest when designing your home. This is because it adds to value when you plan to sell.
You won’t make the money back dollar for a dollar right away, but if you stay in your home long enough the money you invest will come back to you. Buyers want upgrades in the kitchen and bathrooms.
To them, it’s a sign they’re getting a well-kept home. Set aside the largest budget items for the kitchen and bathrooms in your home.
Focus on the quality of bathroom fixtures and a well-designed floor plan. In the kitchen, look into upgrades appliances and cabinetry.
An interior design consultant can help you maximize your spend with a timeless design.
Hiring an Interior Designer on a Budget
Budget interior design is mostly done it yourself. You won’t find interior designers willing to design on a dime without some benefit to themselves.
Be willing to be flexible on your creative plans if you enlist the help of anyone who needs the work for their portfolio. For more information and tips, visit our blog for updates.
