As the cost of living continues to skyrocket, furnishing a house with modern and expensive ideas may be quite a challenge who are struggling to make ends meet. However, this doesn’t mean that one should neglect the beauty and comfort of their homes.
Home decoration is not something that can be accomplished at once; the ideal way to decorate a home is one step at a time, one room at a time. This makes the process much less stressful, more enjoyable, and more affordable.
Ms Nancy Apimo, a resident of Buziga, says that maintaining the elegant look of her bungalow has not been an easy task, especially due to financial constraints. She however says that having money or owning a big house doesn’t mean that you have to spend a lot of money to bring out a great interior and exterior look. “When it comes to cheap home decorating ideas, the biggest hurdles that one may face include the right idea to beautifully decorate the walls of the house to help create a warm atmosphere with the design of your choice while being cost-effective,” she emphasises.
According to Mr Patrick Zziwa, an interior designer at Footsteps Furniture Limited, there are different ways that one can bring out the best from any room without necessarily stretching their budget. “Home decoration is all about innovation and creativity, using what you have to boost any given interior is the best decorating idea one can apply. The power of imagination is one great tool that can help one realise that dream house without necessarily straining a lot in getting funds,” he explains.
The accessories
Below are some on the cost-effective accessories that one can use to decorate the interior.
Arts / pictures
Work of art is one great inspiration when it comes to decoration. Ms Apimo advises that hanging some old painting of craft work on the any wall in your living room, will create an inviting mood since walls are the first place eyes look into. She adds that since not all people are art fanatics, one can instead use pictures. They could be family sentimental pictures or any appealing picture portrait to help camouflage the blank walls that make the room look dull.
Painting
This is one of the most affordable and effective ways of decoration without stretching your budget. For years, many have used paint for exterior finishing purposes but the scope at which painting can be useful to improve the interior have intensified with the availability of affordable and different colours of paint.
According to Mr Julius Musoke, a hardware operator at Nakasero market, the wide use of paint is generally because it comes in various colours. Paint is environmentally friendly and comes in different types and packed in different quantities. “Paint is one of the least expensive things one can add to any room and depict that immediate and profound impact on the overall look and feel of the room in question. However, one should choose the right paint colours, a colour that complements other accessories in the room so as to create a nice colour contrast,” Mr Musoke explains.
Re-arrange furniture
There are times when the dullness of a house is caused by improper home arrangement. According to Ms Apimo, buying expensive items doesn’t really guarantee the improvement of a house. Some people buy many expensive items but when it comes to arrangement, less work is done, which makes the room look cluttered. The right arrangement of items is very critical and can be done by an interior designer at a relatively low cost and you will have the best makeover.
Indoor plants
Nature is one unique way to spice up a room. Bringing the nature into the house can also help one improve the house decoration without digging deeper into the pockets. Indoor plants also play a great role when it comes to cheap but classy decorations. In order to get the best out of plant decorations, purchasing several plants in different shapes and sizes and placing them in strategic positions, will add value to your home. Mr Michael Kaliba, a landscaper at Mukwano Road, says that alternatively, one can buy a large plant, about five feet tall or and have a spotlight placed behind it. Once the lights are lit, the tree creates beautiful shadows and gives depth and mystery to the room.
Area rugs
The floor is also an area of concern as well. People want to feel what they are stepping on. Placing some attractive rugs in the house can be useful and help the homeowner create a good atmosphere. “Using throw rugs and floor rugs is a great way of achieving a rhythm of colour, pattern and texture throughout a room. This is because using decorative rugs is an easy and cost-effective way of transforming a dull, dated and uninteresting room,” Mr Zziwa says.
Textiles
There are so many areas that need the use of materials, from window curtains to slip covers. Having worn-out furniture doesn’t mean you abandon the house awaiting the day you will have a fat check to do a makeover. Use the little you have and live happy. Some people view window curtains as just mare pieces of clothes to ensure privacy but they are more to that, proper window curtains create a beautiful atmosphere, especially when bright colours are used.
Sewing some covers for the pillow and seat will also help one change the atmosphere of the room anytime one chooses. “Slip covers help protect furniture from dust. It also helps to change the look of a house anytime one wishes without having to put other new furniture.