GRAND DESIGNS ON A BUDGET
By Sharon Davies

Decorating our homes doesn't have to be a chore and it certainly doesn't have to cost the earth. In many ways it's a chance to realise new trends, experiment with colour and fabrics and to explore exciting lighting and designs. Some of us prefer stark, sparsely furnished homes with a minimalist appearance, while others prefer a more cluttered, cosy retreat.

Whatever our taste, if we want our home to look beautiful, then it really ought to feel beautiful as well. With a little thought and imagination the dimensions of our living space can be completely transformed, creating a fresh new look. The key to creating a beautiful home on a shoestring, is to use what we already have, rather than adding new expensive furniture and features. Simple inexpensive design tips are the best advice for any budding home decorator, as no expensive decor can impersonate that true homely feel.

To begin with, look at the existing features of your house such as, its architectural design, its building materials, and the direction it is facing. The amount of natural light entering each room should influence the way you decide to decorate. For example, north facing rooms often look cold and dull, as they get very little sunlight. Add warmth to such rooms by decorating with brightly, coloured furnishings and paint walls with warm hues such as yellows, oranges and reds.

South facing rooms are usually well-lit and can be successfully decorated in deeper colours. Making the most of natural light also achieves a sense of space. Expand this feeling of spaciousness by moving furniture and clearing out some of that unwanted clutter. Weed-out objects and possessions horded for years, opening up previously under used space.

Our homes are often full of architectural features, such as coving, hidden fireplaces or even a stone floor. Benefit from these finds and if possible make them the focal point of the room, adding character to the home. Display ceramic vases along the mantelpiece and lay a woollen rug on an otherwise cold, stone floor.

Add charm to the home by considering the colour scheme of every room. Make sure colours used have a 'feel good' factor and a shade that everyone can live with. Use colours that express your personality. Choose uplifting colours such as vivid greens, yellows and oranges or mellow colours such as chocolate brown and nutmeg. Use intense colours such as red or black as an accent, while using white and creams in any amount. Complement this colour scheme with good lighting. Replace worn out lampshades with new ones and brighten dark corners with up lighters or a standing lamp. Create the perfect ambience by combining general lighting with feature or accent lighting and task lighting.

Save pennies by focussing on existing furniture. Customise plain furniture with cheerful fabrics and unusual trimmings, swath armchairs and sofas with cotton throws, and reinvent cupboards with a lick of paint. If there's no hope with existing furniture; charity shops, flea markets, auctions and antique shops are brilliant hunting grounds for every type of furniture. A battered chair from the local junk shop can easily be transformed to an elegant accessory with fancy fabrics. Sprucing up old furniture is not only cost effective but also personally satisfying.

Before throwing away rubbish, consider how it could be used in the home. Olive oil often comes in sleek-looking glass bottles. Their narrow necks are perfect for holding the delicate stem of a flower. Hold on to boxes as well. Covered with brightly, coloured paper they become a handy storage solution.

Finally give the home a truly welcoming feel by filling it with cut flowers and lush plants. Plant a herb garden either in a window box or in the garden and let the aromas of rosemary and lavender waft through. Alternatively burn essential oils, heated by a night-light underneath, creating a relaxed ambience.

Make a start. Plan ahead and see how your home can be transformed on a budget.

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