JOIN USSo, you have bought your dream home, spending a fortune, overshooting your “budget”. Now how do you do-up your home with what little amount you have left, if at all? You need not fear. There is much and more you can do with what you have, because décor is flexible.
Put needs first
With all the inspiration you get from interior decoration magazines and the web, these days, it is not only easier to decorate your home yourself, but also to desire the fancy stuff on display. Yamini Agarwal, designer and owner, H5 Interior Design, says, “Make a list of requirements and devote a budget to every single item on the list. Then, divide them into wants and needs, and deal with the needs first. Skip as many loose furnishings and artefacts as you can for now. For example, revamping the old furniture with new
fabrics and polish can transform it completely into a piece you desire.”
It is very important to create a list of things that are absolutely necessary and items that can be put on hold for later. Ashish Shah, COO, Pepperfry.com, advises going DIY way, as it will help you keep within your budget. He suggests, “Be sure to factor in reasonable time for doing every room and make deadlines to keep yourself going. The one thing you may want to newly invest in is good furniture, as it is a long-time investment and its quality matters above all else; buy furniture in neutral colours so that they match with walls of any colour. Most other items can usually be reused, and if you must buy new décor items, try and mix them up with some of the old stuff so that you don’t
overshoot your budget.”
Shop at home
You may want to transform your living space entirely in one go. However, it is not important to do everything at once.
Remember that home décor should not be a rushed job. It pays to be patient as it is going to be a reflection of you, and therefore, needs to be handled with care. Go about it step-by-step, piece-by-piece, and analyse and rework the priority list, if required. Many a time, we don’t need as many things as we think we do.
Says Radeesh Shetty, founder, The Purple Turtles, “To make your project more affordable and manageable, decide what elements will work in your room, and then, check for availability of those items at home first. If nothing similar is available, then, you may want to compare the prices in the market. Shop at home before the market; more often than not, you may already have what you need.”
Organise well
No one wants to find themselves in a situation where they’ve found the perfect couch, only to discover that they don’t have enough money in their account or that the non-refundable corner cabinet they’ve ordered online won’t fit into the space. So, organise well and take into account any associated costs, like hiring handymen.
Tara Khan, creative director, LBOF - A Little Bit Of Fabulous, advises breaking the project down into its components – flooring, furniture, paint, accessories and décor. She explains, “Once you’ve broken it all down, give each component a number, and stick to the order. Once you know how much money you can afford and what items you already have and can put to use, find your design inspiration to suit those things rather than the other way round. You can refer to magazines and the Internet to figure out what style you would like to emulate, and then you can go ahead with your house decorating
project.”
Be smart
You may take a loan to buy a house, but it doesn’t make economic sense to take a loan for home decoration. These are high-interest loans and do not really make sense availing, because home décor is not an appreciating asset. Also, avoid using your credit card for home décor; it can turn out to be a very expensive proposition.
A spokesperson from Omkar Realtors and Developers suggests using paint or texture paint as an alternative to wall-panelling, going the second-hand route for fancy décor accessories, avoiding false ceiling and opting for decorative lamps instead. “Compare rates online and wait for major discount sales to pick items that aren’t absolutely necessary,” he suggests.
For people who are often on the move, Ramesh Nambiar, co-founder & MD, Nambiar Builders, recommends getting furniture on rent. “Home furniture is available on rent, nowadays. This suits those people who migrate to cities for a small period of time. Instead of buying furniture, especially if you’re on a short-term project, hiring furniture would be a wise move,” he says.
Quality matters
Do not cramp your style sensibilities over money. When you buy the bare essentials, you need to ensure that they are of good quality, as they are long-term keeps. So, spending even a bomb on furniture, wardrobe and desks makes sense. It’s the fru-fru items that you need to cut on.
Advises Divyan Gupta, CEO & founder, artanddecors.com, “Spend good money on quality products. One good décor product, like say, Murano glass art, or a marble statue, is worth ten different décor products. The quality of an exquisite décor product that speaks of your personality will always overshadow the quantity of other products that don’t.”
If you want to buy furniture online, but are unsure if the quality will be good or not, pick trustworthy websites that offer a refund and replacement on such products refundable or have the “try and buy” option.
Tips
* Don't exhaust your budget on expensive items that are “trendy”.
* Always sample the colour want to paint your room with.
* Start with the basics and then move to the aesthetic and décor pieces.
* Consider the uses and function of a room before planning the furnishings and arrangements.
* See if you can reuse or refurbish your present décor by changing the colour or varnish.
Ramesh Nambiar, co-founder and MD, Nambiar Builders, recommends getting furniture on rent. “Home furniture is available on rent, nowadays. This suits those people who migrate to cities for a small period of time. Instead of buying furniture, especially if you’re on a short-term project, hiring furniture would be a wise move,” he says.
Quality matters
Do not cramp your style sensibilities over money. When you buy the bare essentials, you need to ensure that they are of good quality, as they are long-term keeps. So, spending even a bomb on furniture, wardrobe and the like makes sense. It’s the
fru-fru items that you need to cut on.
Advises Divyan Gupta, CEO and founder, artanddecors.com, “Spend good money on quality products. One good décor product, like say, Murano glass art, or a marble statue, is worth ten different décor products. The quality of an exquisite décor product that speaks of your personality will always overshadow the quantity of other products that don’t.”
If you want to buy furniture online, but are unsure if the quality will be good, pick trustworthy websites that offer a refund and replacement on such products or have the “try and buy” option.
Tips
* Don't exhaust your budget on expensive items that are “trendy”.
* Always sample the colour you want to paint your room with.
*Start with the basics and then move to the aesthetic and décor pieces.
*Consider the uses and function of a room before planning the
furnishings and arrangements.
* See if you can reuse or refurbish your present décor by changing the colour or varnish.