Whether you rent a studio apartment or own your own home, you most likely want it to feel like a natural extension of who you are. Of course, there is much more to it than just making the place look nice; you will also want to maximize the useful square footage you have available. Too many people will prioritize either form or function to the detriment of the other and end up in a beautiful place that isn’t practical or vice versa. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to transform a room into one that serves its purpose without sacrificing aesthetics. This article will take you through a select few tips and walk you through the process of creating a home that is as usable as it is beautiful.

Check For Any Cracks Or Openings That Could Let The Elements In

We begin with a purely functional tip but for a good reason. Before you can even consider the stylish aspects of a home renovation, you need to make sure that the space is completely sealed off from the outside. After all, there is no point putting in the time and effort for painting and redecorating if there are gaps in your windows and walls that let in moisture, etc. However, there is another, more practical reason why you might want to spend some time checking all the nooks and crannies in your house…pests. 

As anyone who has ever had an infestation of some form of creepy crawlies will tell you, it’s not much fun! According to this pest control in Preston, infestations range from standard files to rodents, which, aside from being disgusting, can host a range of nasty bacteria and viruses that you absolutely do not want in your house. If you want to save money, you can do this by yourself. However, if you’re serious about long-term protection, it’s prudent to enlist the help of a professional company to go through your home with a fine-tooth comb and do what’s necessary to keep the outside world from entering the inside.

Update Your Furniture By Heading Down To Thirst Stores

If you need new furniture but are worried about the costs involved, a trip to your local thrift store could be the perfect solution. Not only will you save a significant chunk of change compared to buying new, but you could end up discovering a gem hidden among the other stuff! Many thirst stores in larger urban areas are chocked full of exciting, engaging, and eclectic items that you would never be able to find or replicate if you immediately jumped on to Amazon. There are some things you may want to buy brand new, but there are plenty of other items, such as wardrobes, cabinets, tables, etc., that can do the job for a fraction of the cost and still look fabulous.

Wait Until Special Events To Buy New Home Accessories

Although thrift shops are lovely and should be a part of your regular shopping routine, there are some things you simply want to buy brand new, have delivered the next day, or cannot find elsewhere. It is times like these that make online retailers like Amazon and the like so useful. However, the problem is that despite their low-cost appearance, you will not find many sales. That is, of course, unless you wait for the various special events they host throughout the year. This might be Black Friday, Prime Day, or almost all public holidays when these online stores offer steep discounts on a vast range of products., If you aren’t in too much of a hurry, you could save a large amount of money by simply waiting until these events roll around.

DIY Your Decor

There is no substitute for hiring the pros, but in these challenging economic times, you have to do what you can to save money. Consequently, one task you can do yourself without sacrificing too much in terms of quality is repainting your walls. All you need to do is invest in the paint, paintbrushes, and a few other ancillary items, and away you go! Just be aware that painting isn’t as simple as you first believe, so it might be a good idea to watch a few online tutorials before you pick up the brush.

Invest In Multipurpose Furniture That Is Practical And Will Conserve Space

When you think of practical, multipurpose furniture, the word “futon” probably pops to mind. While this is perhaps the best example of the category, there are plenty of their items that fit the bill. This might be beds that fold way, tables that you can hide away by sliding them into something else, or any number of interesting things. The idea is to look around your home and find the places you want t to save and increase the usable space. Once you know, you can begin thinking about what types of furniture might do this job. For example, you might want to combine a home office with a spare bedroom. If that’s the case, you should consider ways to make use of or hide the items you don’t need when they’re not in use.

Adding Some Greenery Is An Affordable Method Of Opening Up Space

If you want an affordable but highly effective way of transforming any area into an inviting one, investing in a range of fauna could be your ticket to style town. Nonetheless, always remember that you need to look after your plants and select those that are best suited for indoor use. Selecting high-maintenance plants will result in their premature demise, turning an otherwise lovely space into a desolate wasteland…somewhat counter to your original plan!

Add More Mirrors To Give The Illusion Of More Room

Mirrors have been used for centuries not simply to provide a place to admire yourself but also to increase the light and atmosphere of space in a given area. Moreover, paired with a gorgeous frame, you can even turn them into the focal point of a room, further enhancing its utility.

There is a myriad of things you can do to turn an extraordinarily dull space into one that you are proud of. Moreover, you needn’t spend a fortune in the process if you are smart about the way you purchase stuff.