10 steps to - Cutting the cost of your renovation
Real Homes|May 2023
Revamping a living room, dining space or bedroom? Find out how to do it for less and get the most from your budget
10 steps to - Cutting the cost of your renovation

1 Maximise space

Putting up shelves is a good place to start if you are keen to do more DIY. It has the potential to optimise space in a living or dining area, and tackling it yourself can save the cost of getting someone in or of buying new storage furniture. Look for suitable places to fit your shelving – in an alcove or above existing pieces, like a radiator. And don’t let it fade into the background as a supporting feature for books or artwork – finish in a bright paint shade to make it pop.

2 Cover star

For a fresh, contemporary look, say goodbye to matching furniture and team a statement chair with your sofa. But it doesn’t need to be a brand new buy. To cut costs, welcome a family hand-me-down or go shopping for a secondhand chair – often these pieces were beautifully constructed and made to last. Then swap the old upholstery for a different fabric and let a pro cover your seating, turning it into a focal point piece. Or you could save more, and gain a skill, by having a go at reupholstering it yourself.

Top tip
Lighting makes up 11 per cent of UK household electricity consumption, according to the Energy Saving Trust, so fit cheap-to-run LED lights.

3 Floor show

Carpet is an economical way to add a whole new level of luxury to a living space or bedroom lacking softness and comfort. Let yourself fall for a patterned version that draws the eye as well as being warm and yielding underfoot. Today's carpet patterns are a world away from the 1970s swirls that might spring to mind, and achieve maximum style points. Choose between sophisticated stripes and geometrics, or pick gentle curvaceous lines to create a wonderfully relaxing atmosphere.

This story is from the May 2023 edition of Real Homes.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the May 2023 edition of Real Homes.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM REAL HOMESView All
Side-return extensions
Real Homes

Side-return extensions

An efficient use of redundant outside space, extending to the side is the mart way to gain the extra room you crave and transform the way you live

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023
Spa-style bathrooms
Real Homes

Spa-style bathrooms

Prioritise self-care and put pampering on your daily schedule by taking bathroom design inspo from your favourite spa

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023
Light & bright
Real Homes

Light & bright

Rachel's main requirements for her kitchen extension were a window overlooking the garden and space to entertain. We reveal how she made her dream a reality

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Colourful kitchens
Real Homes

Colourful kitchens

Let your personality shine with a style that makes you smile from that morning cuppa to dinner time. Don't be shy, go for bold

time-read
2 mins  |
August 2023
In the zone
Real Homes

In the zone

Using clever design and planting, Pauline has transformed a blank canvas into an elegant, contemporary garden complete with social spaces, a cutting patch and a pond

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Heart of the home
Real Homes

Heart of the home

Faced with three living spaces and a tiny kitchen, Jo and Chris have devised a clever, broken-plan layout where the kitchen takes centre stage

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
Pre-loved treasures
Real Homes

Pre-loved treasures

Deborah has filled her south London home with character without breaking the bank, thanks to her smart shopping know-how and eye for a bargain

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
A new leaf
Real Homes

A new leaf

Dani Sandels embraced her passion for botanics and natural textures in the renovation of her family home, resulting in a space that delights the eye at every turn

time-read
3 mins  |
August 2023
A learning experience
Real Homes

A learning experience

Steph and James honed their home-improvement skills as they updated their old house and overgrown garden with help from family and friends -

time-read
4 mins  |
August 2023
SAGE GREEN
Real Homes

SAGE GREEN

A calm, tranquil and fresh hue, our colour guru, Amelia, shares why you can't go far wrong with this nearly neutral

time-read
1 min  |
August 2023