Living room mini makeover

We’ve been planning some structural changes to our living room for quite some time now (since we moved in five years ago). But like with all our plans, there was never a set date for this to happen (still isn’t, although I like to think it is going to be this year). Obviously I wouldn’t be myself if I haven’t changed few bits along the way. OK, quite a few bits… As a result the living room has got a mini makeover. It may seem like a waste of time and money, but as much as I can live in an unfinished house, I can’t live in a house that doesn’t reflect my style. And when it comes to money… well, let’s say it was a mini makeover on a mini budget!

So, if you’ve been thinking about updating your living room but you’re afraid of the cost that comes with it. Or if you’re planning some bigger changes to your house, but you don’t know when that is going to happen. Or if you simply hate your living room so much that you only use it to dry your cloths and you even quit watching your favourite TV series, then give your living room a mini makeover!

If you still need more convincing, here are the before and after photos of the living room and the total cost. You’ll be surprised how the room can be transformed with colour and just few cushions. Even if you’re working with a very modest budget!

Before

There wasn’t anything wrong with the room before but it was rather boring. The fireplace dominated the whole room and all the furniture were pushed against the walls. Once loved country-style, kind of lost its appeal.

And now the room has more colours and more texture thanks to new cushions, rugs and blankets.

After

But actually it all started from the fire-place. And that’s where the money was made, not spent as the old fire sorround was sold on Ebay for £25. That was enough to cover the cost of the paint. So if you have to replace something or buy something new, rather than throwing old pieces away sell them on auction sites. As a result you make money towards new accessories for the room.

Before

After

There will be an electric stove in that hole one day, but for now it looks just fine with candles and fairy lights.

You should never rush into buying things because you will only end up paying more or buying something you don’t really like. So consider your options and your budget wisely, especially with items that you need to save a little bit for.

The whole room was painted with B&Q Premium Matt Emulsion in Fog and the fireplace was painted with white paint that was left from a different project.

Finally when all the major work was done, all that was left to do was to add some accessories. As most of the furniture stayed the same, it was quite important to throw something new here and there. But new doesn’t have to mean new. It can be new to the room, brought from somewhere else or bought at the charity shop or car boot sale.

This rattan chair was en Ebay find and the chest of drawers and the vase brought from a local charity shop.

Some new cushions and throws were added to the room as well as a rug that was found at the Ikea Bargain Corner (how not to love Ikea!). The lamps are also from Ikea but you need a second source of lighting as these are more decorative rather than your main lights.

The lamp base was another charity shop find and the lampshade is from Dunelm sale.

It was not a weekend makeover and it took good few months for the room to evolve. But as a result of not rushing with decorating decisions it was not only a mini makeover but on a mini budget as well!

So here’s a cost breakdown and a total spent for this living room makeover:

• Wall paint B&Q – £24
• Rattan chair  Ebay – £30 (this found was raised by selling an old armchair)
• Chest of drawers – charity shop £30
• Ikea rug – £25 – discontinued
• Canvas B&M – £9.99
• Lamp base – charity shop – £3
• Lampshade Dunelm – £10
• Three decorative bulbs Ikea – £30
• Vase – charity shop £4
• Pink throw – TK Maxx – £14
• Pink cushion Matalan – £6
• Collection of cushion covers from H&M sale – £11 (for thee)
• Artificial sheep skin rug Ikea – £10
• Candles Ikea sale £1 for two
• + £25 for the fire surround

Total £153

The rest was already in the room before the changes or came from different rooms around the house. This is probably the easiest and the most cost-effective way of adding something new to the room. You could even swap the entire room content for a fresh new look. Just make sure you leave the bed in the bedroom though, unless you fancy sleeping in the kitchen…

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