Nine savvy savings: decorating for less

If you want to give your home a unique style, but aren't prepared to pay a fortune, consider using these nine sneaky ways to give your home some personality without breaking the bank.

9. Customise the curtains

Add a bespoke twist to ready-made curtains by having a panel of luxury fabric added to the bottom.

While the most beautiful fabric designs can often be pricey, you can add a luxurious touch without blowing the budget by using them for smaller projects like cushions or adding a panel to readymade curtains. We love these William Morris designs - for details of your nearest stockist contact Furnishing Distributors Tel: 01 276 5811

8. Brighten up with flowers

Fresh flowers are an instant inexpensive pick me up to any room. Whenever you can, make sure to buy Irish grown flowers that are in season – they cost less and last longer.

7. Spend less on disposable items

Avoid splurging on things like wine glasses and dinnerware – breakages are inevitable, and you’ll be less gutted if you haven’t forked out a fortune.

6. Spend more on accessories

Offset cheaper pieces with more expensive ones. No one will suspect that a piece of furniture cost you next to nothing if you style it up with ritzy accessories. “It’s all about getting the right balance,” says Sketch Design’s Joanne Peat, “For example, buy an Ikea couch, but use some large Designers Guild cushions. Always have a luxurious edge to things and it will have the wow factor as opposed to naff factor! The more imaginative and eclectic, the better this will work.”

5. The fashion trap

“You shouldn't spend a fortune on high fashion home furnishings, whether it’s a quirky light fitting, a funky sideboard or bathroom accessories in a crazy colour” advises interior designer Lindsay Bertram, “They will date and you will tire of them! If you haven't spent too much on them you can update them and replace them when this happens.”

4. Unnecessary extravagance

Avoid splashing out on temporary things like extravagant candles: “I don't really understand the cult of the €50 candle,” says Sarah Mac Cann of No Fixed Abode, “Is a nice smell really worth that much?”

3. Mix it up

"A change is as good as a rest", says artist Elaine Prunty, “Changing furniture and pictures around costs nothing and it gives your space a fresh look. In my house we've even changed rooms - one of our bigger bedrooms became our sitting room for a while.” House & Home stylist Eleanor Harpur agrees: “Rotating your accessories is one of the most cost effective ways to update your home. For example, swap the soft furnishings from your bedroom into your living room, or simply rearrange lighting from one room to another.”

2.Bathroom brilliance

“In the bathroom, adding a new contemporary tap to your sink or bath can add luxury without breaking the bank,” advises Eleanor.

1. Invest in the artists of the future

Nothing adds depth and interest to an interior quite like original art, but gallery prices can be steep. Attend end of year exhibitions at art and design colleges to get first dibs on inexpensive artworks by art stars of the future.