Decorating: Restyle your Bedroom on a Shoestring

Wake up your sleep space with these clever, inexpensive tips and tricks, guaranteed to freshen your bedroom fast

4 November 2014
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several books on design and numerous features for glossy homes mags over the years. For Houzz, I cover decorating ideas and trends and interview designers and professionals for their insights. My favourite pieces to write, though, are Houzz Tours, as I love exploring and learning about real homes. Call me curious — or nosy!
Houzz UK Contributor. I have been an interiors journalist since 1995, writing several... More
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It’s all too easy to become blind to our rooms’ faults. We see them every day, after all. But if, on close scrutiny, you find your bedroom could benefit from some restyling, or you simply fancy having fun tweaking its look, take heart. We have a selection of simple ideas and nifty styling tips that are both purse- and time-friendly. Try them, and see how updating your sleep space can be fun, fast and inexpensive.
Eclectic Bedroom by Amelia Hallsworth Photography
Amelia Hallsworth Photography
Have fun with fairy lights
A string of lights will only set you back a few pounds and can instantly improve the atmosphere of your bedroom. Wind a string around your headboard or stretch it along a shelf or mantelpiece for soft, warm light and pretty detail.
Eclectic Bedroom by Abigail Ahern
Abigail Ahern
Invest in fake flowers
Good-quality fake flowers may cost more than fresh, but their longevity makes them a great investment. Obviously, these flowers never die, so they bring a permanent dose of floral prettiness to your bedroom. In addition, just one or two sprigs are often all you need to create an attractive display, making the initial outlay affordable, too.
Eclectic Bedroom by rigby & mac
rigby & mac
Display jewellery
Think creatively about the items you store in your bedroom – could they also make an attractive display? Necklaces, for example, hung simply from hooks look beautiful and, by displaying them, you can enjoy them when not wearing them. This is free art, as well as a means to keep your jewellery ordered and easy to find!
Eclectic Bedroom by H is for Home
H is for Home
Source vintage blankets
Layering up your bed with colourful throws and blankets is a fast track to a fresh new feel, but when bought new, these textiles can be expensive. So instead, scour eBay or your local market for vintage throws, blankets and quilts. They deliver heaps of colour and character, but at a fraction of the price of shop-sourced designs.
Eclectic Bedroom by Erika Bierman Photography
Erika Bierman Photography
Upcycle a second-hand find
Painting an old chest of drawers can do much to lift its appearance and freshen it up. Even the most uninspiring furniture can look funky with an imaginative paint job, as here, and some new knobs. It’s an economical way to create a highly personal but super practical piece for your bedroom.

Find more upcycling ideas here
Shabby-chic Style Bedroom Shabby-chic Style Bedroom
Hang some bargain art
Second-hand markets are great places to rummage for inexpensive art. Old oil paintings, sketches and prints are often on sale for pennies. Alternatively, forget about the image and simply hang an empty frame for a quirky, easy artwork.

Also consider moving existing pictures and even swapping some from other rooms. Changing the arrangement and location of your art can do much to revive a space, and a familiar image hung in a new place can suddenly look fresh and exciting.
Eclectic Bedroom by Lauren Bryan Knight
Lauren Bryan Knight
Repurpose pieces
When it comes to a quick furniture update, think laterally. You may find the best bargains lie anywhere but the bedroom department of a homes store. This neat bedside table, for instance, is actually a small drawer unit for a home office. No matter – its slim shape and handy drawers make it the perfect, affordable solution for this small bedroom.
Eclectic Bedroom by Karolina Barnes
Karolina Barnes
Scatter over some cushions
A few cushions can instantly change the feel of a bedroom, injecting colour and pattern and, when arranged neatly on a bed, giving the space a boutique hotel feel. They don’t have to cost a fortune and there’s a huge of choice of designs, patterns, colours and sizes available. If you’re handy with a sewing machine, why not make your own covers using fabric offcuts or vintage material?
Eclectic Bedroom by Amberth
Amberth
Paint some off-the-scale colour
The price of a tin of emulsion and a few hours or your time are all it takes to radically change the atmosphere of your bedroom. Choose a bold colour or just a subtle shift in depth (dark grey instead of your existing light grey, perhaps), but make sure it will work with your furniture and bedding, to avoid any further expense.

See more brilliant ideas for using yellow
Eclectic Hallway & Landing by Rossana Novella
Rossana Novella
Brighten up the lighting
This perfectly simple lamp base takes on a funky new look when topped with an oversized shade. Find inexpensive bases at large DIY stores, and then scour markets or online auctions for a decorative shade that will bring heaps of personality for hardly any money.

TELL US…
Share your snaps of budget bedroom updates in the Comments below.
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dooenmabest
An affordable option to fake flowers is to put plant cuttings in a vase of water. If you choose the right plants, they can sprout roots and last for months. I must admit I've been through a 'fake gerbera phase' years ago. They did add a nice splash of colour to a very grey kitchen. LOL :)
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Jo Simmons
Interesting fake flower debate - thanks both! I haven't gone for them yet, but really think the quality of fake flowers has come up in recent years and they have become rather chic. Abigail Ahern now has a range of fake flowers which, from her website at least, look amazing. I'm tempted to go down the hydrangea route... But do see what you mean wuff about dust - I can imagine that is an issue. Thanks for your comments.
   
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tlc1819
I have top quality fake tulips and they are great. Haven't gathered dust at all not sure if it's the silicon-like stuff they are made from rather than the cheap material ones.
   

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