Little tricks for big impact

Not many of us feel particularly flush at this time of year, however a lot of us do want to mark the new year by making changes to our home. So today I would like to share with you some creative, personal and practically free ideas for creating something new from not very much.

Create your own displays by merchandising objects that you have collected over the years. Add a few vintage find ornaments and new candles and stand back and admire. I like to group things in threes for maximum effect but the options are endless. I love this imaginative way of displaying photos by photographer Monica Rich Kosann from her book 'Living With What You Love'. 

Customise wooden chairs by re-painting them, tying funky bows around the backs of them or recovering seat pads with inexpensive fabric remnants.

This is a perfect example of how to add a funky bow, made by Done Over Girl, USA

Hang out in second hand shops, where you can bag bargains from house clearances. A bit of a clean and a lick of paint to an old side table will totally transform it.

Amazing what a clean, some Annie Sloan paint & some TLC can do!

Paint a selection of empty photo frames in a stand out colour, leave them empty and display them on an empty wall. The designs and styles you can create are endless and whatever creation you end up making will be entirely your own, creating impact and interest without the need for art or photographs - the frames themselves become the art.

A unique creation by Serge Van Lian for StyleWhipped

Instead of buying a new floor lamp, buy a second hand lamp base from a charity shop or car boot sale and add an inexpensive new lampshade. Why not get a custom made one to co-ordinate with the rest of your soft furnishings?

This June Song lampshade made by Quincy Lampshades is perfect for  making
over a second hand find

Get creative with chalkboard paint, not just in black but a wide number of colours (try Pebeo for a selection of colours, available on Amazon.co.uk). Paint your fridge door, tables, labels, backs of doors, plant pots... cut out shapes of mdf, paint them with chalkboard paint and hang them on the wall, you could even paint a whole wall. Once it’s dry you and the family can have fun drawing pictures and messages with chalk. Or for a more practical use check out this dresser below, I love it!

Dresser makeover by Elka Karl

Frame beautiful pieces of wrapping paper or page pull-outs from coffee table magazines and hang on the wall. Cheap, unique and if you get bored of it, simply change it! I have just fallen in love with the Paperchase Ava range, new for spring 2012. Frame the giftwrap, pile up the gift boxes (so pretty and so useful for storing bits and bobs), curl up on the sofa with the matching mug and write down your thoughts and dreams in the fabric notebook. My stationery obsession continues..! 

Graphic, funky bright birds and neutral grey...perfect for spring

Last but not least, treat yourself to some fresh flowers and display them in a vase. Gorgeous!

Quick, simple and inexpensive ideas to add a personal touch of style to your home...and Home Restyler has plenty more ideas, which I will keep on sharing with you. I hope you like them and that they give you inspiration and ideas for your home.


www.homerestyler.co.uk