How to make your house into your home without spending a lot

Turning the house or apartment you live in into a cosy home isn’t a daunting or difficult task. There are many simple and inexpensive ways to do this, all it requires is some creativity and planning.

Maybe you’ve just moved into your first home as an adult, maybe you’re one of those people who moves around a lot for work, maybe you just feel like ‘adulting’ now. Whatever the reason, you’re looking to make the place you are living in homely, comfy and yours, rather than just a space you live in. There are so many ways you can do it without spending much money or getting into extensive redecoration, renovation, hiring of an interior decorator or landscaper. Here are some suggestions to help turn your house into a home.

1. Start with a deep cleaning/spring clean

Whether you have a multi room mansion or a small apartment, the first step to getting it ready to be your home and personalised space, is to do a spring cleaning. Get rid of rubbish that has accumulated over time or been left behind by previous occupants and start fresh.

Whether it is a worn out rug, threadbare furnishings or broken furniture, get rid of it, and don’t always replace – plan and make do with less. Invest in fewer, but higher quality pieces.

2. Paint a wall

A simple and easy way to give your place a personalised and fresh look is to paint. If the walls are either a drab colour or in need of a refresh, get some colours you like and devote a weekend to painting. You can even turn it into a paint party by inviting friends over to help! If the walls are recently painted but a colour you don’t like, then one solution is to paint just one wall a bright colour as an accent wall.

3. Invest in cushions and small rugs

Another way to give your living room or bedroom a personal touch and also make it seem homey and comfortable is through the addition of cushions, throw pillows and an accent rug or two. You can even go in for a full linens refresh by buying a new comforter or bedspread or playing mix and match with what you already have in your linen closet. A couple of new pillow cases or a new cushion cover with a rich, vibrant print can also be a way to redecorate without putting a big hole in your pocket. These are small investments that can really refresh and brighten up the room, and also is a great way to showcase your personal style.

4. Move things around

Whether it is rearranging all the furniture in your living room or moving your bed to a different corner of the bedroom, just a simple placement change of furniture can completely change the look and feel of your space, making it more personal, comfortable and homely. Got some pretty or interesting looking cups and china that are hidden away in a bottom drawer? Display them on a wall and you’ll give your home that hipster retro look without having to invest much.

5. Hang things up

A mirror, mural, painting or even painting right on a wall – all of these are creative ways to make your house your own and give it a feeling of home. Same thing applies to putting up family photographs or pictures you took on a holiday.

6. Get new fixtures

Just a couple new light fixtures can completely change the look and feel of your living room. These don’t have to be expensive, just something to your taste that will reflect your design aesthetic. And for those who might find the lighting in their house or apartment too bright/too dim/too jarring for whatever reason, changing the bulbs or adding a lamp (and what can be more refreshing of a space than a new lampshade?) in a corner or at your bedside will be just the ticket.

7. Create a nature corner

Depending on whether you want a house filled with greenery or just a couple of plants, nothing quite makes a house a home like some plants. It can be flowers, succulents or even mini trees – and you can have them lining every window sill or against corners in rooms, in attractive arrangements.

8. Create a cosy nook

Nothing is more reassuring or relaxing than a little nook where you can read, listen to music, nap or just daydream in your downtime. Create a space like this either in a window seat, on the floor, or using a chair with a little cordoned off feel, so you can head there whenever needed. Some throw pillows, a blanket, a plant or two, and maybe a scented candle – and you’re good to go. 

While sprucing up your home take the time to ensure you have the right level of home insurance. State Insurance offer two levels of cover:

Home Comprehensive – Full cover for your home up to the amount you choose to insure it for. Cover for all sorts of unwanted surprises such as broken locks and windows. You’re also covered for temporary accommodation up to $20,000 if damage makes your home unliveable, and hidden gradual damage up to $2,500 a year. More info.

Home Essentials – Just want cover for the essentials? If your home is damaged by certain events, you’ll be covered up to present value or the amount you insured your home for (whichever is less). More info.