However, if you have an electric car and an electric vehicle charging point in your drive or garage, you could make thousands over the year by renting it out to other EV owners. There can be many miles between charging stations, many of them don’t work and if they do you have to have the right app to use them. It’s going to be quite a project!Īnyone I know who has an electric car, or has hired one, complains bitterly about how difficult it is to charge it. ‘Often, once we have removed the clutter it’s easier to see how to create a room that we will love to be in.’Īfter the builders have put down the floors and sorted the kitchen, my next job will definitely be to chuck the clutter. If the answer is no, then it needs to go. If you’re struggling to decide what items should stay or go, think about whether they conjure up a happy memory. Catharina Bjorkman, Scandi interiors expert at Contura stoves, says: ‘In order to create a space that promotes wellbeing, you must first declutter it. Wallpaper is also a great way to update furniture, it can be used to line drawers or even to decoupage furniture to create a totally new look.’Īnd don’t underestimate the power of a good clear-out. If you do use wallpaper and have some left over, use the off-cuts creatively too, suggests Danielle Bayliss from flooring specialists Tapi, who says: ‘Add wallpaper into panelling to create pops of colour and pattern on your walls. You can go for wallpaper or a more expensive paint because you only need a smaller amount.’ ‘Keep walls plain, but accessorise with colourful cushions and a rug.Īlso, if money is tight, just splash out on one feature wall. They can even mix bespoke colours.’Įmily Ratcliff has suggestions on how to be more creative with colour on a budget. They look at it all, grade it and remix it so you can buy from them at a fraction of the cost. She explains: ‘They make use of paint that would otherwise be taken to the recycling centre or dumped in landfill. She also recommends the Seagulls charity in Yorkshire () which recycles paint. If you do use wallpaper and have some left over, use the off-cuts creatively too ‘Often the kitchen units they have are not even that old and they are removed very carefully from the previous property.’ ‘They’re good at recycling and refreshing and repurposing,’ she says. Linda Barker is also a fan of re-sale site Rehome (.uk) for cheaper kitchens. The last time I went to one they had a set of lovely oak dining chairs that went for just £10 each - and that was in London. If you have the time, it’s well worth attending a few sales at your local auction house to see what you can pick up and, possibly, upcycle. ‘You could also get creative and reupholster an old chair with a fun patterned fabric to create a statement piece.’Īctually, speaking of old furniture, you’ll remember I’ve mentioned auction houses in the past, and the amazing bargains to be had. ‘You can easily sand down and paint an old bookshelf or dresser in a trendy colour like navy blue or emerald green,’ she suggests. Jamie Robinson, interior designer with Value Doors, agrees. ‘There are videos on YouTube that show you how to do it.’ ‘Go to charity shops and find cheap items there that you can upholster yourself,’ she says. Their website has a section that shows you how to create a ‘mood board’ for a room.ĭesigners Guild consultant Emily Ratcliff has some thirfty tips on pepping up a room on a budget. I’m a big fan of colour so I’ve also been looking at Designers Guild, which specialises in fabrics in bold designs (). She also recommends looking for discounts on soft furnishings now, as retailers often drop prices on these products in the summer to boost sales as demand is higher in the winter. ‘Look at page two and page three as there are often good deals to be had.’ She also advises to not just click on the first few results that come up on Google. Go for ex-display furniture where you can.’ ‘The computer is your best friend,’ she says. Happily, I’ve managed to get some tips from some interiors specialists, such as TV’s Linda Barker, who has her own range of curtains and bedlinen with Terrys Fabrics. Don’t underestimate the power of a good clear-out
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