When saving for your first home, the impact on your lifestyle can be considerable. Putting money aside for a deposit takes priority over fancy holidays, expensive cars and nice meals with friends.
There’s no shortage of sacrifices to be made – and it’s been like that for generations.
The challenge becomes more difficult if you’re renting, of course. It’s easy to believe you don’t really need to live in a pleasant home because it’s not yours, and you’ll be out of there soon.
Making a rental feel like your home can be a challenge when so many rules prevent you from making improvements, such as hanging pictures or repainting yellowing cream paint.
Let’s face it, it’s one of the reasons why you want a place of your own.
Here are some tips to brighten your living space while working hard to save for the downpayment that gets you out of the rent trap:
Floor art – If your lease prevents you from hanging pictures, then placing framed artworks on the floor and against the wall can work. Actually, it’s become pretty trendy. With the right artwork, this approach will definitely brighten your home.
Hanging kits – So long as you own relatively light artwork, you can use adhesive hanging kits that prevent the need to put holes in the wall. Watch for the danger of paint coming off the wall when you peel away the adhesive.
It’s curtains – Colourful curtains can feel a little 80s, but if you find the right pattern, they can be a real fashion statement – just as wallpaper murals of seascapes and jungle scenes are making a comeback.
Rug up – Flooring is the most underestimated facet of interior design. A colourful rug can transform a room. Don’t go too small. Buy the larger option. If you can, one edge should sit neatly under your couch as this will pull everything together neatly.
It’s potty – No Gen Z or Millennial needs to be convinced about pot plants. They’re the generations that love them the most, especially for the bathroom and bedrooms. A tall, tropical plant will bring colour and nature into your living space immediately.
Make a statement – A fabulous sofa or armchair will make a big statement. It doesn’t have to be colourful. Classy will do. Having a statement piece will make you feel good about your living area.
Light it up – Lamps are another undervalued item. A beautiful lamp will literally brighten the room, as well as add colour during the day time if it has a striking base and shade. They can be expensive, but you pay for what you get with lamps.
Throw rugs – It’s a tip as old as the hills, but placing colourful rugs over furniture will add something special. Be judicious, or it’ll look like you have a bunch of rugs that need to be put away.
Removable wallpaper – Peel and stick wallpaper exists but be super-careful. When the time comes to remove it, you want to be certain it won’t bring the wall paint with it. If that happens, fixing the damage will be beyond annoying.