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Styling your home is a great way to make the most of your surroundings. While it may feel challenging to create the home of your dreams with limited resources, the key is to embrace your creativity and focus on pieces you already have or can gather on a budget.

Start with What You Have

Before you shop, evaluate what you already own. Existing furniture, accessories, and even décor items that feel outdated can often be transformed with a bit of effort.

Dennis Family Homes Colour Showroom Manager, Tamara de Graaff recommends embracing soft furnishings when styling on a budget. “You can always bring a living space to life with cushions and throws as a quick and cost-effective way to add a new colour to your room,” she says. “Always purchase quality cushion inserts where you can and rotate cushion covers depending on the colours and fabrics of the season.”

Pay special attention to décor, like artwork pieces, that can be relocated for a quick refresh. “Oversized pieces add wow factor to any entry, hallway or living space,” Tamara says. “Select art pieces that speak to you and have character – this makes the space feel truly your own.” Enhance any space by repositioning mirrors to reflect natural light. Placing a mirror opposite a window will make your room feel larger and more inviting.

Take inspiration from Dennis Family Homes’ new Smiths Lane display, the Riverton 41, opening Saturday 12th October2024.

This Inspirations Series home is designed for families, with key amenities and entertaining space. Enter the Riverton 41 into the first of four living spaces, adjoining a dedicated study or work-from-home space. The central family hub, including a meals area, family room, leisure room, and wide alfresco, is ideal for hosting birthday parties, barbecues, or dinners with loved ones. The large kitchen features the addition of a deluxe butlers pantry, ensuring ample space for organisation and styling. 

The three bedrooms at the rear upstairs, share a large retreat and family bathroom with a double vanity and bath. With walk-in robes in every bedroom, the Riverton 415 is packed with storage. The master suite features a long walk-robe, sitting area, front balcony access and double vanity ensuite. A laundry chute makes weekly chores a breeze, and the downstairs laundry features ample storage and bench space.

You can visit the Riverton 41 at the brand new Smiths Lane display from 12th September 2024 at Babcock Street, Clyde North VIC 3978.

Shop Second-Hand

If you need new pieces, shopping second-hand is a great way to stay within budget while finding unique items.

Thrift stores, online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace, Gumtree, and eBay, and charity shops such as Salvos and Sacred Heart are great places to look for preloved furniture and décor. Approach second-hand shopping with an open mind and imagination. Even if a piece doesn’t immediately fit your style, consider how it could be transformed.

When searching for décor, Tamara highlights thrifting books, particularly coffee table books to complete any room. “Coffee table books are great for styling and can be moved around the home every time you do a refresh.” Sanding, staining, or painting can breathe new life into second-hand furniture, and only requires a small investment of your time.

Purchasing and customising thrifted pieces will not only save you money but will also add a personal touch to your home that brand-new store-bought items can’t replicate.

Go Green with Decor

Plants are a wonderful and affordable way to refresh your space, adding colour, and vibrancy. They are also highly versatile as décor elements.

Choose plants that match the conditions of the space where they’ll live. Tamara recommends natural foliage as an option too, including “eucalypts, citrus fruit branches or potted olive trees”. “Plants are an inexpensive way to bring that oversized wow factor to any space,” she says. Head to your garden first to find greenery for free. Alternatively, you can find great plants at local nurseries, Bunnings Warehouse, or independent plant shops.

“You can purchase inexpensive vases or vessels and regularly rotate the seasonal greenery from your garden for a fresh arrangement on your kitchen bench and in your home,” says Tamara. Great pots can be found for a bargain at major department stores, like Kmart, Target, Big W, or online at Amazon and other marketplace websites.

Home is your sanctuary, styled your way

With today’s cost of living, we’re all limited to a budget, but we all want to have a beautifully styled home that doesn’t break the bank. Great bargains and design hacks are available no matter your lifestyle or design preferences.

There are many ways to celebrate a new season, whether it’s refurnishing your alfresco to make the most of the weather or adding fresh patterns to your wall.

Build a home that’s perfectly suited to your lifestyle with Dennis Family Homes.

Since 1982, we have been working with families of all shapes and sizes to create a space that truly feels like home, reflecting unique needs and aspirations.

Contact the Dennis Family Homes team today to start building your dream home.

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