6 Ways to Easily Update Your Space on a Low Budget

Refreshing your space can give your home a new perspective. This is an attractive alternative to undertaking an often expensive and time-consuming complete renovation, particularly if you’re a renter and restricted by alterations you can make.

Whether you’re decluttering your space, making easy home lighting adjustments, introducing wall art, or adding some biophilic energy into your design, we explore the best low-cost renovation ideas to update your space.

One of the easiest and instantly gratifying ways to refresh or update your space at little to no cost is to refresh or rearrange your furniture to create a more thoughtful layout. 

“Furnishing and decorating your space doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Taking the time and effort to find pieces from different sources will save you money [and] give your property character,” says property stylist Kylie Harding.  

“One of the simplest yet most effective ways to transform a room is by rearranging existing furniture. This gives your space a new look and can improve functionality without cost,” adds Brad Smith, CEO of Omni Home Ideas.  

“For instance, shifting a sofa closer to a window can maximise natural light, making the room feel larger and more welcoming.” 

When rearranging your furniture, also consider following some of the principles of interior design. These include accommodating balance, unity, rhythm, scale and proportion, contrast, emphasis, and details.

One of the most satisfying ways to update your space is to implement the ‘less is more’ approach. Decluttering your home and reclaiming valuable real estate space is a psychologically fulfilling activity that eliminates old and rarely used items that can weigh us down. Start by scanning the space from room to room, noting items you no longer use.

“After a decluttering session with our clients, we often hear, ‘We should have done this ages ago,’” continues Kylie.

“If you’re not ready to part with your items, consider boxing them away for a while — you’ll soon realise if you miss things.”

“Decluttering is more than just tidying up; it's about optimising your environment for peace and productivity,” continues Brad Smith.  

“Regularly removing items that no longer serve a purpose can dramatically change the feel of a space, promoting a minimalist aesthetic that feels both modern and spacious.” 

Biophilic design is about bringing natural-world elements into your home. Incorporating this as part of your home refreshment makes sense from an aesthetic and physical health perspective. If your home feels too sterile, embracing biophilic might help you connect more deeply with your environment.

Consider introducing green plants throughout your space, but tailor the plants you choose to suit the conditions to help them thrive.

“Integrating natural elements into your home doesn’t have to be expensive,” says Brad. 

“Consider incorporating inexpensive houseplants or creating a small herb garden on a windowsill to bring life into your home, enhance air quality, and add a touch of tranquillity.”

Updating your home lighting is another cheap and easy home upgrade that can bring a new perspective to your space. However, refreshing your lighting doesn’t always require buying new. If you have cool globes, consider alternating to a warmer shade to create a new ambience. Modern floor lamps and instantly customisable smart lights also work wonders when refreshing your lighting scheme.

“Updating lighting fixtures or adding varied light sources such as floor and table lamps can create a layered lighting effect that enhances the mood of any room,” says Brad. 

“Even simple, cost-effective LED lights can be used to highlight artwork or architectural features.”

Wall art is an excellent way to refresh your space. Its personable touch can also be a mood booster, inspiring creativity and sparking conversation.

For blank spaces you don’t know what to do with, like stairwells, high ceilings, or voids, consider creating a gallery with wall art or family portraits or concentrating on one large featured piece.

Art is a form of self-expression and is subjective to every individual. Make sure you choose the right piece for your space, as it can influence the atmosphere of an entire room and can help make you feel much more connected to your home. 

“I recommend that your quest for wall art begins on your phone,” continues Kylie. 

“Personal photos make fantastic, personalised art. Enlarge some, get them copied to black and white, and tie them all together using the same frames readily available from department stores at very reasonable prices.”

Adding a rug or throw is another effortless way to instantly refresh and personalise your space. Kylie says to consider buying the largest rug you can afford as it will help anchor the room it is placed in, but also to be mindful of practical considerations. 

“Remember to consider your lifestyle when choosing the composition of the rug — a household with young children and animals will need to be easy to clean,” she says. 

“Throws and cushions should be cuddled, squashed and used — they are more than just decorative. To achieve a cosy cushion look and feel, invest in a feather insert and then you can have some fun with the covers at different price points.” 

Kylie recommends buying off-season to better your chances of obtaining a bargain.

“Throws can be found at all price points these days. A machine washable throw will save money on dry cleaning bills [just] ensure you use it regularly and don’t keep it as purely decorative items.” 

Another way to refresh your space easily on a modest budget is by swapping out your existing cabinetry handles with something more contemporary. 

ABI Interiors offers a wide range of enriching cabinet handles in various finishes to bring a new look to your kitchen and utility room. 

So, there we have it — plenty of ways to easily refresh your space on a low budget. 

What are some other ways you have updated your home for less? Leave a comment in the section below!  

For more home refreshment advice, browse through the following blogs:

7 Dopamine Interior Design Tips to Create Joy at Home

How to Introduce Monochromatic Colour Schemes Throughout Your Home

Best Colour Combinations For Your Interiors 

How to Use Earthy Tones to Create a Cosy Home 

How to Add Texture to Your Home