Moving into your first home is super exciting. It’s when you first get to fully experience independence and adulthood. However, most young people starting out aren’t exactly flush. And on top of this kitting out a new home is never going to be cheap.

So how can you create a space you love and snag all of the things you need on a budget? Here are a few ideas!

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The key to creating a living room that works for the whole family is to formulate a smart plan that meets everyone’s needs. In some ways, it’s easier to describe what this doesn’t mean.

For example, it doesn’t mean allowing your kids’ toys to litter the living room floor so that adults are constantly stepping over or around them. It doesn’t mean filling the room with favourite precious ornaments that are just asking to be knocked over and shattered by a passing child And it doesn’t mean allowing your television or a noisy gaming machine to dominate the space completely so no-one can hear themselves think.

Once you start to consider such things it becomes obvious that an ideal living room is one which has zones to suit your family members so that everyone can comfortably co-exist.

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As you all know we’ve been redecorating our house a lot recently. Every room now looks bright and inviting thanks to a fresh lick of paint on the walls.

Walls are one of the first (if not, the first) things that you and guests to your home notice when walking into a room. Walls play a key role when it comes to your home décor, there’s no denying that. They can act as a simple and neutral background to statement furniture, complementing your overall design. On the other hand, many people like their walls to stand out. Feature walls that place themselves at the centre of attention are a favoured choice in many homes. However, ugly or dated wall designs can completely throw your interior design into disequilibrium. You need to make sure they’re not dragging the rest of the room down. If you’re looking to give your walls a new lease of life, here’s some ideas to get you started.

Textured Wallpaper

Sometimes, plain and two-dimensional wallpaper just doesn’t cut it. Textured wallpaper adds character to interior design that isn’t found with regular designs. Patterns can range from simple straight lines, to complex designs that show incredibly detailed patterns. Traditionally-styled, and possibly older homes, would benefit more from the more detailed look, whereas modern décors look stunning with a simple design. Let the textures do the talking if you prefer a more contemporary look! If you’ve got any unsightly bumps or imperfections in your wall, textured wallpaper is also great for covering them up. Use it on every wall or on one particular wall you’d like to stand out. The choice is yours depending on how much you love your new wallpaper choice! Personally I’d love a feature wall with brick tiles! 

Chalkboard Wall

Admittedly, this is something that’s better suited to family homes. And whilst it’s not exactly most people idea of desirable design, it can be very handy. If your kitchen is the hub of your home, then a wall you can write on does have its practical uses. Write the family’s chores list on there, write reminders, create a schedule – I could go on. Plus, it can be a good place to doodle and show off your little ones’ creativity! With this being said, it’s best that this is used sparingly, and only on one wall. This prevents it looking messy and creating too dark of a look in your kitchen. You can either purchase some chalk wallpaper, or go for some chalkboard paint instead; both create the desired look and offer the same practicality.

Wall Map

There’s no doubt that this is a great talking point for visitors. It acts as a bit of fun, which looks great in more casual settings. Think a children’s play room or a snug. You can hang a large regular map, or look into vinyl map stickers which come in a range of colours. Mark everywhere that you’ve been, and continue to do so when you head off on new adventures. Because it’s available in a range of colours, you can also blend it into your existing décor. You could also have a full map professionally painted if your budget allows, which is more permanent and is less likely to get damaged, it does, of course, depend on your budget.

Wooden Feature Wall

This is done by laying wood planks across the wall, similar to how it would work on the floor. Creating a feature wall out of wood is a great option for a number of reasons. Aesthetically, the wood adds elegance and can make a room appear wider or longer, depending on the way you lay the planks. If you’ve already got wood flooring, then laying your wall planks in the same direction as your flooring helps to create a sense of continuity throughout the room. In terms of practicality, it gives added durability and is perfect for hiding imperfections on your existing wall. Depending on budget, you can either go for real wood or a more cost-effective laminate flooring, which will still provide the same style at a fraction of the price.

~A~

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