This month, we look inside the home for some inspirational ideas to get rid of the winter blues and breathe new life into a room. Marylou , a décor consultant at Bali and Home Décor, showed us how to create simple changes in our favourite living spaces. The key to revamping on a budget is creating new looks with things you already have. Home décor is like fashion – what’s in one season is out the next. But if your budget puts the brakes on a complete décor overhaul, even small changes can make a big difference to every room in your house.


Moving your furniture?
The position of couches, beds, cupboards and dressers all affect what designers refer to as the flow of a room. Simply rethinking the arrangement of side tables in your living room, or the grouping of family photographs on your bedroom wall, can make a big difference to your perception of the space. You could even consider moving a piece of furniture from one room to another – your grandmother’s kist might be just the thing for storing towels in your bathroom.

Doing double duty?
If you’re after a feeling of space, ask yourself which pieces of your existing furniture could be roped in for double duty. A flat-topped kist could act as winter blanket storage and as a display table; pile cushions on top and it turns into handy occasional seating. Getting rid of unnecessary furniture can make you feel tons better about a room without spending a cent.

Adding colour?
Colour has an enormous impact on our perception of space and light. If you don’t want to commit to an entire room, painting even just one wall a striking colour that you love will make the world of difference. Soft furnishings in bold colours will help you leave your mark on the room without breaking the bank. Wallpaper is still having a moment, and you’re limited only by your own imagination in the type of materials with which you could cover your walls. Bamboo matting or beautiful lengths of fabric hung from cheap and easy to assemble rods mean colour and texture without the commitment.

Two Minute Fixes

• Display an old piece in a new way
• Hang a large, decorative mirror to make the most of light in small spaces
• Change your light bulbs – warm yellow for winter, and blue hues to cool your summers. Go for energy saving light bulbs to green up your living space
• Throw down a throw for an instant splash of colour in an otherwise neutral living room
• Scents inspire and invigorate your senses. Create change through smell by burning scented candles or aromatherapy oils. Good scents to lift the mood of a room include citrus, mint and pine scents. To create a romantic bedroom space invest in seductive sandalwood, jasmine, gardenia and rose.