House to haven without breaking the bank
The unpredictable British weather gives us the perfect excuse to do some little home styling projects around the house that will help make your home feel brand new!
You don’t need to spend a small fortune either. The main costs are your time and imagination – neither of which is a problem when your hard work helps turn your house into a haven.
1. Rearrange your furniture
Moving your furniture around is great way to make everything feel fresh and new, and make your chosen room feel entirely different. Whether you’re thinking practically or Feng Shui, you’ll be amazed at how much it feels like you’ve had the decorators in.
Start by choosing a focal point in your room and arrange your furniture around it. Features that may draw the eye are an existing fireplace or window and in some rooms, you might bring in your focal point, such as a TV in the living room. Arranging your furniture around these features will help to create lovely areas where you can chat and relax with your friends and family.
What you’ll need:
A vacuum
A duster and cleaning products
Some elbow grease (make sure you rope in some help for moving larger items)
2. Hang some printable wall art
Free printable art is the perfect wall decor for anywhere in your home. House to Haven’s on-trend leaf prints and homely messages will spruce up any room in your home. You don’t have to pay shipping fees, you can get almost any size, and it won’t cost you a penny. Minus printing and framing costs, of course... but you can’t beat a free art print!
I. Print your selected print in A4 (or any size you wish) on white paper or card with a colour printer.
II. Trim to size if needed.
III. Purchase a simple classic frame(s) to match your decor or upcycle frames you already have.
IV. Once printed, frame.
V. Hang and enjoy!
What you’ll need:
A colour printer* and paper or card
Picture frames
Picture hooks
A hammer
* No home printer? We love Printt who plant trees for the pages we use. Simply upload your file and get one black and white or colour A4 print to your door for just £1.60 or £1.75 (standard delivery).
3. Display your homeware
Whether you’re an avid collector or have the odd unique piece, it makes no sense to keep your lovely homeware hidden away behind closed cabinet doors and drawers.
i. Arrange decorative dishes, pitchers, chopping boards and vases on a serving tray, or in the corner
of the kitchen bench or shelf, to help bring your kitchen or dining room to life.
ii. Try using a vintage cake stand in your bathroom or bedroom to house your perfume bottles, or a
pretty teacup to keep your necklaces or earrings in.
iii. Instead of having various candle holders scattered through your home, gather them in one prominent place and display them all together on a serving tray.
iv. Proudly show off your favourite treasures by hanging items on hooks or a coat rack. Add a string of fairy lights for that special touch.
What you’ll need:
Lovely things from your cupboards or drawers
Fairy lights
Space on your sideboards, shelves, tables or hooks/coat rack
4. Bring the outside in
Creating displays of organic items will bring a calming sense of nature to you and your home. It’s also a great thing to get the kids involved in. Collect together faux flowers, greenery, branches, stones, pebbles or pinecones, whatever you can forage in your garden or local parks.
i. Placer flowers and branches in tall glass vases.
ii. Group stones or pinecones on platters, trays and in large glass bowls.
iii. Strategically position your new displays on your dining table, shelves or windowsills throughout your home
What you’ll need:
Any natural organic items you can forage
Vases, baskets, platters and/or bowls
5. Mirror Mirror on the wall
Mirrors are fabulous for enhancing a room’s natural lighting. Their reflection opens-up even the smallest of rooms to give a lovely sense of brightness and space. There’s no need to hang your large mirror. It can simply be leant against a wall or rested on a shelf for the perfect touch. Add one mirror, or three! You can’t go wrong.
Our handy hanging tip:
I. Grab a roll of masking tape.
II. Stick a piece across the back of your mirror between where the hooks/hanging string starts and finishes.
III. Gently remove the tape and stick the strip to the wall where you plan to hang your mirror.
IV. Drill your holes beside each end of the tape.
V. Hey presto – your hooks should be ready to go!
What you’ll need:
A mirror or mirrors
Hanging hooks, masking tape and a hammer (if hanging on a wall)
6. Dust off and display those old photos
These days our phones or social media are where we choose to look at photos rather than getting the albums out. However, old photos of family, friends, pets or holiday scenery are the ideal way to personalise your space.
i. Hang your favourite photos and memories on prominent walls – in your living room, bedrooms
and hallways.
ii. Create a gallery on a wall with frames of different shapes and sizes.
iii. Add a selection of your favourite pics to a montage frame.
iv. String up festoon or fairy lights. These are a great way to add a glow to a dark wall space. Clip on
photos and postcards using stationary pegs.
v. Display your photo frames on shelves or in bookcases. Use a single shelf or group two or more
together, then dress with vases, pictures, books or candlesticks. The beauty of this look is that you
can change your arrangement as the mood takes you.
What you’ll need:
Sort through your old photos
Purchase a range of picture frames or upcycle existing ones with a dab of paint
Hang on your walls or space out on your shelving or furniture.
7. Add a touch of fruit
Fruit brings a visual and textural vibrance to your living areas, whether it’s where you sit down to eat or put your feet up to watch TV. These displays are so simple to create it will take very little effort to brighten up each room!
i. Place a collection of citrus fruit such as lemons, limes or oranges in large glass jars, a vase or a bowl
for instant and natural colour.
ii. Rotate the fruit and swap it out from time to time to remove the pieces that are blemished.
iii. As the seasons change, swap the citrus out for apples, pumpkins and gourds.
What you’ll need:
Seasonal fruits
Glass jar, vase or bowl
Space on your kitchen bench, sideboards, or dining table
8. Create a jewellery holder in 5 easy steps
Get your inner crafty on and create this simple but stunning home for your jewellery:
i. Purchase or use a picture frame or mirror in your home style.
ii. Carefully remove the glass or mirror.
iii. If you’d prefer a different colour, upcycle the frame and spray paint.
iv. Staple wire netting to the backing board.
v. Screw hooks into the bottom of the frame to hang bracelets or necklaces off.
And ta-da, you have your very own jewellery holder!
What you’ll need:
A fabulous new or old frame
Spray paint (if preferred)
Wire netting, metal hooks and stapler (from any DIY shop)
PS: we'd love to see your home styling project
Don't forget to tag us on Facebook or Instagram at @housetohavedecor for your chance to win 25% off your next order.
Shop for special home styling touches
From statement ornaments to fabulous faux flowers, our handpicked collections are designed to give you those special touches to help make your house a haven.
