Style on a budget
Furnishing your home on a small budget is challenging, but with planning and creativity, you can get great results without breaking the bank.
Mon, Jun 23, 2008
The Special Projects Unit, Marketing Division, SPH
By Merlene Michael
Plan the look
THE first thing is to decide on the look that you want.
Leaf through the design or décor magazines to find what would be great in your home, says Ms Suzy Alexandra Wong, senior manager of visual merchandising at Courts.
Walking through the showrooms can also give you ideas.
At Courts Ang Mo Kio, there are 14 different theme rooms that showcase styles ranging from contemporary designs to traditional ones.
And if you are still at a loss for ideas, in-house professional interior designers at the Design Solutions Hub at Courts Megastore in Tampines are on hand to provide advice.
Set a budget
Once you have decided on the look, set a budget and list out the items that you need.
It is crucial to be realistic about how much you can spend. Ms Wong offers a tip: Start with the major pieces for each room - such as a sofa and coffee table for the living room, mattresses and bed linen for the bedrooms, table and chairs for the dining area, and cupboards for storage - before moving on to the secondary pieces.
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Shop smart
Next comes the fun part - shopping. Naturally, the first reaction of anyone decorating on a small budget is to go cheap and head for garage sales or second-hand stores.
While the low prices may be the attraction, do not buy the first thing you see, advises Ms Wong. It takes a practised eye to suss out the gems from the junk.
"And with second-hand furniture, you can't really be sure if it's in good condition from just one look.
"For example, a sofa might be termite-infested and you might end up spending a whole lot more on cleaning and repairs than planned."
She adds that it is worthwhile to invest in good quality furniture, as it is more likely to last for years with good care.
But a good quality purchase does not have to be expensive.
"The thing about shopping on a budget is to scout around for the best sales and compare prices," she says.
A bit of legwork is involved, but the effort will be worth it. You do not want to sacrifice style to save a few dollars.
Zoom in on special bundle deals on living room sets, bedroom suites and electrical appliances, like those offered by Courts. The furniture, electronics and IT retailer also has attractive purchase-with-purchase offers and free gifts during the Great Singapore Sale (GSS).
Also check if the showrooms will sell their display sets for less. Just be prepared to put up with minor flaws like dents and scratches.
Mix and match
If you are aiming to update the current look of a room rather than redecorate it, try mixing and matching furniture. You will be surprised how simple changes can dramatically affect the way a room looks.
"Footstools are inexpensive and add character to your living room.
"You can also use accent pieces like a chaise lounge to complement existing furniture, or add a retro piece to a contemporary sofa set to change the look and feel of the room," says Ms Wong.
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Opt for storage units that can be configured to fit your space and budget, such as the Bodoni chest of drawers, cupboards and wardrobe:
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Make room
It is also important to take into consideration the size of the room to avoid overcrowding it.
So if you are facing a space crunch in the dining area, for instance, consider floating shelves and storage units that tuck away neatly into corners.
When furnishing the bedrooms, Ms Wong suggests wardrobes and chests of drawers that can be configured to fit your space and budget. They are mobile and can be easily rearranged, unlike built-in units.
For the kids' bedrooms, opt for bunk beds, which often incorporate built-in storage for books and toys.
Stretch your dollar by going for "double-duty" furnishings like sofa-beds or futons that can double as guest beds, and sturdy tables with drawers that can store things as well as hold the television set.
An upholstered bench at the end of your bed also provides a perfect place to put extra bedding or clothing and serves as a decorative element in the room.
Renew the old
Yet another money-saving idea is to give your existing furnishings a makeover.
"If you cannot afford new kitchen cupboards, for example, you can rejuvenate them with vinyl stickers that come in wood-grain and floral designs," says Ms Wong.
Or, you can replace existing handles with new ones and get stencilled patterns to update the units.
A little bit of paintwork also helps. Most wood will look better with a good scrubbing, and a new coat of paint on a battered dining table or an old kitchen cupboard can make a big difference.
Dress up
Finally, add inexpensive decorative items such as throw pillows, rugs, vases, baskets and plants to your furnishings to make your home inviting and cosy.
Think of the different ways of presenting things, says Ms Wong.
Fabrics tossed over tabletops, for example, can hide an unattractive, old piece of furniture.
And photographs, postcards and posters grouped together with the right frame can make an interesting collage to dress up the wall.
"Even coffee table centrepieces can make an interesting décor when strung together with some wire or nailed to the wall," she says.
You do not really need a big budget to create a stylish home. All you need is a little creativity and imagination.