First-Time Home Owner: Affordable Interior Design Ideas

You’ve done it and achieved one of your ultimate goals: becoming a home owner. You’ve successfully saved your deposit and now the journey begins. While the wait is now lifted off your shoulders, the overwhelming interior design element takes first place. It can be intimidating to completely transform your new home into a modern and tasteful space that fully reflects your style. 

Alternatively, you’re just here to clean it up, make it accustomed to interior design trends, and get it sold as soon as possible. Finding interior solutions that are kind to both our sanity and the planet feels more important than ever and a sense of permanence is key to understanding which way the 2020s are headed. What will feel timeless for several years to come? And what is on its way to feeling dated and dull? 

Certain design hallmarks from periods in the past are making a comeback. After mid-century modern dominance, formal accents are now making a comeback. As trends at the moment seem to be resurfacing from the past, it’s a good time to unleash some modern twists and personal style. 

Whether you’re moving into a brand-new house or giving one with some history a fresh start, there are some interior design ideas and trends that can help transform this space into a functional and stylish part of your life. 

Some Tips For First-Time Owners

1. Start with a Clear Vision

Before diving straight into a design project, take some time to define your overall vision for your home and establish what you want to achieve, whether it’s the vibe, time scale or colour scheme. Consider a range of things, such as the space you have, your personal style and the overall ambiance you want to create in every room. 

Gathering inspiration from social media, magazines and websites and putting that inspiration on a mood board can help you see your vision and clarify your design goals. 

1. Set a Budget 

Interior design can range from budget-friendly to extravagant, so it’s important to establish a budget that aligns with your financial situation. 

There are options available now that are not only rental-friendly but also first-time owner-friendly, such as vinyl or stick-on tiles. Or you could try some handmade art or upcycle furniture so save money and make your home personal to you. Which can be of great quality and styling. Having a clear budget in mind will help you prioritise and make well-informed decisions about your projects. 

1. Create a Functional Layout 

Efficient and functional layouts are essential for a comfortable and functional living space. Think about how you’ll use each room and arrange furniture accordingly; this will prevent you from overspending on furniture. 

1. Use Quick Paint Tricks 

Taking advantage of free samples or what’s left in the paint point is one of the easiest, most cost-friendly and most creative ways to add some colour and flare to any room. 

While luxury feels like adhering to its rich neutrals, if you want to add pops of colour and your personality to the room, for example, try painting your doors a bold, bright colour or the door frame. This accent colour can be picked up again elsewhere in the space with an ornament to create a simple, quick, cohesive look that is extremely stylish. 

1. Reuse and Refurb

You can add some character and history to your home, whether its an antique market find, an inherited piece or simply something that needs a fresh coat of paint. This is a good trick to have a beautifully styled home and stay within budget. 

While brand new furniture seems to be on the rise, it works in favour of first-time buyers because you can find or even build your own decor at a fraction of the price, making it less likely to be tossed to the pavement in the future. 

Investing your money in quality furniture can save you money in the long run. You’re less likely to part with furniture or treat it badly if its vintage or a little expensive. Avoiding shopping with brad and building it yourself will not only add more character to your home but also make it look more tasteful and full of character if it has some chips and dips

1. Focus on Lighting 

Proper lighting can transform the atmosphere of your home. Incorporating a variety of lighting into your space, including ambient, task, and accent lighting, experiment with different fixtures, such as chandeliers, pendant lights and floor lamps. 

You can create a mood in every room and have the freedom to move and experiment with it. 

1. Bedding

Having quality pillows, duvet cover sets and curtains is the perfect way to have a simple and effective bedroom. A space where you can unwind and have a good night’s sleep. 

By spending a little more on these things, you’ll have some quality sleep, which can give you the energy to crack on with all the other aspects of interior design. 

1. Choose a Colour Palette

Selecting a colour palette for each room is a crucial part of interior design. By considering both the overall colour scheme for your home and individual colour choices for each room, starting off with neutrals provides versatility for first-time home owners who are still finding their style.

While pops of colour can add more personality and vibrancy, you must ensure you have the decor that compliments the colour scheme well, which can be costly if you have to rebuy things such as your sofa.

1. Add DIY Features

There are many trends surfacing on social media. One popular trend that seems to be staying is DIY wall panelling ideas that can make drab architecture more appealing and add some texture to plain walls. 

1. Layer Pattern and Texture

If you want to take your interior to a luxury, high-end finish while on a budget, you can embrace a wide variety of materials that create a bright and inspiring space. Consider layering patterns and textures through soft furnishings such as quality throws and alternative cushion covers, which are practical and affordable ways to elevate your space.

1. Mirrors

The power of mirrors shouldn’t be underestimated; they can transform a small, dark room instantly and create a light and larger feel. 

Designers are well known for their use of mirrors. Placing a mirror in front of lighting in areas such as the living room or bedroom can create a real luxury feeling. This is perfect for those with small spaces. It can spread light around the room and reflect all the beautiful features into the room. 

1.  Consider Curtains 

There are so many curtain ideas that can be extremely versatile and add a bit of colour to a space, even on a budget. Some households have them as a part of decor rather than for practicality. 

Playing with different elements on curtains, such as adding a tie or metal hook, is a great feature for existing drapes and can add a cohesive feel to other elements in the room. They add a level of finish to a room. 

Try blackout curtains for your bedroom; they will be a lifesaver during the summer months and some beautiful lace curtains or a half curtain in your kitchen for some cottage core feel. There is a variety out there and a pair of curtains for everyone.