If you’ve ever dreamt about building your own home, you’ve most likely watched and swooned over \nChannel Four’s Grand Designs\n. Presenter and designer Kevin McCloud has been running the show for more than 30-years now. He has seen plenty of setbacks, budget disasters and fallouts throughout his tenure of more than 200 episodes. So, what’s the secret to making a design project, no matter how big or small, go smoothly? We caught up with him to find out how best to embark on your own Grand Design.\n\nWhat’s your advice to anyone undertaking their own design project for the first time?\nKM: “I say this to everybody, and I’ve been saying this for 30 years – the world is full of brilliant people that want to help. Whether that’s your aunt, your best mate, your uncle’s friend who happens to be a builder, or your local architect. We show such extraordinary self-competence as human beings - we think we can do everything. But putting up shelves is very different from building a house. Asking for help in our lives is not something that most of us are very good at doing, but it’s a really important thing to do. When you do, your blood pressure drops, your heart skips a beat and you feel good. Just asking for help from any human being is the first step.”

What advice do you have for people to try to help them stick to their budget?\nKM: “That’s a really good question because it cuts right to the essence of what it is to be a human being. We are a species in which hope drives us. It gives us our ambition and desire to change our world – to make a better living room or bedroom, to build a new house, or to change our street. All of these things are good motivations, but with hope comes desire and an inevitable drive to overreach. We think we will get more done in a day than we can and we think we will build a house cheaper than we actually do.”

It’s like they said in the military: ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail’. If you plan and prepare it’s where you will save money.

“If you get a good quantity surveyor on board who can look at your project dispassionately and tell you how much it’s going to cost, then that’s a good start. It’s asking for help, and you need someone pragmatic to help you. It’s like they say in the military: ‘fail to prepare, prepare to fail.’ If you spend three years planning a project you will spend three years building it, but if you spend five years planning a project then you may only spend one year building it. If you plan and prepare it’s where you will save money.”

What about dealing with setbacks in a project?\nKM: “The trouble is that on television we are used to seeing people get into trouble and then magically getting out of it. How did they do that? Usually by writing a very large cheque. Chequebook architecture, or spending your way out of a hole, is a lazy way of dealing with problems. I think that most of us forget that the best solutions are those which are thought about.”\n\n“We want things to be made good instantly in our lives, but that only happens with hard work, application, and thought. The best thing about us as a species is that we are creative and we can think our way out of problems. Don’t be duped by fairy tale stories – roll your sleeves up, sit down with those around you and share the problem to see how you can solve it.”

How is sustainability changing the way we design?\nKM: “Whereas the green home of 15 years ago might have had technology bolted on to it, now the sustainable home almost has an aesthetic. It can look like anything, but it should have thick walls and heavy concrete for cooling, triple glazing and external shading. These demands really affect how a building looks. Architecture is being driven by science and functionality, and the physics of the fact that summers are getting hotter and winters are getting wetter. As our weather patterns are changing, we are becoming much more aware of a need for resilience and so we are designing that into buildings and that’s changing the way that they look.”\nIf you could only choose one colour for an interior project, what colour would it be and why?\nKM: “As I get older, I’m fitting more into my socio-economic age group stereotype and I’m using more white. Here’s a piece of colour physiology: the average 70-year-old only has 12% of their colour receptor cells in their retina, so you need between seven and eight times as much light when you are older. If you ask a 25-year-old what colours they’re using to paint their house they use dark, rich and deep colours and they can because they’re in their 20s. Whereas I am at an age where I am thinking that I need five times as much light and I need everything to be white please.”\nTempted to embark on your own Grand Design project? We have all of the \ntools\n that you need to start your own home makeover. For more tips and insider info on how to get started, check out the \nlatest tips and tricks\n on our magazine.

Grand Designs Live will return to Excel London from 30th April – 8th May 2022.\nGrand Designs: The Streets airs on Wednesdays, 9pm on Channel 4.\nFor more information visit \nwww.granddesignslive.com\n.

Decorating a home can get expensive, so it’s always a good idea to look for penny-saving tricks where you can. Trusty IKEA has loads of simple structures that with a few savvy improvements, can be transformed into statement pieces. Take the IKEA Ivar cabinet - we’ll show you how to turn it into a stunning sideboard that’ll be the perfect finishing touch to any boho-chic themed space.\n\nLet’s get hacking.\n\nStep 1: Gather your bits.\n2 x IKEA Ivar cabinets\n\nLick paint\n (for the boho-chic look, go for a neutral colour)\nJigsaw (try your local tool hire joint if you don’t have access to one)\nDrill with wood drill part\n\nSand paper\n\n\nPaint brush\n\nMini roller\n\nCane webbing\n 2 - 3 metres. \nStaple gun\nScissors\nHandles\nPencil\nTape measure\nHandles (optional)\nStep 2: Cutting\nRemove the doors of your Ivar cabinets. With a pencil and tape measure, mark the area that you want to cut out. Leave 4 cm minimum from the edge as you need enough space to attach the cane webbing.\nDrill holes in all four corners of your marked area, then use a jigsaw to cut out the middle of each door.\nSandpaper the edges that you’ve just cut so they are nice and smooth.\nStep 3: Painting\nChoose your Lick paint of choice (to keep it Boho Chic check out our \nwhite paint\n)\nWith a good quality brush and mini roller, two coats will do it.\nStep 4: Cane webbing\nDivide and cut the cane webbing into four (soaking the webbing for 30+ mins makes it easier to cut).\nStaple the webbing to the inside of the doors. Start by stapling at the top, then work your way down, pulling the webbing tight and crucially - straight! You don’t want any wonky lines taunting you.\nOnce all is secured in place, cut off any excess webbing from the edges.\nYou’re now ready to reattach your doors to the cabinets.\nStep 5: Handles - optional\nIf you fancy it, attach handles of your choice. Go rustic with natural materials, or bring in some contrast with brass (Etsy is a great place to source this kind of thing). Or go for the paired back look and leave the cabinets bare.\nAnd there you have it - an impressive boho-chic cabinet at an even more impressive price. Panelling like this breaks up blocks of wood, making furniture less imposing and much more versatile. Read more about the \nBoho Chic interior decor style\n for more inspiration.\nFeeling galvanised for more IKEA hacks? Check out \nour hack on how to upcylcle IKEA's malm bedside table\n, or their ubiquitous \nBilly bookcase\n.\n. 

Finding affordable antiques can be like searching for a needle in a haystack and, as convenient as buying antiques online can be, nothing beats looking, smelling, running your fingers across a piece in person. Not to mention getting a proper gauge of the size (we’ve all been there). So, we’ve done the legwork for you. We’ve trawled through some of our favourite antique stores across the country and whittled it down to our 10 best places to buy affordable antiques.\n

\n\nCrystal Palace Antiques\n\nImperial House, Jasper Rd, Norwood, London SE19 1SG\n
\nLondon’s largest antiques center, whether you’re north or south, it’d be rude not to visit Crystal Palace Antiques if you’re serious about sourcing. Located in an old Victorian textile warehouse, its collection of period decor, Art Deco lighting, Mid-century furnishings and much much more is spread across four sprawling floors.

Alice’s\n86 Portobello Road W11 2QD London\n
“Anything and everything a chap can unload is sold off the barrow in Portobello Road”. Well, it’s certainly true of Alice’s. Something of an antique itself, this place doesn’t have a website. So you’ll just have to find out for yourself. \n
\n\nAlfie’s Antiques\n\n13 - 25 Church St, London NW8 8DT\n
An Aladdin's cave of antique artefacts, Alfie’s Antiques is west Londoner's go-to place for everything from global artefacts to 1920’s rarities. A favourite amongst interior designers they’re constantly refreshing their stock so no two visits will be the same. \n
\n\nHemswell Antiques\n\nCaenby Corner Estate, Hemswell Cliff, Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, DN21 5TJ\n
The largest antique dealership in all of Europe, it would be remiss to not mention Hemswell Antiques. Host to over 400 dealers, if you’re looking for it, there’s a good chance they’ll have it. And if they don’t you’ll probably find something \neven\n better. Never a wasted trip, Hemswell Antiques is always worth a visit. \n
\n\nSnoopers Paradise\n\n7/8 Kensington Gardens, Brighton BN1 4AL\n
Tucked down Brighton’s vibrant North Laines, Snoopers is a place for those of you who love a rummage. Filled to the rafters with vintage, mid-century modern, Art Deco, and just plain random finds it’s a lot of fun—and very well priced. \n
\n\nPetworth Antiques Market\n\nEast Street, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0AB\n
An antiques mecca, the West-Sussex locale of Petworth is home to over 30 antique shops, but Petworth Antiques Market is the cream of the crop. Here you’ll find everything from Edwardian children’s beds to Georgian fireplaces and someone’s Grandfather’s clock. If you’re feeling brave, go on and haggle a little on the price too. 

\nThe Junk Shop\n\n9 Greenwich South Street, London, SE10 8NW
\n\nThey say that one man’s trash is another man’s treasure. But fortunately, there’s nothing trash about the stock at Greenwich’s Junk Shop. They offer a ‘house clearance service’ so you really will find a bit of everything spread across its 14 units, at exceptionally affordable prices. \n
\n\nFrome Reclamation\n\nStation Approach, Frome BA11 1RE
\n\nFrome is always a good idea. We love this quirky Somerset town and it’s a really good idea if you’re looking for well-priced antiques. If so, Frome Reclamation is your one-stop shop for architectural salvage and one-of-a-kind curios. \n
\n\nLASSCO\n\n30 Wandsworth Road, London, SW8 2LG \n37 Maltby Street, London SE1 3PA\n\n\nWith not one but two London outposts there’s no need to shop on an empty stomach at LASSCO as both its Vauxhall and Bermondsey locales include rather tasty restaurants. Great for everything from oversized architectural finds and little vintage curios.  \n
\n\nThe French House\n\nThe Warehouse, North Lane, York YO32 9SU\n\n\nSurely one of the largest collections of all things Gallic, \nThe French House\n, includes a selection of beds, mirrors, lights, tables and seating, as well as smaller decorative items and curios, ranging from the 17th to 20th Century. If you’re based down south, they have another outlet in Parsons Green, \nPintor\n. \n

\n\nHand of Glory Antiques\n\n34 Market Pl, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3HP\n\n\nA much-loved secret amongst interior designers Hand of Glory antiques has been furnishing the homes of Wiltshire for decades. With everything from Georgian furniture to global textiles, they even run an upholstery service (should you wish to reupholster than Georgian Wingback). \n\nGot the antiquarian bug? Be the star of your own Antiques Roadshow and tick off a few of our 5 best antiques fairs. 

If you’re reading this, we’re going to assume you’re an avid art lover. And that for you, there’s nothing quite like the buzz and excitement of an art fair. Getting up close and personal with some of your favourite creatives’ work, perhaps even getting to meet a few, not to mention a roster of talks, events, and some good snacks along the way. Oh, and of course—actually buying some art. With creative industries already underfunded, the pandemic dealt a heavy blow to the art world. That’s why, with events back up and running, we think 2022 is the year to support our local artists by attending some of the best affordable art fairs the UK has to offer.\n\nAffordable Art Fair \nWith venues ranging from Hampstead to Hong Kong, the \nAffordable Art Fair\n is many a budding collector’s first foray into the art world. And there’s good reason. With a hand-picked selection of galleries showcasing original contemporary artworks, priced between £50 to £7,500 there’s something to suit every pocket.\nWhen? \n10th-13th March 2022\nWhere?\n Battersea Park\n
*Wherever you are in the world, take a look at their \nupcoming fairs\n as there may be one coming to you soon.\n\nThe Other Art Fair \nShowcasing over 140 independent artists, \nThe Other Art Fair\n combines affordable and original artworks across a range of disciplines. Host to immersive installations, discussion panels, and a well-stocked bar it’s well worth an outing to Brick Lane.\nWhen?\n 17th-20th March 2022\nWhere?\n The Old Truman Brewery\n\nLondon Craft Week \nCelebrating outstanding British and international creativity, \nLondon Craft Week\n brings together over 250 established and emerging makers, designers, brands and galleries from across the world. A curated selection based not on price or fame, but underlying style. Discover everything from multimedia artwork, handmade ceramics, to repurposed and upcycled furnishings.\nWhen?\n 9th - 15th May 2022\nWhere?\n Locations across London
\nSomerset Art Weeks\nShowcasing the work of over 300 local artists, with venues hosting group exhibitions, curated shows and a long list of events \nSomerset Art Weeks\n is an opportunity to visit the galleries, studios, and creative spaces of Somerset creatives.\nWhen?\n 24th September-9th October 2022\nWhere?\n Locations across Somerset\n\nEnd of year shows\nNot exactly an art fair, but art school exhibitions are a great place to find up-and-coming artists work at a fraction of the price. We’d recommend the \nRCA\n, \nGoldsmiths\n, \nChelsea College of Art\n, \nLeeds Arts University\n, and \nGlasgow School of Art\n for starters. This is where you’ll find artists as they’re just emerging, so it’s really about picking pieces you love. Who knows, you might unearth the next Hockney.\nWhen? \nJune-July 2022\nWhere? \nMultiple locations\n

Laura (\n@_farley_and_me_\n) is 34 years old and lives with her husband, Elliot, and their little boy, Farley. She works as a senior manager in technology after moving to the UK from Australia in 2015. They live in London in a rented two-bedroom apartment, complete with large open plan living space, sky lights and a private outdoor area.\n \nLaura has kindly offered to share her DIY upcycle of a chest of drawers that she bought for Farley’s nursery…

Before the Makeover\nTheir second bedroom had always been a spare room since they moved it, but they were excited to transform it into a nursery for their new little addition.\n\n“We looked at nursery furniture everywhere and it was all so expensive. Because this isn’t our ‘forever home’, we didn’t want to spend loads of money on creating an extravagant nursery for Farley, but we did want it to be a space that we could all enjoy”.

Planning & inspiration\nLaura had explored lots of different nursery inspiration images via Pinterest and Instagram, but nothing really seemed to jump out at her. She described their home as a ‘mismatch’ of different items and tastes – a representation of two people coming together and sharing their own, individual possessions. With this sentiment in mind, they wanted to create a nursery that also had a mismatched feel to it.\nEstablishing the budget\nAfter they decided not to blow a large budget on the nursery makeover, they researched ways in which they could create an admirable space for less. First stop, Facebook marketplace…\n \n“I was looking for a children’s wardrobe and chest of drawers that could be easily painted. It took about 6 weeks, but I finally stumbled across the perfect set; which also included a child’s bed! And the best part - it was only £50 for the lot! So, we picked it up and stored the bed in the basement for now."\n\nCheck out our\n wardrobe paint\n top tips.

The makeover\nThe first step of the DIY upcycle was to find the perfect colours to paint them in. She only discovered Lick after already painting the wardrobe; however, she knew she wanted the perfect shade of yellow for the chest of drawers and Laura tells us she found that in our shade, Yellow 02.\n\n“I liked the look of this colour on the website, and it fit in with the other colours of Farley’s nursery. I also liked the idea of yellow, because if we want to change it up further down the line, it will be easy to repaint and choose a new colour”.\n\nThe chest of drawers was luckily a plain, un-treated wood with round wooden knobs and a baby change platform on top.

“I also liked the idea of yellow, because if we want to change it up further down the line, it will be easy to repaint and choose a new colour.”

How to upcycle your chest of drawers\nLaura has kindly shared her step-by-step upcycle guide below: \n Firstly, I had to set up a baby friendly, painting area. This was tough, as it had to be inside due to the bad weather at the time.\nI then sanded back the little bumps I could feel over the chest of drawers, then began painting. I switched between use of a roller and paint brush. The roller was handy for getting even strokes on the bigger surface areas, and the brush was great for the edges.\nOnce the first coat had dried, I applied the second coat. I didn’t bother painting inside of the draws as I knew they wouldn’t be seen. \nOnce the paint had dried, I replaced the old wooden knobs with some gold hexagonal ones I found on Amazon. I also added a new changing mat on top, and styled with a little decorative hanging rainbow.\nThis project took Laura around 2.5 hours, in-between running around after 8-month-old, Farley! We just love its funky, new look!

“My favourite part of the transformation was seeing the finished piece of furniture in the nursery, and how well it all tied in with the rest of our styling!”

Laura’s experience with Lick\nThe paint was fantastic to work with. There was no overpowering smell, which was important as it was going in our nursery. The paint dried quickly and it was very easy (for someone like me with no painting experience) to get a nice even finish. It only took two coats to get the desired effect, too.

“The paint was fantastic to work with. There was no overpowering smell, which was important as it was going in our nursery. The paint dried quickly and it was very easy to get a nice finish.”\n

I have already recommended Lick to lots of friends.\nRevealing the budget\nThe transformation cost Laura a grand total of £69. This included the chest of drawers for approximately £15 (a split between the three items she bought off Facebook Marketplace), the hexagonal gold handles for £16 off Amazon and the one tin of our paint for £38.\n

Laura’s DIY advice & tips\nBe patient. If you’re looking for something to fit in with your home, it is out there! You will find it for a great price, you’ve just got to keep looking without taking the plunge for the first item you see\nFollow upcycling accounts on Instagram for some great inspiration. Geneva Vanderzeil is my favourite\nHave fun! Your house doesn’t have to be full of expensive, designer things. Invest in some good pieces and simply ‘fake it till you make it!’\nLooking for more upcycling DIY tips? Discover \nhow to upcycle your bathroom cabinets using Lick leftover paint\n and how to \nupcycle your bedside table\n.

Image courtesy of @_mrsb_bythesea\n\nSarah (\n@the_joys_at_no44\n) is 36 years old and lives with her husband, their two-year-old daughter and their two cats. She works as an office manager for a local architect company in Belfast, where they now live. Originally from South Wales, followed by 10 years living in England, they have now chosen to settle in their newly-renovated Edwardian terrace, which spans across three floors.  \n \nHaving only officially moved in during August 2020, they are slowly adding their stamp to the house, but we are thrilled to dedicate this article to one of Sarah’s first little renovation projects – the bathroom sink cabinet.

Before the makeover\nSarah described the space as clean and functional, but pretty dull. Everything was either white or silver and lacked serious excitement…\n \n“We decided to upcycle the white bathroom sink cabinet, to inject some colour to the overall room. We eventually want to change/ reconfigure the whole bathroom, but have prioritised other areas of the house first. We were simply looking for a quick & easy makeover project, on a seriously low budget!”.\nPlanning & inspiration\nInstagram is Sarah’s favourite ‘go-to’ platform when looking for ideas and inspiration for her own home. She loves browsing all the other home accounts, and seeking advice and suggestions from such a huge and friendly online community.\n \nAdditionally, an admirer of 80s interior décor and colours, she liked the idea of teaming black handles with a pretty pastel colour. Having recently used our muted bubble-gum shade, \nPink 03\n, to \npaint her front door\n – she knew there would be plenty leftover paint to tackle a second project.\n \nAs our \neggshell finish\n is perfect for painting in a bathroom too, this thrifty opportunity lent itself perfectly…

\nHow to upcycle using leftover paint\n Sarah has kindly broken down the up-cycle process for our lovely readers below:\nFirstly, I checked with the Lick Team online that this paint could be used for this project. Their customer service was amazing and we found it really helpful. As we had chosen the new eggshell finish, it’s mid-sheen and \nwipeable paint\n abilities were perfect for the bathroom.
\nAssured that I had the right paint, I gathered all tools needed; leftover paint, \nroller\n and \npaint tray\n, \nsmall brush\n, \nmasking tape\n, screwdriver, and some old sheets. Learn \nhow to use masking tape when decorating\n.
\nAfter a thorough clean, I lay the sheets on the floor and removed the door fronts and drawers using a screwdriver. I then removed the original handles and added masking tape around the cabinet.
\nAs the paint is also self-priming, I didn’t prepare the cabinet first. To be honest, if this was a long-term solution for our bathroom, I possibly would have primed as a precaution anyway, although the finish is great without and we haven’t had any issues so far.
\nI got straight onto painting the first coat, left it to dry while I busied myself elsewhere for half an hour; then returned to it later that day for the second coat.
\nOnce it had completely dried, I removed the masking tape, added the new handles to the drawer/ door fronts then screwed them back onto the cabinet.\n

Sarah’s experience with Lick\n“My husband was the first to come across Lick, as he was keen to use \nenvironmentally friendly paint\n, wherever possible. We were sold on the paint being \nlow VOC\n and water based, as well as available in a \nrange of great colours\n. We initially ordered some samples, as we knew we wanted to use a pale pink in the house but didn’t want to take the plunge without seeing it for ourselves. We loved how the samples came on sticky paper so you could move them around and see it in different lights, without having to paint directly onto walls, doors etc.\n \nThe paint was great, it was easy to apply and a good, thick consistency that goes a long way. This is probably why we had so much leftover and were able to use it for other little projects, such as this bathroom cabinet and my daughter’s fairy door for the garden. We would definitely recommend it; the paint is really durable, easy to apply, and most importantly, wipeable”.

“The paint was great, it was easy to apply and a good, thick consistency that goes a long way. This is probably why we had so much leftover.”

Revealing the budget\nAs Sarah wanted to complete this makeover on an extremely low budget; using leftover paint from a previous project was ideal. She also wanted to swap the handles of the cabinet to a more modern style, but with only 5 required – she knew this would be a budget friendly investment.\n\nSo, having already obtained the paint from a previous project, plus the tools for the job – the only transformation cost incurred was the price of new handles for the cabinet doors and drawers. This came to a total of £12.84 including postage. What a bargain!\n \n“As we saved a lot of money on this project, I am now tempted to change the silver tap to a black one – just so it matches with the handles. However, we are resisting the urge to spend and shall wait until we can save enough money for a completely new bathroom”.\nSarah’s upcycling DIY advice & tips\nMake sure you discuss different ideas, and grab colour samples before you start. It always pays off to be sure of your vision, or you may find that you’ll change your mind very quickly\nExplore the use of colour – it’s amazing how much it boosts your mood whilst being at home\nAvoid painting with a toddler! Our daughter added a huge splodge of paint onto one of the door fronts as I had just finished the first coat, so we had to wait for this to dry before sanding it down and trying again. Oops!\nWe joined a local ‘Tool Library’, which has been great for those one-off jobs where you might only use something once. It also comes in handy for borrowing the bigger kind of tools, which won’t require the expense of purchase or the hassle of trying to find somewhere to store it!\nGumtree and Facebook Marketplace are great for finding some lovely and random bargains. We found some original Edwardian panelled doors, which were a fraction of the price and has really added some character back into the house\n \nFeeling creative? Read more about \nwhat to do with leftover paint\n, including how to \nupcycle your bedside table with this cheeky IKEA malm hack\n.

Helen (\n@letsmakethishouseahome\n) is 29 years old and lives in Nottingham with her partner Ben. She works as a Pro Artist for Charlotte Tilbury, as well freelancing bridal and red-carpet make-up.\n\nTheir home is a 1930s semi, that really hadn’t been touched since the 1970s & 80s. It was in need of a modern makeover, and some TLC to bring it back to life. This is their first owned home together, after living in a rental for the previous five years. \n\nTo make sure they had a head start before moving in, they completed five months of renovation work whilst still living at their rental. Work started in March this year, and they finally moved themselves in officially, in August. \n\nHelen chose to share her staircase makeover with us. You will see from the photos that the original décor was pretty retro, and they were eager to bring it in line with the 21st century.

Before the makeover\nHelen admits that everything about this space needed to go, as the entire look was extremely dated. They really wanted to make a feature of the staircase, and turn it into a ‘wow factor’, as this is the first thing you see when you enter through the front door. \n\n“The house had really strange features; like a doorway filled with privacy glass, shelves and a bizarre pelmet! The beautiful original doors were covered in an awful MDF, and the carpet was a really old-fashioned, green pattern. We couldn’t wait to rip everything out!”

Planning & inspiration\nThey wanted to go for a neutral, \nmonochromatic colour scheme\n; that would create a timeless feel and inject some drama into the house. They always had the idea of a dark and moody entrance hall; and Pinterest and Instagram simply reaffirmed their love for this style. \n\n“We wanted to go for dark wood along the banister, skirting boards and architraves - to really make the monochromatic colour palette pop!”

“Black 02 was perfect, as it was almost an ‘off-black’ shade. Being a matt finish too, we just knew it would look amazing and dramatic against the lighter, neutral colours.”

Helen discovered Lick through Instagram, after initially setting up her home account through the social media platform. After browsing the website, they came across and instantly fell in love...

Establishing the budget\nHelen and Ben had an overall renovation budget saved for the house, which included the hallway and landing. However, they knew they could give the staircase itself a brand-new look for a minimal cost – meaning there could be money saved for another, small project in the future.\nThe makeover\nThe whole project started with stripping back the entire space; getting rid of unwanted features and preparing the surfaces for a new look. They were pleasantly surprised to discover some beautiful black and white chequered tiles underneath the carpets, so it was a bonus for them to restore this part of the house and continue to enjoy some of its original features. \n\nOnce everything had been prepared for the next stage, Ben sanded down the staircase bannister and spindles with sanding paper. They then applied a dark grey primer using an old sock over the top of a rubber glove, to help work the product into the wood. Who’d of thought it, hey?

“We managed two coats of Black 02, including the skirting’s and architraves. The paint was so easy to work with, and the colour built up perfectly!”

To complete the overall look, the staircase runner was fitted just a short while after finishing the painting makeover. They were, and still are, in awe of their DIY project success!

Revealing the budget\nHelen estimated that the staircase project cost them around £65, excluding the new runner. This included sandpaper and caulk for the preparation, the dark grey wood primer and a 2.5L tin of \nLick paint in Black 02\n. \n\nThe biggest bargain was finding the striking, original tiles under the carpet. As they say, the best things in life are free!

Helen’s top tips for decorating on a budget\nThere is so much that you can do yourself; however, pick your battles carefully. Choosing the right areas to invest your money into professionally, will ensure you get a high-quality, timeless finish in all the right places.\nIf you have original features then hold onto them and restore them. This not only saves money, but adds such beautiful and unique character to your home.\n\nCheck out our instructions on how to paint a front door \nand our \nexpert hallway decor ideas\n. And if you need more inspiration for your hallway, check out these \npainting stairs ideas\n.\n\n\nBuy paint online\n

Esin (\n@edwardian_love\n) is 37 years old and lives with her husband, two sons and their ragdoll cat, Bleu. She works as a photographer by day, and admits to a serious DIY addiction in her spare time. Their beautiful, monochrome home is a 1900s Edwardian, semi-detached property based in Hertfordshire – where they have lived for two years now.\n\nOnly recently, Esin revealed a full transformation of her eldest son’s loft-space bedroom, and has kindly offered to share her design process with us, too…

Before the makeover\nHer eldest son’s bedroom had initially been decorated with a superhero theme, featuring lots of Marvel characters and primary colours. He had outgrown the theme, and was looking for something a little more ‘grown-up’.\n\n“He had started to complain that his bedroom wasn't grown up enough for him anymore, and had stopped playing with his superhero toys over a year ago. As much as it broke my heart, as a mum, to know that my eldest son was growing up fast, I knew it was time for a change”.\n\nThe focus of the room has always been the chimney breast and triangular statement wall, which runs straight up into the roof. Previously covered in a superhero poster wallpaper, Esin knew she wanted to create another feature wall, which could provide an oversized bedhead and backdrop to the space. With it being the first thing you see as you enter the bedroom, she wanted it to have the ‘wow’ factor.

Planning & inspiration\nWhen searching for inspiration, Esin didn’t need to go far. In previous DIY projects, she had used wooden battens to create a 3D effect against the walls in her kitchen and cinema room – and her son had always loved these designs.\n\n“He really wanted to remove the wallpaper, so we knew that would be the first thing we did. He’d suggested a ‘wood effect’ on the walls, like we had downstairs – so, I would say my son was definitely my inspiration for this project!”\n\nWhen searching for colours, Esin wanted to go for something that could stand the test of time. Something warm and cosy, with a mature vibe that he could enjoy for many years to come. She had a colour consultation with one of our specialists, and was recommended ‘\nWhite 03\n’ for the job.

Establishing the budget\nAs Esin had previously worked with the wooden battens in her home, she already knew this transformation would be extremely budget-friendly. The materials required for the job were affordable and widely accessible.\nThe makeover\nFor our readers at home, Esin has kindly outlined the batten building process below:\nI steamed and stripped the superhero wallpaper that was on the feature wall, then filled and sanded down any damaged areas\nI then applied a standard white undercoat, before I began attaching the wooden battens. In hindsight, I wished I had used the ‘White 03’ paint at this point, as it would’ve saved a lot of time when trying to paint between each batten towards the end\nI then measured and cut the battens to size; each one had to be cut differently and at a specific angle, due to the shape of the wall. I sanded each end down to avoid any brittle ends and used ‘No More Nails’ glue to apply them against the wall. I used a small piece of batten to guide the distance between each gap, so that they were all evenly placed along the wall\nNaturally, wood battens aren’t always straight and can have a slight bend to them; so I had to add a couple of nails through the battens and into the wall. You will find that the walls aren’t always straight either, so this prevents them from popping out or becoming loose after a while\nOnce we finished the whole wall, my son and I painted the battens in the ‘White 03’ colour. I used a larger paint brush and roller, and my son used a smaller brush to get into the gaps. Team work makes the dream work!\nOnce dry, we placed his bed back into position and styled the room to match the new look. He absolutely loves it!

\nEsin used 30mm x 16.5mm thick ‘planed spruce cladding’ battens from B&Q, which come as a pack of 12.\n

Esin’s experience with Lick\n“My experience with the paint was nothing but positive. The battens aren’t smooth, and have many natural wood flaws on them - but Lick’s thick paint texture managed to cover every imperfection beautifully, leaving the finish so smooth.\n\nThe paint was very easy to work with, as the coverage is effortless. I was lucky enough to get \nSam\n’s advice when choosing the right colour for his feature headboard. I needed something warm, with no grey undertones, and she knew exactly what I was looking for. When I received the sample stickers I was able to stick them inside the battens (as it was so flexible), which allowed me to see how it would look when painted. The sample stickers are an exact match to the paint colour itself, and so handy as you can move them around the room as many times as you like”.

Revealing the budget\nThis feature wall transformation cost Esin approximately £80. This included the wood battens, ‘No More Nails’ glue and one tin of our paint in \nWhite 03\n. She already owned the tools necessary for the job, due to previous projects in the house.\n\nWe love this DIY wall hack, as its not only super affordable – but wonderfully effective!

Esin’s DIY advice & tips\nI extremely enjoy DIY projects. They keep me active, and when I envision something that I managed to bring to life, it brings me so much joy. When you do it yourself, it becomes a little more special and personal – so I would always advise someone to give it a go. The satisfaction is priceless!\nOrder as many paint samples as you can. My DIY moto has always been, “paint is magic”. It can transform anything dramatically, without spending thousands. Try and work with what you already have - if you can paint it, then go for it – upcycling projects are budget-friendly and sustainable. A lick of paint transforms everything; whether its walls or furniture - it makes it brand new again\nMood boards are key. It allows you to create your idea visually, before you begin physically - which will save you time and money. Experiment with prints or materials, or even try using some online apps. They are a great tool and this kind of pre-planning won’t cost you any hasty decisions in the long run\nIf you’re on a budget, hunt around on eBay or Facebook Marketplace. There is some amazing furniture and accessories out there, just waiting to be discovered. As they say, one person’s trash, is another person’s treasure!\nInspired by Esin's DIY wall panelling? Check out our tips on how to do \nDIY bedroom and hallway wall panelling here\n.

Giving your home a fresh, new look doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg. Welcome to the world of upcycling furniture! Got a few tired-looking pieces of furniture around your home that could use a glow-up? We’d recommend giving upcycling a go.\n\nUpcycling furniture is one of the cheapest and most impactful ways you can revive furniture. And no, you don’t need to be a DIY guru to get involved. No idea where to start? Read on for our mini-guide to upcycling with a few easy upcycling furniture ideas. \nBenefits of upcycling furniture\nUpcycling furniture saves you the expense (and hassle) of sourcing brand new pieces. \nIt’s easy - all you need to start is your paint colour of choice and tools. \nIt’s good for the environment - upcycle your furniture so it doesn’t end up in landfill any sooner than it really needs to.\nUpcycling furniture is fun. And you’ll have a ‘new’ unique piece of furniture that no one else has. \nHow to upcycle your furniture with paint \n\nAlthough there are many different ways to upcycle your furniture (staining, stencilling, upholstering, wallpapering, you name it..), refreshing it with a good old-fashioned lick of paint is the easiest way to get started.  Here’s how: \n\nStep 1: Prep \nStart by preparing the furniture item you’re looking to upcycle by giving it a good clean.  Take any knobs or handles off. Sand down the surface to make it smooth and give the paint something to stick to. \n\nStep 2: Prime \nPrime the furniture piece to make your paint last longer, especially if you’re upcycling an oft-used item such as a dining room table. Using a small paint brush or foam roller, apply a thin coat of primer and allow it to dry. \n\nNote: You can skip this step if you’ve got a tin of \nLick paint\n - all our paints are self-priming. For more on how to make a paint job last (and last), check out our article on \nhow to paint all types of surfaces, including how to paint wood furniture\n.\n\nStep 3:  Paint \nWondering \nwhat paint to use on wood\n? You'll be happy to know you can use Lick paint. So, i's time to get stuck in. Apply a thin coat of paint and leave to dry. Once dry, examine the surface and sand down any bumpy sections before applying the second coat.\nUpcycled furniture ideas\nReady to get started? Here are some easy upcycled furniture ideas to get those creative juices flowing:\nUpcycled chest of drawers ideas\nAlice and Ollie from \nPatience & Gough\n used our paints to create a classy and modern ombre effect on an armoire. Ombres are very time-consuming. Achieving a perfect fade around an entire piece sometimes takes many attempts, keep going!\nOther ideas to upcycle your chest of drawers are:\nTurn it into a television stand —it looks unusual (in a good way) and can work well if your chest of drawers is the right height\nPaint your drawers a bold and beautiful colour and transform a boring old chest into a statement piece\nAdd a drop-front work surface to your chest of drawers and use it as a desk\n

“For this elegant French Armoire, we took on our largest ever Ombre project. Using Lick paint [we] created a smooth blend from black to white around the entire piece.”

Upcycled dining table ideas\nNew dining tables can be pricey. Upcycle your existing table to give your dining room new life without a big cost investment.\nGot your heart set on a new dining table? Shorten the legs of your old dining table and give it a \nfresh lick of paint\n to transform it into a whole new piece - an upcycled coffee table.\n

“Use a roller for flat surfaces as they are small and they are simply the best. For the more delicate curves and smaller spaces, use a small artist brush so you can really feel the curve and shape of the piece as you paint.”

Upcycled coffee table ideas\nTurn a wooden coffee table into a stylish living room feature by repainting the surface (read up on \nhow to paint wood surfaces here\n).\nAdd a glass top to the surface for an easy coffee table update. \n\nFeast your eyes on these side tables, in a gorgeous \nsage green wall and furniture paint\n \nGreen 02\n.

Upcycled sideboard ideas\nYour sideboard doesn’t need to just be a space to stash your clutter. Spruce it up by plastering printed wallpaper onto the front panels. \nReplace any drawer knobs with new ones for a super affordable and simple upcycle hack. Add a bit of quirk by using different door knobs for all your drawers.\n

Upcycle your shelves and bookcase\n\nGot a book case or shelves you'd like to give a fresh lick of paint? Check out these amazing transformations and get inspired to try your very own \nbilly bookcase hack\n and \nIKEA malm hack\n.\nUpcycle cabinets\n\nEasiest way to spruce up some old cabinetry to make a room look brand new? Whether you're giving some TLC to your kitchen or bathroom, learn \nhow to upcycle cabinets\n with leftover paint.\nFeeling inspired? Learn more about \nhow to paint furniture here\n and if you fancy giving your garden a spruce up, learn \nhow to paint outdoor metal garden furniture \nusing Lick exterior and masonry paint (ranging from \nyellow masonry paint\n to \ngreen exterior paint\n). Tag us on Instagram \n@lick\n, as we'd love to see your upcycled furniture results! Fancy using wood to give your walls a spruce up?\n\nLearn how to do \nDIY bedroom and hallway wall panelling here\n.

Ah, the joys of gardening. Getting your hands dirty and your fingers green. Even if you've only got a balcony to work with, you can still jump on the botanical bandwagon. That's why we're sharing our eight budget-friendly balcony decor ideas so you can give your outdoor space a spruce up without it costing the earth.\nBalcony decor idea: paint pots\nLife lesson No. 386 we wish we'd known when we entered adulthood: how expensive plant pots can be. So why not upcycle your old ones and \nuse up your leftover paint\n? We've always said a dose of colour is a fun and effective way to \nadd character to a small space\n. The same applies to livening up your balcony. So get your paint brushes at the ready and create some colourful patterns and designs. Or \ncreate an in-vogue distressed look by whitewashing your terracotta pots with paint\n. For the best results, we recommend using our range of \nexterior and masonry paints\n.

Balcony decor idea: paint or upcycle furniture\nGot some tired outdoor furniture? Give it a facelift by adding a pop of colour. A great way to upcycle otherwise past their best furnishings and give them a new lease of life. Whether it's metal outdoor tables and chairs that have been outside one winter too long or you're upcycling indoor furnishings that would have ended up at the tip, for the best and most durable finish, do it with our range of \nexterior and masonry paints\n. For expert guidance, why not take a look at our tips and tricks on \nhow to paint your garden furniture\n.

Balcony decor idea: invest in lighting\nThere is nothing, we repeat, \nnothing\n that makes an outdoor space more magical than outdoor lighting. If you do one thing to transform your balcony, hanging festoon lighting will have the most dramatic effect on an evening’s entertainment. For durability, we recommend investing in good quality lights. You’ll thank yourself in the long run.\nBalcony decor idea: go bohemian with floor pillows\nWe're big fans of boho, and we've written at length on \nhow to bring a bohemian decor style into your home\n. Now we’re going to help you bring it to your balcony. Floor pillows and scatter cushions are a great way to do this. If you've got a covered balcony, go for woolen or woven materials—the choice is yours. \n\nIf, however, you're open to the Great British elements, then go for something a little hardier. From ottomans to floor pouffes, opt for jute, leather or even low slung rattan seating for longer-lasting soft furnishings that will create a relaxed vintage feel.

Balcony decor idea: hang an outdoor mirror\nAs with interiors, adding a mirror to a balcony never fails to open up the space. If you're on a budget, you don't need to invest in an expensive outdoor mirror. Upcycle a second-hand one by properly sealing it or painting its frame with a couple of coats of our \nexterior and masonry paint\n. Hang lights or grow ivy around it for your very own Secret Garden-style sanctuary.\nBalcony decor idea: add cosines with a floor rug\nDefine your entertaining space with an outdoor rug—a perfect way to add some cosiness and inject a bit of bohemian-chic into your balcony. Nowadays, you don't have to worry about them getting ruined in the wetter months. There are some great options, including some made of recycled plastic that look just like woven jute or wool.

Balcony decor idea: hang herbs\nYou might not have enough room to go self-sufficient and \nstart your own on-trend victory garden\n, but there's always space to hang a few herb planters. Handy in the kitchen, herbs also create a sensory experience with fragrant smells and can help attract much-needed bugs and bees to your balcony.\n\nIf you're planting multiple types in one planter, remember to plant like-with-like. Mediterranean herbs like rosemary, thyme, sage, oregano, and tarragon all get along famously, requiring minimal watering, whilst basil and parsley can happily share a pot. But leave mint alone as that guy likes to take over.\nBalcony decor idea: bring in greenery\nWhen working with balconies, using height is a great way to make the most effective use of space. Even if you don't have much floor space for lots of pots and plants, you can still bring in some greenery by clever use of climbers and hanging baskets. Ivy will grow just about anywhere and is (almost) unkillable. Whereas if you want to evoke the senses, pollinators like jasmine and honeysuckle will not only produce an attractive smell for you, but the bees will like them too. Add some annuals, like marigolds, geraniums, and pansies, into the mix for a kaleidoscopic hanging basket.

And that’s it, our eight budget-friendly balcony ideas. We hope these were useful on your decorating journey and helped prove that you don’t need to blow the bank to redecorate. If you liked this, why not take a look at \nour tips on how to get your garden decor ready for entertaining\n.

Want to redecorate, but don't want to spend a fortune? Discover our series to decorate on a budget and start decorating tomorrow.

Budget

Insider tips: how to embark on your own Grand Design with Kevin McCloud

IKEA Ivar cabinet hack: get boho chic for cheap

The best places to buy affordable antiques in the UK

The 5 best affordable art fairs to visit this year

Upcycle your chest of drawers using Lick paint

Upcycle bathroom cabinets with leftover paint

How to decorate your home on a £60 budget

How to create bedroom wall panelling on an £80 budget

The guide to upcycling furniture

8 budget-friendly balcony decor ideas