Transforming your home needn’t cost a fortune.

While everyone else tuned in to watch Marie Kondo declutter on Netflix, I came across the Great British Design Challenge – which originally aired on BBC2. It is a competition where each episode two amateur interior designers are given a budget, and a room (or two) to transform over two days.

They achieve great results while spending relatively little

Little projects can transform an entire room.

I have several little projects I have thought about doing in the house, and re-watching this programme made me realise that if these designers could transform an entire room in two days, I should take the plunge and start on my own far less ambitious projects.

I love being creative – and am quite happy to paint away with music playing in the background.

My budget was pretty much non-existent, my only purchase was paint. My first task was to turn what had essentially become a small junk room into a room that could be used- in my case to resume my video reviews of products for the website, where I could permanently set up lights etc.  Apart from clearing out the clutter the main task was to paint the existing pine furniture.

I bought one 750 ml can of chalky emulsion which was suitable for both furniture and walls, and some metallic spray paint. The total cost was in the region of £25.

It took me about two to three hours to paint each piece- I did the first coat with a brush and the second with a roller. I did my initial  paint colour test on the back of one of the drawers.

I had intended to change the pine knobs for glass ones – but I came across a problem with the way some were screwed in – so had to come up with a Plan B-  and  decided to spray paint the knobs with silver metallic paint instead to provide some contrast.

Spray painting chairs

I also had a couple of old loom chairs in the back of the garage – so decided to give them a new lease of life by spray painting one silver and the other in gun metal grey.  Whereas everyone else was out and about on a sunny Saturday – I became excited at the prospect of being able to tackle my spray painting outside – laying out plastic sheeting and spraying away.

Ultimately I am really happy with the results.  I probably wouldn’t go out and buy furniture like this, but it seemed a pity to throw out perfectly solid items when they could be transformed.

I thoroughly enjoyed doing it – and in fact had enough paint left over for another mini project. I had wanted to paint a panel behind the mirror in the dining area for ages – and so used the left over paint for that – I also decided to paint a panel behind two framed prints so that looked a little less ‘lost’ on the wall.

Inspired by the results I then decided to paint the fireplace – it never did look right painted white – and found that rather than buy a whole pot, two tester pots was sufficient to do the whole job.

I have now caught my painting ‘bug’ and am looking for other pieces I can transform around the house. I personally find doing things like this quite therapeutic.

Transforming a room needn’t cost a fortune. I think my total budget for all three of my  mini projects  was in the region of £30. A bargain!!

My little upcycling project has inspired friends to salvage old cupboards and do similar. I hadn’t intended to post this on the site – but I have been encouraged to do so by friends who thought others might be inspired too – and also it shares a little more about me – and the things I like to do.

Ceri Wheeldon

Ceri is Founder and Editor of Fabafterfifty.co.uk She is a frequent speaker at events and in the media on topics related to women over 50 , including style and living agelessly. With 20+ years experience as a headhunter Ceri also now helps support those looking to extend their working lives.

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