DIY You can have a stylish home on a budget!

Think Factory Outlet Stores

Check your local paper and the internet for your nearest Factory Outlet stores, you can often pick up incredible bargains and great quality.  Anything from electrical items, to furniture, to quality bedding etc. can often be bought at a fraction of the full retail price.  For example Dartingtons Glass have a shop in Devon where you can buy very individual handmade glass items from vases to paperweights to drinking glasses.  You will often find some stunning glassware here.

Think Markets - Think Style - You don't have to spend a fortune.

Visit Car Boot Sales, Markets, Junk Shops, Antique Fairs and find great bargains that can be adapted to make stylish items for your beautiful home.  It is easy to pick up a mirror at a Car Boot Sale, just paint the frame to co-ordinate with your interior and add style to your home.  Previously owned furniture can be painted to match, add new handles and you can have a very individual piece that will enhance your home for a very small outlay.  Cut glass handles can make a piece of furniture look very expensive and they reflect the light. 

Buy pieces of fabric and trimmings make your own individual cushions or curtains.  Secondhand curtains can be enhanced by adding trimmings such as briad, ribbon or fringing in a toning shade, be creative and go for colour on curtains and cushions. 

Great Manuals at Great Prices - Learn New Skills

Decorating Party

Have a decorating party, get all your friends and family together to help.  Make masses of hot soup to keep them going, enjoy your time together and have a laugh.

Do a Course at your local College

If you are particularly good at diy offer your services and earn some money.  If you enjoy diy but feel your skills need a bit of help before you can do work for others then attend a course at your local college and get started.

Shop around on the internet for materials and equipment. 

We have found that Screwfix are particularly good, their prices are excellent, often considerably cheaper than the big diy sheds.  The items that we bought were less than half the price.  They supply trade and public with equipment, power tools, electrical , plumbing   supplies and much more, well worth checking out for great deals and bargain prices:-

Another shop with really good bargains galore for around the home is Ikea, and their quality is generally excellent, very good value for money.

Try Ebay for furniture, there are some amazing bargains.  Most furniture on ebay is for local pick up only so be careful before you bid, make sure you can pick it up from the seller without too much expense.

Good Quality Tools and Equipment

When painting always buy good quality brushes and clean them really well after use.  They will give a better finish and last for years if looked after properly.  Cheap brushes tend to leave bristles in your paintwork, beware.

IF YOU NEED WORK DONE ALWAYS GET AT LEAST 3 QUOTES

PRICES CAN VARY CONSIDERABLY, YOU WILL BE SURPRISED.

CURTAINS

Buy a good, instructive book and learn to make your own curtains.  Beautiful handmade curtains can be made for a fraction of the cost.  Alternatively there are agencies who sell secondhand curtains, but do check carefully for fading.  You could also try looking on ebay for curtains and or fabric.

Make your own Soft Furnishings or re-upholster a beautiful old chair - BOOKS ON DIY, SEWING, MAKING CURTAINS, EMBROIDERY AND OTHER AMAZING SKILLS ARE AVAILABLE IN MY SHOP.

Visit your local Auction Rooms or Antique Centres

Beautiful old furniture can be bought from your local auction rooms, quite often inexpensive old Wardrobes and Chests of Draws can be bought and painted to match your decoration.  Often very large, dark wardrobes can be greatly improved with an Ivory Eggshell Paint and perhaps some subtle guilding, plus a little aging on the paint finish.