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3 ways to transform your room for $300, $500 or $1,000

By Jen Bishop • 1 Comment

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Sponsored by American Express 

I truly believe that it doesn’t have to cost a fortune to make big changes in your home, which will not only make it look great but also make you love coming home to your own personal space at the end of the day. If we don’t feel happy in our homes because a room isn’t feeling quite right, finished or cosy, this can have a real impact on our lifestyle.

Today, I want to show you how you can transform your room on three different budgets. For the purposes of this piece, I’m focusing on the living room, but all these tips can apply just as easily to a bedroom too.

The thrifty $300 makeover

Maybe men don’t get it, but you can never have enough cushions! Adding or changing the covers of your cushions is one of the easiest and best value ways to inject not only the latest interior trends, but also much-needed colour, texture, pattern, layers or interest. Or even all of the above! As the lounge is usually the hero of a living room (perhaps styled to perfection with the statement coffee table in front of it), leaving it naked (shock horror!) is just a waste in my book!

Image source: Le Marc. Click for more.

There are no set rules for how many cushions and what sizes, and different interior designers will tell you different things, but what’s most important is to make sure they’re appropriate for the furniture they’re sitting on. A tiny two-seater can probably only get away with two cushions, whereas a sprawling modular can take as many as 10! In my opinion it’s great to mix up colours, materials and shapes (not all cushions are square!). If you love a more orderly, symmetrical look, pair them up and have say two pairs of two on either end of the sofa.

One of my favourite places to buy cushions online is Bonnie and Neil. If you have some spare change from your $300, spend it on some fresh flowers and a beautiful hardback book or two for the coffee table.

The $500 investment piece

Perhaps you’ve already got the basics covered and now you want something to take your room to the next level? Well, you can never go wrong with art. Don’t be afraid of it! Art in galleries is of course out of many of our budgets or requires some serious saving up for (and I’m not saying you shouldn’t). But you can get something amazing for your wall that isn’t the same-old-same-old mass-produced canvas everyone else has (you know the ones I’m talking about!). Somewhere in the middle of cheap and expensive, there are some great ways to add to wow to your walls for around the $500 mark. You just need to know where to look.

Image source: Antoinette Ferwerda. Click for more.
Image source: Antoinette Ferwerda. Click for more.

I’m certainly not snobby enough to say you should turn your nose up at printed canvases but my top tip is to buy one box framed. This will immediately make it look much more impressive and expensive. My favourite online destination for a framed canvas print is Urban Road. They have some amazing designs. The framed canvas in my living room is from there and everyone comments on it! You can also look at hand painted canvases from places like United Interiors.

Another great way to spend $500 on art is to get a signed limited edition print from a local artist (I have ones by Ali McNabney-Stevens and Antoinette Ferwerda) and have it framed (beware this can easily cost as much, or more, as the print itself, so choose carefully).

The $1,000 game changer

I can never say it enough times: buy the biggest rug that you can afford and that your room can comfortably take. If there’s one mistake people make with decorating a lot, it’s buying a rug too small and arranging their furniture around it. Believe me when I tell you a gorgeous and appropriately sized rug can completely and utterly lift and transform your room. Not only is it a large piece, it’s like art for your floor. Or, if you go for a more neutral option, like sisal, it adds welcome texture. But most of it all, it will pull everything else in your room together and make it feel cohesive. Rugs have special powers, you know. They can anchor furniture, zone open-plan spaces, make your floor much softer and more comfortable to sit or lie on, and add a much-needed extra layer. You should try and have at least some of all of your furniture on the rug, not around it.

Image source: west elm. Click for more.
Image source: west elm. Click for more.

Large, beautiful rugs do not come cheap (which is why many people settle for something too small) so expect to pay between $500 and $1000 for a large, good quality rug (and much much more if your budget will stretch). One of my favourite shops to buy great large rugs is west elm.

Not got the cash right now but raring to get started on transforming your room?

In response to research showing interest-free payment plans are popular with customers, American Express, the game changers in the credit card space, have developed Pay Your Way. In an Australian first for a credit card issuer, it gives American Express issued Card Members the flexibility to spread payments for large purchases over monthly instalments at 0% per annum. All you pay is a small setup fee and what’s more, you can still earn rewards with these purchases.

So, if you want to get your living room perfect before family and friends descend over the Christmas period, this option could give you the flexibility to do so, and pay it back over your chosen period (3, 6 or 12 months) with no interest. You can even cancel an instalment plan at any time with no penalty.

For example, you could buy this divine west elm rug for $899 and pay over 6 months for a one-off 3% fee (just $26.97).

Terms and conditions apply. For more information.

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November 14, 2016

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SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛 Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing 😂 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag 👌🏻

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too 🍿 because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Last week we interviewed chalk paint pioneer Annie Sloan from her UK base about colour and Aussies' relationship with it. (And how's this for a before & after kitchen?! 😍)

Annie’s latest green hue, Coolabah Green, is inspired by the Eucalyptus trees of her childhood (did you know she was born in Sydney?). “I made it in tribute to Australia and I’m thrilled to say that’s been really popular both here in the UK and in Australia. It’s a kind of smoky, silvery sage green that’s very easy to work with and would complement accents of Amsterdam Green deliciously.”

Sales stats show Aussies are all about greens while elsewhere in the world greys and blues are more popular from her range. So tell me, are you a green lover?

Head to the blog to read Annie's thoughts on upcycling furniture and more. Via link in bio.

#chalkpaint #chalkpainted #chalkpainting #chalkpaintfurniture #chalkpaintlove #chalkpaintmakeover #anniesloanchalkpaint #anniesloanhome #anniesloanpaint #paintedkitchencabinets #paintedkitchen #paintedkitchens #upcycler #upcyclers #upcyclersofinstagram #upcycledfurniture #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #anniesloan #greenkitchencabinets #greenkitchens #greenpaint #coolabahgreen #coolabah
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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Comments

  1. AvatarMira Krulic says

    November 16, 2016 at 12:59 pm

    Totally, agree with you about the art Jen. There is so much original work out there that you can buy that is not that expensive. We need to support artists who work hard to create art and make a living. It breaks my heart when I hear of people going to Bali to buy reproductions or so called “original” oil paintings made by workers in Chinese sweat shops. If you are buying art you need to make a connection with the artist as well as the work.

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