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The DIY Decorator’s top 5 budget decorating tips

By Amy Collins-Walker •

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Since its inception in 2015 The DIY Decorator has amassed an impressive online following. Almost 90k people tune into Perth-based interior decorator Zoe Gilpin’s Insta-feed and blog to take advantage of her keen eye for bargains and learn how to style fabulous spaces on a budget – rooms that look a lot more expensive than they are. Today, Zoe shares her top five tips on how to create stylish spaces without breaking the bank.

Styled by Zoe, this bedroom look was created entirely from Target wares
Styled by Zoe, all of the items in this room are from Target. The Easycraft wall panels from Bunnings were a DIY project that Zoe undertook.

Shop smart: Plan before you spend
“
Going into a home decorating project without a plan can be costly,” says Zoe who thinks it’s worth spending time creating a digital mood board to this end. “Planning exactly what you need not only helps you stay within budget but avoids having to return or swap items that aren’t working in the scheme,” says Zoe.

A moodboard by Zoe
A moodboard by Zoe

And while it sounds like strange advice when budget is top of mind, you should refrain from buying too much in the first instance. Start with bare minimum of items and work up from there – as is often the case, less really is more “Minimal often works best. My tip is to work out what each large furniture item needs. For example, how many cushions does the sofa need? Or how many decorative items should sit on the entertainment unit?” says Zoe.

A Kmart bedside looks rather luxe when paired with a Beacon Lighting lamp and a piece of Darren Palmer Collection coral from Myer
A Kmart bedside looks rather luxe when paired with a Beacon Lighting lamp and a piece of Darren Palmer Collection coral from Myer

Mix pricier items with budget ones
Like the savviest of fashion girls, Zoe is a fan of mixing high-end pieces with high-street finds and even second-hand pieces. “This is my top tip for creating your own unique style that suits your home and doesn’t look like a copy of a catalogue,” says Zoe.

“An interior created with items from all walks of life – designer, budget and small business – tells a far more interesting tale,” says Zoe who explains that this technique is a great way to balance the books too. “Spent too much on that coffee table? Even out the budget by spending less on the items to go on it,” says Zoe.

Zoe salvaged this cane chair from the side of the road and the cane chest from a second hand store. The rug, plants and planters are from Bunnings.
Zoe salvaged this cane chair from the side of the road and the cane chest from a second hand store. The rug, plants and planters are from Bunnings.

Spend on larger items & save on smaller ones
When it comes to dividing up your funds, it’s best to channel more of your dollars towards the larger items – think furniture pieces such as beds, sofas and dining suites. Not only do cheaper products usually not stand the test of time, but quality pieces have a greater resale value.

Conversely, Zoe advises spending less on the smaller finishing touches. “To save a few dollars, opt for cheaper products when it comes to items such as vases, cushions and lamps. These items don’t get used and are simply to look at, so their quality isn’t as important,” says Zoe.

Top tip: Upgrade an inexpensive cushion by swapping out the original insert with a feather one for an instantly more luxe result.

Embrace DIY
Given the name of Zoe’s blog, it’s no surprise that she’s a big proponent of DIY and not only do they impart a sense of achievement, but they are a great way to save a few dollars too.

Again, Zoe recommends browsing second hand stores, scrolling Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree to find unique items and give them a second life. “Whether it be a paint project or an upholstery project, it only takes a few inexpensive products from a craft or hardware store to help you create your DIY masterpiece,” says Zoe.

This bedroom features a black Kmart mirror that Zoe painted gold to suit the scheme
This bedroom features a black Kmart mirror that Zoe painted gold to suit the scheme

Go green
That the explosion of indoor greenery took place at a similar time to a global economic downturn is no coincidence. A pop of greenery is a fabulous, inexpensive way to really lift a room.

Greenery styled by Zoe
Greenery styled by Zoe

“Buying a nice plant, large or small, and popping it in to a planter that suits your home decor style, instantly adds life to a room. If you like a more natural look consider housing your plants in decorative baskets. When it comes to choosing the plant, it can be a simple green leaf plant or something with flowers,” says Zoe who cites easy-care plants such as devil’s ivy, giant elephant ears and rubber plants as some of her favourites.

Zoe Gilpin
Zoe Gilpin

Photography: Zoe Gilpin

For more on The DIY Decorator | Budget DIY ideas: Our six most popular posts!

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August 13, 2019

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First time EVER I've woken up at home without thes First time EVER I've woken up at home without these two here (since they were born anyway!) and I don't mind admitting I don't like it one bit!

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All the details on the homepage now via link in bio.

This is giving me Christmas table inspo. How do you decorate your Christmas table? Growing up in the UK it was always traditional green and red but here I go all out fresh and summery!

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Colour hug, anyone?! A collaboration with design Colour hug, anyone?!

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See the rest of the colour forecast, include collabs with @adairs and TikTok favourites @joshandmattdesign on the blog homepage now, via link in bio.

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Read our chat with Adoni and see more of his gorgeous work via link in bio now.

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Pink and green should always be seen! From time t Pink and green should always be seen!

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Head to the homepage via link in bio to read about this home and see more colourful pictures in an extract.

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One question that kept coming up was just how important is the butler's pantry? Love to hear your thoughts. Do you have one? And which was your favourite last night? Please share in the comments.

Head to the blog via link in bio to find out who won and what the judges said. 

#theblock #theblockshop #blockshopper #theblockroomreveals #kitchenweek #kitchenpalette #kitchencabinetry #kitchenstyles
Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylis Located in Melbourne’s Elsternwick, this stylish home was renovated recently with @keenarchitecture and @studio_esar at the helm. Brimming with fun, functionality and colour, the home is shared by ex MasterChef contestant Peter Kritikides, his wife Erica and their two children. 

Occupied by the family since 2015, the renovation brief called for a sympathetic yet modern upgrade to the heritage listed original home as well as the demolition and rebuild of the back of the residence.

Want to see the kitchen? Head to the blog via link in bio.

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Which was your fave?

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Amy Collins-Walker

About Amy Collins-Walker

Amy is our regular feature writer, an experienced journalist and interior stylist living in Perth, Western Australia. Find out more about her styling work at http://www.amycollinswalker.com/

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