How To Create A Boho Look On A Budget
Bohemian chic is a style that has taken rooms across the globe by storm and is a very fine art to perfect. The whole idea of boho is that it is purposefully unconventional and creative, just like the people who live under that roof. You can include simple features such as strange and wonderful statuettes to large American style road signs. It’s a much more subtle alternative to the bold statements of kitsch and more quirky than the clean lines of modernism. Achieving such a popular look need not break the bank as it can easily be done on a shoestring budget. Here we look at just some of the things you can do to get you boho on the cheap.
Raid The Charity Shops
There used to be a lot of stigma behind charity shops as they were simply seen as places for old ladies to get new foot scrubbers and woolly jumpers. Now? It’s one of the best places to go for random gems. Popular items you can find in most charity shops include vases, figurines and novelty wooden boxes. These things can really liven up a bog standard room and give it much more personality and vibrancy.
Go To Local Boot Sales
Car boot sales are always a promising prospect as a number of sellers are into antiques and vintage goods such as furnishings like lamps and wall hangers such as paintings. Because you’re dealing with your purchases one on one you have the chance to haggle your way down to a more manageable price. If you’re particularly good at it you can always create one or two bundle deals. It’s also a good opportunity to befriend them as they may have some handy contacts.
Consider Some Hand Me Downs
Almost everyone has an attic or shed full of nana’s old treasures, and many items get ignored for months, even years. You’d be surprised just how many vintage pieces you or a friend has that can either be vamped or displayed as is. Not only is this good for the pocket, but ethically it’s one of the nicest ways to style your home. You can also hang on to said items for a generation or two to come.
Visit An Auction Or Two
If you’re a serious fanatic of older items in peak condition then you can always try your luck at the local auction houses. Just because some people at these events can spend figures into their thousands doesn’t mean to say there aren’t items going for pennies. Small trinket type pieces are a hit with most auctions, as well as large furnishings such as cabinets and tables.
For more ideas on how to style your own home or to see what others have done with theirs why not look around online for inspiration and guidance.
Great Space Adding Illusions For Small Rooms
When it comes to properties we, or someone we know, always has that one room that gets filled in seconds and it’s hard to find a good purpose for it. If you’re particularly unfortunate you might even have a small living area which can make communal activities hard. Well not to fear as over the years many bright sparks have come up with some neat tricks and ideas to turn your tiny space into a moderate dwelling without knocking any walls down. Here we’ll look at just a few of these tricks.
A Mirage Of Mirrors
It’s almost common knowledge, but there are still some people who haven’t taken full advantage of this technique. The idea is simply to place mirrors in one or two carefully selected places to give your room the appearance of more depth. Not only does this work in the day to day home but this has also been used by a number of businesses.
Hidden In Plain Sight
Storage has gotten rather clever in the last couple of decades, and it’s now easier than ever to hide all your lovely goods safely and securely. The way things can be stored vary from under the stairs cubby holes to secret sofa space. The benefit is that not only is all your precious stuff still close to hand but it opens up the room tenfold.
Half Painted Walls Look Tall
If you’re struggling to make space from side to side, try looking up. Your walls are the biggest and best canvas at your disposal and can help you add more height simply by being painted half or part way up the wall. This break in colours gives the illusion of a taller wall in an instant, and is so easy to put together. It gives the space a whole new life of its own.
Undress Your Windows
The reason why many small rooms look just so is because there isn’t enough light coming in from the outside. The solution? Leave them exposed. Curtains can sometimes look quite bulky so getting rid altogether will definitely make the room more appealing. If, however, you’re not keen on the neighbours knowing you too much then net curtains will do just fine.
The Art Of Multitasking
The great thing about some items of furniture is that they can have more than one role within the room. For instance, your coffee table to have extra draws, your sofa could fold out into a bed, your footstall could make a nice sturdy side table and so on. Creating more function in certain furnishings can free the space up a little more than you think.
Pest Preventatives For Your Property
We never like to have intruders in our humble homes, and some people may have some without even knowing. Dealing with pests in the house can be a huge annoyance for many house owners, and many of them can do significant damage to your fixtures if left untreated, leaving you forking out several pretty pennies on your property. This is especially unideal if you’re looking to sell up. So, what should you be doing to resolve this issue? Here we have a few examples of tricks and tips to ensure your home isn’t raided by roaches or lumbered with lice.
Examine Your Nooks And Crannies
Bugs love to get into all the tiny spaces we tend not to send look as they are big fans of the dark, and many of them tend to naturally borrow in the wild. A handful of them also like damp areas such as bathrooms or kitchens to it’s also worth checking there are no loose drips in the house that are encouraging them to come in. Be sure to check that the whole property is air tight especially if you own an older property. Many aged structures will have drafts caused by cracking or poor sealing, so windowsills and areas where there is lots of piping are at risk. A quick reseal can make all the difference.
Troubleshoot Your Trash Habits
Now we’re not talking boxes and plastic cups here, we’re talking about all the more raw earthy materials that most critters love to call home. This includes leftover veggies, meats, fruits, dead flowers etc. Bugs are smarter than you think, and if you have a particularly wiffy big bag lying around the chances are the bugs will smell it and want to get to it. The easiest solution to this is simply to have a small compost bin in the kitchen or a large one in the garden. If however you don’t have a compost bin just make sure you wrap your perishables in small plastic bag before throwing it in the trash.
Give The Local Critters Some Help
There is quite the stigma surrounding all things small as a lot of them are seen as icky or dirty. The vast majority of people would only think to kill those that grace their homes, but that won’t stop others from finding their way in. If you want to be a bit more of an eco-warrior and have the time to help then you can always create safe havens in your garden such as wood piles or dirt mounds to deter them away from your humble home. Not only does this keep your property safe but also ensures your tiny friends still have somewhere to go, and also stabilises their own local population.
If In Doubt Call The Experts
If you’ve had a good look around and you’re not liking what you see then it’s time to let the professionals take over and bring back your home to its previous standard. Be sure to tell them exactly what breed of insects are bugging you if you can as some formulas of repellent or poison work better than others. The experts should also be able to track exactly where the pests are coming in and advice you as to how to fix it. It might cost you a bit of a fee, but to ensure your house is completely critter free it’s very much worth it.