How to create a designer home without breaking the bank balance

The peak of South Africa’s design industry is good news for cash strapped households who now have inexpensive options to freshen up their homes with a makeover. Monique Nel, interior designer and showroom manager, as well as graduate of The Independent Institute of Education (The IIE) – Design School Southern Africa (DSSA), explains. DSSA is a brand of The IIE.

According to Stats SA, South Africans have less disposable income in their hands to spend on ‘luxuries’. This is due to the Core Inflation Rate in the country increasing by 5.50 percent in April 2016 compared to the same month in the previous year. A makeover of your home is likely to be at the bottom of your list of priorities when compared to paying off a home bond, vehicle finance, rising food costs, school fees, etc. The list is endless. However, this needn’t be the case. After all, our homes should be a sanctuary from the madness of the world and a space which is reflective of our personalities, ideals and ambitions.

The good news is that the state of interior design in South Africa embraces creativity and diversity that few other countries can boast. Our ground-breaking design implementations have fused a new energy within the industry. Mushrooming cultural nukes and rising markets have cemented more options for the consumer to invest in budget-friendly fixes for an instant update of their homes.

Breaking down your home’s makeover into small decorating projects is an inexpensive way to create something beautiful out of the mundane. I am currently undergoing the same process within my own home and decided to start with my bedroom. Inspired by raw elements, I went in search of neutral colour pallets, exposed wooded furniture, roughly woven baskets and rugs, beautiful natural linens and succulent plants.

Half the fun was shopping around to find the best pricing possible for each item, and I definitely picked up beautiful elements that were within budget. I do however splash out on one feature piece when designing a room, and in most cases this would be my wallpaper. Another trick is to up-cycle and combine old and new items together. Use what you have and add to that, you’ll be amazed at what a lick of paint can do!

Remember to redecorate your home with your family’s lifestyle in mind. Don’t over think and over accessorise but rather just keep it simple. Start with the basics and add in some signature pieces to give the room personality. By adding just a few touches of quaintness or eccentricity with your accessories and artwork you would have created your ideal space.

Luckily institutions such as the DSSA are at the forefront of grooming a new breed of designers who are heeding the call for simple, uncomplicated designs which are responsive to modern day lifestyles. We understand how to save time and money to do the other things we passionately want to pursue.

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