When it comes to finding new ideas for our homes, many of us now head straight to Pinterest. This is where the most stylish ideas lay in wait, and there’s nothing better for getting the home inspiration flowing. If you’re anything like most, you probably have at least a board or two filled with stuff that you’d love to do or decor you’d adore being surrounded by.
The trouble is that, as of yet, you haven’t made any efforts to bring your Pinterest home ideas to fruition. That’s because you assume you don’t have the budget. Every homeowner knows, after all, that getting a space right comes with a price. And, as can be seen on pins which break down costs, not all of us can jump into the latest trend without worry. Or can we?
Admittedly, you will need to go careful here. Pinterest is great, but pins are often designed with advertising specific pricey products in mind. Not to mention that trends on sites like this change pretty fast. The last thing you want is to spend your savings on a style which is nowhere to be seen in six months.
But, you might not have to hold back on your Pinterest dreams altogether. It is possible to use this inspiration and apply it to your budget. No one said it was going to be easy, but if you can’t get that dream home pin out of your mind, consider the following ways to make it happen for less.
Upcycle instead of buying new
Upcycling is one of the best low-cost interior design ideas, and it could see you enjoying the latest Pinterest home trends for less than half the cost. There’s no need to buy those cabinets you saw on Pinterest new, or even to invest in a brand new sofa to make a style suit. Instead, you can upcycle which, funnily enough, is yet another Pinterest fashion.
Luckily, we live in an age where there are more ways to upcycle than ever. There is, of course, the traditional option of using the furniture you’ve got to create that new look you desire. Sanding down your old cabinets and whitewashing them for that distressed look could save you thousands and still achieve the ideal shabby-chic Pinterest image. Even re-covering your old sofa could see you enjoying a cheap alternative to the pricey yellow suede, everyone seems to love so much right now.
If you wanted, you could even upcycle in more modern ways. Options like Gumtree and Facebook marketplace are now the ultimate upcycling tools. You can just get online and find free or cheap furniture which could do the job with a little TLC. If you have a clear Pinterest interior in mind, you could get every single thing that you need this way, with minimal cost to you.
Do it yourself
Along the same vein, you could always approach your Pinterest inspo with a DIY attitude. A lot of the interiors on Pinterest right now have done it yourself elements if you look for them. Even if a project seems like it needs expensive professional work, you can probably find your own solutions.
Take the home storage solutions that are such hot stuff on Pinterest right now. Sure, those cabinets might cost you a few hundred, but is that necessary? Stocking up on some plywood and paint might mean you can achieve the same look yourself. Equally, those wonderful Pinterest window seats are often easy enough to make by hand.
This solution gets even better when you consider that, as well as being fantastic for inspiration, Pinterest is a go-to for many a DIY solution. As such, you could find a step-by-step guide to achieve your interior dreams just by setting up a new board to go alongside your decor saves. That’s what we call a one-stop-shop to save money without compromising on your space.
Find easy flooring solutions
It’s fair to say that carpet is somewhat out of style, especially on sites like Pinterest. Instead, it’s all about colorful tiles and rustic wood flooring. The trouble is that going for the real deal on these can be incredibly expensive. Those bright hexagonal tiles Pinterest is going crazy for, for instance, are sure to set you back a big chunk per piece. And that’s before you even consider the cost of professional installation and so forth. Authentic wooden flooring is another significant drain on anyone’s bank account, with each plank costing an arm and a leg, and professional installation necessary.
The good news is that there are cheap alternatives to these options if you know where to look for them. Lino is a fantastic alternative to tiles, and can often achieve the same appearance. If you shop around, you can probably even find a replica of those Pinterest tiles you’ve been eyeing. Even better, lino flooring is easy to install yourself, meaning that you can make further savings on this option.
Real wood flooring isn’t the only way to get the look you’re after, either. There are now plenty of laminates on the market which look so authentic that few guests would even be able to tell the difference. These cost a substantial amount less per pack and are also easier to install by yourself with a little know-how and the right tools. If even laminate is above your price point, it’s worth noting that you can now buy pretty convincing wood-effect vinyl floors. These could save you a fortune and still look fantastic.
Seek new ways to install that fireplace
We love a fireplace over on Pinterest, and you may well have been eyeing all those beautiful fire set-ups with envy for a while now. The trouble is that, as home additions go, getting an entire chimney stack in your home is right at the top in terms of price. In some new homes, this won’t even be an option. But, that doesn’t mean you need to go without for the rest of your time in this property.
Gas fires with fake flames are an obvious option here, with many wall-mounted solutions passing muster as a real fire. You’ll even be able to enjoy the visual of those flickering fabric flames! And, of course, a gas fire brings all the heat that a real one does.
If fabric flames don’t quite cut it for you, you could always opt for the magic that is ethanol fireplaces. This is about the only way you can get real flames without having to install a chimney or clean up mucky ashes every time you use it. Instead, fires like these create mess-free flames using bioethanol. Not only can this ensure your fireplace is forever as clean as the ones you see on Pinterest, but it can also save you a fortune in chimney installation costs.
Remember that less is more
Lastly, you need to remember that less is more in the majority of Pinterest homes. This is the platform which is mainly behind the minimalist craze, after all. While you may focus on those expensive few ornaments or fantastic plant pots, then, it’s also essential to look at the bigger picture. Far from giving you a reason to spend money, many Pinterest styles simply require you to slimline the possessions you’ve got. Without spending a penny, then, it may be possible to imitate even those styles which seem the most out of reach. You just need to look at the whole, instead of focusing on individual features!
