You just became the proud owner of a three bedroom BTO HDB flat in Singapore and you want to convert your house into a home or you want to maximise the flat’s appeal to increase its resale value.
This can be easily done by working on the given space’s tone, theme and décor. The fact is that designing your interior to perfection may require a considerable amount of money and if you have budget constraints, then many aspects of your vision may not become a reality.
The good thing is that regardless of how expensive things may seem, there are many ways to lower your costs and get the makeover you want within a budget.
So, let’s shed light on how to beautify your house without lowering your expectations and at the same time, help you save thousands of dollars.
Divide The Renovation Process
Simply divide the overall work into different phases as per urgency, requirement and significance. Though everything may seem important, some tasks can supersede others – this will help you align your finances in a way that mandatory requirements are fulfilled without any hassle.
For instance, tearing down a wall, getting all the electric wiring done, etc. are tasks that need to be carried out before buying a new coffee table.
Vinyl Flooring Is A Great Option
If you choose options like marble or tiles for your floor, your budget can go way overboard; instead you should consider vinyl flooring.
The plastic and glossy exterior makes it easy to clean, plus you get a wide variety of designs to choose from that matches your furnishing.
The major plus point is that you don’t have to scrape off the prior flooring; vinyl can stick to any surface.
Have a Minimalistic Approach To Your House’s Fixtures And Fittings
A good choice to save money is to choose linear and minimalist designs instead of unique and odd carpentry, such as circular showcases and TV stands.
Though these unique designs can be quite appealing to the eyes, they also often with a higher price tag.
Keep Money Aside For Unexpected Costs
If you are refurbishing a resale unit, there can be many unforeseen costs that may come forward as you progress. Though they might seem small initially, you may be looking at a considerable increase in your overall costs.
For instance, removing old air-con fittings and adding new ones or removing old switchboards, doorknobs, etc. can combine to become quite expensive.
To ensure that you don’t end up dreading the accumulated costs, a safe bet would be to keep aside some funds to account for unexpected expenses.
Paint Walls Instead Of Picking Out Frames And Wallpapers
Choosing wallpapers, stonework or tiles for your walls can also lead you to go over budget; instead, an excellent option is to paint them. It is easy to maintain, costs less and you can make it unique by using different designs and stencils.
Install The Right Amount Of Lights
A bright room can highlight your home’s aesthetics – but putting in all those extra lights can be expensive and also lead to higher electric bills.
Instead, you should install the bare necessary lights and brighten your house by keeping light-coloured walls – it is also a great idea to use natural light to your advantage with the help of mirrors.
You just have to be creative; for instance, put frames and paintings near windows to reflect the incoming light.
Tearing down walls can be quite costly and if you want to make a wise investment choice, then it is better to disregard this plan.
Remember, hacking a wall halfway can be more costly as it requires more manpower and materials – the wall is torn down and rebuilt to half size.
The bottom line is that no matter how tight your budget is, you have many options to put a positive spin on your living space. You just have to set limits and be cautious that you do not surpass them. End of the day, your vision can be made into a reality without burning a hole in your pocket.
