Affordable refreshes

A few budget tweaks can be all you need to spruce up your home

If the current economic climate is making you feel nervous about taking on a full renovation, a tickle-up of what you've already got, or can pick up affordably, will breathe new life into your home.

INSIDE YOUR HOME

Mouldy bathrooms

Nothing looks more gross than a mouldy shower but before you rip it out, consider replacing the mouldy silicone instead. This will require you to skip using it for a few days but it'll be worth it to get some fresh new silicone in. Same goes for the silicone around your bath, vanity, basin sink or anywhere else you can find it.

Watermarked tapware

If your tapware is looking cloudy and old, give it a new lease of life with a copper cloth and some cleaning paste. Chrome tapware, in particular, can look grim after a while, but with some elbow grease and the right products you can get it looking shiny and new again.

Modernise light fittings

It's surprising what a can of metal primer and some enamel will do to a light fitting. Bathroom or kitchen fixtures that were once chrome and are now gold, white, black or any other colour you can think of, can transform a space. Swapping out pendant shades can also elevate ceiling lights and can be done cheaply. Opt for something like a paper lantern shade these are neutral in appearance and suit most homes.

Upcycle furniture