Home series: 5 Budget Friendly Design Tips

Hi guys! Happy Snow Day!!! I wanted to check in and get back on track with the blog! I have finally hired more help!!! It feels so relieving and feels like I can now get back to focusing on what I am good at, and pushing out a few posts that I’ve been sitting on for a while! I’ll do a mini update later on, but for now I am here with five, budget friendly design fixes that I think will really help you if you are looking to refresh your space without spending a ton of $$. Last night on Instagram I asked if there were specifics you guys wanted to see hit the blog this year, and SO many of them were design and decor related. I thought this would be the perfect post to start and hold you over for a little while, while we prepare some more, in depth tips and tricks! If you try any of these, make sure to post them and use the hashtag #allieandjustinhome -I wanna see!!!

1. Simplify your space
This may seem obvious. But even I find myself with things "on display" in my home, that serve absolutely no purpose, functionally or visually. I’m talking about your tupperwear containers that have been stacked on your counter and become a part of your kitchen and the extra phone chargers and extension chords tangled in a big mess in the corner of your living room. Either tossing these items, or putting them in their actual "place" should really make you feel more at ease. Old chairs or side tables that you barely use, store them in the basement for now. Look around the room that you're in, are there things that you could put away that would visually simplify your space? Do it! And take a picture before and after you're done.

2. Add plants
Again, super easy! So many people tell me that they can't have plants because their cats will eat them, get a fake plant! We have a mixture of both in our house, and the fake ones are a lot easier to care for LOL. They add a pop of colour, the real ones clean the air, and they add just a little tiny design element to your space. I usually get my real plants from Cedarcrest Gardens in Saint John, and my fake plants are from Michaels, and Amazon! Some of my favourite planters are from Ikea & I love our concrete planters from Homesense! To add another element, check out the plant stands from Power Designs in Halifax.
A couple ones on amazon that I like are this one, this one and this one.

Yes I know, my plant needs some attention LOL

3. If you can, paint your walls white! Lol
Some people think painting your walls white is overdone, BUT HAVE YOU DONE IT? It is seriously life changing, probably why everyone is doing it. If you have been following along for a while, you might remember Justin's RED walls in the condo. When I moved in they were quickly painted white, and the transformation was simple, and incredible. The entire space was transformed and all of a sudden it was such a nice, bright, happy place to be, with light bouncing around everywhere. We’ve done it in every room in our new home, and I will attach a little before and after of our lime green closet to get an idea LOL. I know painting walls can be a little bit daunting, especially if you aren't into DIY or home renovations, but I promise you it's not as hard as you'd think!! Watch a few videos on YouTube for some tricks, and "don'ts!", then head to Home Hardware! I find moving everything to the centre of the room, and working around it is easiest. And not dragging out the process, try and get it done, start to finish, in a day or 2!
I get so many questions about the white we used for our home, we used Home Hardware's Beauti-Tone line, in Here comes the Bride.

4. Add art!
Adding artwork to a space can also be a way to changing it completely, making it more interesting, and a way to add colour, if you like colour ;). Of course I would love to say you should purchase giant, oversized, local art, but it doesn't need to be like that! Last week I was flipping through one of the coffee table books that I've had for years, and had the urge to rip out one of the pages and throw it in a frame. All week I've been walking by it and feeling happy! It can be simple, and!!!!!! wait for it, create your own art! You can pick up canvas at Michaels, and paint something yourself! That way, it will be the size you want, the colours you want, and you can get as detailed or as abstract as you want!
Little tip: ALWAYS google "Coupons at Michaels" before checking out, most every single time there is a 40% off coupon that is applied to your most expensive item.

5. Update your dining chairs
I mean, I don't know what yours look like, but DO THEY SPARK JOY? They should! It can be a quick fix to a space that may feel a little dull and uninspiring. Ours are from a Canadian company called Wazo Furniture, and I find their geometric designs add subtle texture to the dining room. There can be really inexpensive options from Structube, Ikea or your local Homesense!