1718 days ago

Decorating Tips for a Shoestring Budget

Robert Anderson from Curtain Clean (The Curtain Store)

Call us optimists, but we think everyone under the sun can, and should, have a beautiful home.
If you're pinching pennies, there's plenty you can do to create a stylish and inviting home for yourself and your friends.

The first step (and this is true no matter where or how you live) is to clean your home and get it organised. Doing those two things alone will drastically improve the quality of your space.

Then, on to decorating. With years of budget decorating behind (and in front of!) us, we've amassed a few helpful tips for 'making house' with a slim wallet.

1. Paint an accent wall

STAND OUT: This one wall, in the home of Melbourne designer Miranda Skoczek, brings something extra-special to her bedroom without going overboard.

Painting your walls is one of the most cost-effective decorative updates you can make to your home. But if you're on a shoestring budget, the two cans of $30 paint it may require to paint your bedroom could very well put you off.

Instead, consider painting an accent wall. One litre (which will cover around 9 square metres) or a 2.5-litre can (which covers up to 24 square metres) is likely all you'll need to cover a single wall, which can make just as much of an impact.



2. Get rid of unsightly items

FIRE THE WIRE: This clever little picket fence, designed by Karl Zahn, provides some fun inspiration for ways you can tidy up all those wires that often dominate the modern day living room.

Before you start worrying about what you can and cannot afford to buy, consider what you should get rid of, or unsightly items that you need to hide.

Dated, worn or damaged items could be doing the look of your home a disservice, and if they're non-essential, removing them can give your home a clean slate.

One of the worst offenders common in rental apartments is vertical blinds. Or how about those not-so-stylish college posters you've been holding on to? Let go, or at least put them in storage.



Keep reading: www.curtainclean.co.nz...

More messages from your neighbours
4 days ago

John Terris former Mayor HCC died 2 Feb 2026 Hutt

Sandra from Normandale

NOW THAT WE HAVE NO LOCAL newspapers.
Message just forwarded - the former Mayor of Lower Hutt John Terris died on Monday 2/2/26.
John was Mayor, MP and councillor [city and regional] over the years giving his all to Lower Hutt and beyond.
RIP John.

22 days ago

Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?

The Team from Neighbourly.co.nz

The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.

Automation (or the “unpaid shift”) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.

We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?

Image
As a customer, what do you think about automation?
  • 9.5% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
    9.5% Complete
  • 43.4% I want to be able to choose.
    43.4% Complete
  • 47.1% Against. I want to deal with people.
    47.1% Complete
2518 votes
J
9 hours ago

Kiwisaver Changes

Jo from Hutt Central

Has your accountant told you about recent changes to KiwiSaver contribution rates and how they may affect wages and payroll calculations?

These updates can have flow-on effects for both employers and employees, and understanding them early helps avoid surprises.

Contact Stephen Larsen or www.stephenlarsenandco.co.nz... for more info