How to transform your home on a budget 

by | Jun 13, 2025 | Local Comment

By Qashish Dhiraj Mehta 

Giving your apartment a makeover can feel like a uphill task. With a limited budget and limited space, every piece of furniture, every decoration, and every storage solution has to work overtime.

But here’s the good news: a tight pocket doesn’t necessarily mean sacrificing style or functionality. With a little creativity, you can transform your humble abode into a space that’s as practical as it is beautiful.

Let’s look at some fun, easy, pocket friendly ways to tweak your apartment and give it a new lease of life. 

Mirrors: Mirrors in unique shapes and sizes are trending for good reason. They’re easy to use and even easier to clean. You’ll find them everywhere from IKea to Matalan to ASDA. They make spaces appear larger than they already are. You can choose a style that suits your personality. 

Wall paper: I’m so glad this trend is back and here to stay. Jazz up a boring corner with a wall paper of your choice, from floral prints to bold colors to animal prints, there’s something for everyone. Wall paper definitely adds character to a room and it’s so easy to remove or change. 

Curtains: Whether it’s the lacey ones or the ones with block print, they add a hint of coziness to a room. Choosing the right color is important though. I love a lil bit of sunshine in my home so the black out ones are a complete no- no for me. Yellows with reds, greens with pinks are the hottest color combos right now. If you’re like me and you like to keep it classic, stick with a pastel shade with laces adorning the borders. 

Wall art: I love decorating walls, they speak volumes about the people who occupy the home. From family photos to your fav travel destination, it’s a perfect way of describing who you really are. My friend Susan, for one, loves to collect artwork from all her travels. Big concern for tenants, can’t drill holes, you get the best double sided tape on Amazon that holds those frames tight and in their place. Art is also a great conversation starter. 

Cushions and bedcovers: It’s amazing how much difference a switch of cushion covers can bring to your living area or a change of bedsheets can liven up your sleeping space. Recently spotted some gorgeous embroidered cushion covers at Matalan, of course I picked up a set of 4. Since my home is a toddler home, I’m careful about my color choices, I tend to oscillate towards darker shades as they’re easy to maintain. 

Lighting: In the mood for some alone time or a romantic date with your partner, take out those candles that you picked up during the last sale and are now gathering dust at the back of your drawers. Candles have a beautiful way of playing with your mood and senses. Choose a smell of your choice, from vanilla to lavender you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

Hack: Choose incense sticks, they’re much more economical and come in a variety of fragrances. 

Whatever maybe your style; contemporary, vintage or boho and whatever maybe your budget, home is where you put up your feet and forget the worries of the world. 

Your home should comfort you and make you feel great about yourself. 

No wonder it is said, ‘Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling’. 

Messy Dash Makes a Big Impact- Local Families and Supporters Raise £21,000 for We Are Beams

In an explosion of colour, laughter, and community spirit, over 1,000 participants took part in the We Are Beams Messy Dash on Sunday 6th July, raising an outstanding £21,000 to support disabled children and their families. Held at Dartford...

Ben Portsmouth brings the ULTIMATE Elvis experience to Orchard West on Sunday, 31st August

Ben is not just a tribute artist; he is the real deal, being regarded as the closest living performer to the legendary Elvis Presley. With global success in over 20 countries, Ben Portsmouth brings energy, passion and authenticity in a way that no one else can...

HAMILTON’S CLEVE SEPTEMBER RETURNS IN TITLE ROLE OF ALADDIN AT ORCHARD WEST THIS CHRISTMAS

Having won Dartford audiences over in his performance in panto last year at Orchard West, the Olivier Award-nominated Cleve September is set to return this season in the title role of Aladdin. Cleve will take centre stage alongside the previously announced TV...

Two days of entertainment and activity coming to Dartford

Get ready for two days of incredible entertainment as the Big Day Out weekend returns to Dartford’s Central Park on 12-13 July, bringing with it live music, vintage steam vehicles, family-friendly activities, and more – all completely free! Saturday will kick-off with...

FIND DARTFORD’S JASMINE

OPEN AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED!Your Chance to Shine in This Year’s Magical Pantomime Aladdin! Orchard West and Imagine Theatre are on the lookout for a shining star as they launch open auditions toFIND DARTFORD’S JASMINE! Aspiring performers are invited to attend auditions...

New social supermarket opens in Dartford

Dartford Larder, a new social supermarket designed to provide an alternative to Foodbanks, has officially opened in Dartford. Situated in Copperfields Walk, Dartford Larder aims to: provide an affordable shopping experience, tackle food insecurity, and resolve food...

WALKING WITH THE DARTS | JUNE-JULY EDITION

Hello again, welcome to another edition of Walking With The Darts, a monthly update on all things related to Dartford FC, courtesy of Dartford Living Magazine. Before I begin, please accept my sincere apologies for the lack of content recently. It has been a hectic...

Your Plans, Our Support: How Wave Community Bank support the local community with affordable loans

Life in Dartford and the surrounding areas often brings new opportunities and unexpected needs. Whether you're dreaming of solar panels on your roof to cut energy bills, need a new car for the daily commute, or simply require a smaller loan to by a...

Why Your Savings Belong at Wave Community Bank (Especially if You’re in Dartford!)

When it comes to stashing away your hard-earned money, you've got options. Big banks, online-only institutions, and then there's your local credit union. While the giants often grab the headlines, there's a compelling case to be made for choosing a credit union...

Celebrating the legacy of the Darent Valley Landscape Partnership Scheme

£4 million invested over seven years in one of Kent’s most historic and biodiverse river valleys More than 40 conservation and heritage projects completed in the Darent Valley, across Sevenoaks and Dartford districts. More than 4,000 people took part in community...