Interiors

Sinead Kelly gives us some tips on how to keep furnishing costs down.

A designer look on a first-time buyer's budget

Interior designers often spend more time trying to save money than spend it - and I bet you think that's a joke! The truth of the matter lies in an investor-driven market. With many clients today buying investment properties to let, the brief is always to keep the furnishings at a minimum cost, yet create an attractive space! So for investors and first-time buyers, here are some tips to prevent spending another mortgage on the furnishings:

• Flooring will be one of the biggest expenses for a new property. Tiling and solid wood floors are most expensive, due to the high labour costs of fitting. The cheapest way to floor is to lay laminate in the high-maintenance areas (i.e. kitchen) and carpet all other areas. Carpet has the advantage of noise reduction and comfort. Choose darker chocolate and biscuit colours rather than sand and cream - deeper colours will last longer.



• Shop around. Just because your property may be in Dublin or its suburbs, doesn't mean that you have to use local retailers. Experience has proven that by heading further a field, you can reap great rewards. Suppliers from Cavan, Kilkenny, Wexford and Tipperary welcome Dublin business. Take the time to get approximate measurements and take a Saturday trip that may save you thousands.



• Don't pass the pine shops! I know, shiny orange pine is one of my pet hates too, but when I'm on a budget I will buy bedside lockers, wardrobes, tables, etc., and have them painted in rich, neutral shades. A light sanding, two coats of primer and satinwood, and your piece of pine will look amazing. Hang a small tassel from the drawer or door and your €75 locker is now looking as good as one that could set you back €350. • One wall covered in wallpaper (two or three rolls is the most you will need) provides a touch of glamour for less than €100. The wall behind a bed or a landing wall is especially apt for covering.



• Look out for pashminas and scarves. A pashmina makes for a fabulous bed runner when placed at the bottom of a bed dressed in crisp, white bed linen. Argos and Dunnes, nationwide, have fantastic value in white bed linen. Get two large cushions to match the throw, place them behind the pillows to substitute as the headboard, and you have a fantastic looking bedroom on a shoestring!



• Don't be fooled into thinking that high street catalogues are value-driven. They are sometimes the most expensive way to furnish your home. You are paying for the convenience of shopping from your armchair!



• For a stylish bathroom, go for plain white ceramic tile. Then select a tile that has a mosaic pattern. Have the tiler cut the mosaic look tile into border-sized pieces. You will normally get at least four border pieces out of one tile. Blue or beige mosaics set into the white-tiled wall looks super. This should save you at least €500 per bathroom, depending on the quantities needed.

So, despite interior designers having a reputation for spending your hard-earned money, some of us can in fact save you some of it!