A neutral colour palette is basis for budget home furnishing

Furnishing a new home is exciting but sticking to that budget can be a challenge. Luckily, property styler, Helen Silver, has dispensed some advice on how to make the home look lovely while not overburdening the wallet.

While it may be tempting to buy lots of furnishings up front, Ms Silver, speaking to What Home? recommends waiting. “Give yourself time to get the feel of your new surroundings” rather than rushing out and buying pieces that don’t work.

Interior designer, Sian Jenkins, agrees: “Don’t just rush straight into the hands-on process, create a mood board with ideas for paint, fabric and finishing touches to make sure you’re happy with the overall design,” she told easier.com.

Choosing a neutral colour palette is essential, selecting a few, timeless and simple colours to form the basis of the home’s colour scheme.

Keep large furnishings, such as prettily painted window shutters, sofas and carpets, neutral, Ms Silver says. Classic colours present so many other options as splashes of colour can easily be added – and changed – over the years in the form of cushions, rugs and vases.

Take advantage of the boom in ‘vintage’ (AKA secondhand) furniture by asking friends and family if they have anything they are looking to get rid of. Alternatively, the internet and charity shops are great places to scour for cheaper items.

Lastly, don’t be scared to change secondhand furnishings, it could work out much more financially viable than buying new. Stain old chairs and tables so that they fit with the new colour scheme: “spray paint is a fun way to revamp old furniture,” Ms Silver says.