3 Budget Design Tips to Refresh Your Space

If you've re-vamping an entire room or just want to freshen up a spot that's feeling a bit tired, Rosalyn Lazaruk of Wicket Blue Interiors is here to help.

Design lovers alert, the Edmonton Fall How Show kicks off today, and we caught up with interior designer Rosalyn Lazaruk of Wicket Blue Interiors (who designed the show’s Floform Lounge) to share some of her top design tips for maximizing style on a minimum budget.“It’s about keeping it new and fresh while still sticking to your budget,” she says. “The idea behind it was a modern Spanish revival look, which evolved into a Palm Springs, bohemian feel,” says Lazaruk.

1. Use a small swatch of wallpaper or fabric as a focal point

Wallpaper can be a beautiful and unique way to give a room a fresh feel, but papering a large space can rack up the costs. Rosalyn suggests choosing a wallpaper and using it on one feature wall, or even framing a large section of it. “It makes the wallpaper go a lot farther and gives you more bang for your buck,” she says. Fabrics also work well like this. “You can get a lot of colour and pattern into a space with a small amount of textiles.” Instead of upholstering an entire sofa or chair, try covering a decorative top cushion with a yard of eye-catching fabric (like these exotic cushions above!).

2.  Fill an empty area with a focal-point plant

In the Floform Lounge, Rosalyn found large plants were a great way to fill large, vacant areas. A large fig tree or a palm can add a fresh, organic feel to a tired space or empty corner. “It’s like nature’s art,” she says, “and it can give a lot more impact than a piece of furniture which would also cost you more.” Not only this, but botanical accessories are a growing trend— they’ll liven up a room and give it a modern, stylish edge.

3. Use an existing piece of furniture as a jumping off point

Rosalyn chose a colour palette (think rich navy, peach, sand) and design scheme in order to highlight the existing products that are being shown in the lounge. Already have a beautiful vintage dining table or a colourful piece of art you want to show off? Use your existing furniture as a focal piece and choose new accessories to accentuate it.

Find more information about the Edmonton Fall Home Show here (Running October 21 to 23).