When funds for repairs are limited, but you don’t want the savings to be noticeable, these techniques from designers can come to the rescue. They were shared by Anna Suvorova and Anna Dobrokovskaya. 

1 Place a bet on the basic finish 

If the budget is small, you should not spend it on something trendy and bright. It is better to choose a timeless base that will look good for a long time. 

“As with a wardrobe, create a neutral base of inexpensive, but good and high-quality materials, and then complement it with bright, interesting accessories, advises Anna Suvorova. For example, lay a budget, but still parquet on the floor, paint the walls plain with light paint, choose a tile for an unobtrusive stone or light concrete. Against this background, it will be much easier and more pleasant to place accents.

If it seems that the option of the “basic” interior will look boring and impersonal, do not worry, you will “finish” with interesting furniture, textiles and art. Agree, the image of jeans + T-shirt can be very different and look interesting. It’s the same with the interior. Life hack: if the soul still asks for bright colors, textures and unusual things, do it in the bathrooms! They don’t necessarily have to match the style of the whole apartment, and any experiments in these rooms are quite appropriate.”

In this small bathroom (2.5 sq. m. m) combined three types of tiles, three grout colors and paint

“High-quality finishing (walls, tiles) serves as a decor and accent in the interior, says Anna Dobrokovskaya.  Do not skimp on finishing materials. In the middle segment, you can find a high-quality and attractive finish that will look decent and raise the level of the entire interior. Don’t be afraid to use concise and stylish solutions. Nuances in interiors are important and look no worse, and sometimes even better than expensive and flashy elements!”

2 Stick to minimalism 

Anna Dobrokovskaya means by this two ways: the absence of clutter and the rejection of decorations in the interior. 

“Less is more was proclaimed by the architect Mies van der Rohe at the beginning of the XX century. And indeed, the rejection of clutter, the addition of space and air gives a concise and clean perception of the interior. When each object has its own place, and free space is formed around it, this is a conscious concept of beauty today. Select local zones, think over the priority of the placement of all objects in the interior (allocate more space to significant elements), focus on the design of each zone in the concept of the whole house. This is the key to a competent and thoughtful interior without the clutter effect.

The variety of colors, stucco, false columns, paintings, small accessories all look luxurious in the cinema or theater, and not in residential interiors. Unnecessary decorative elements, especially if they are not combined with the general interior direction, often look too unnatural. A minimalistic approach is very relevant now, so you can easily limit yourself to only useful interior items, a small painting or poster,” says the designer.

3 Work with lighting 

A premium chandelier will not make the interior visually expensive. The secret is in the correct design of the light. 

Designer Anna Dobrokovskaya:

To work with lighting at a high level, to correctly build the light so that it is possible to identify the advantages and hide the disadvantages — not everyone is subject to. You can highlight an interesting wall texture due to soft light or add directional lamps to your favorite painting or niche with decor, highlight a more important area with a light halo — here are a few techniques for working on lighting in the interior. With them, it will immediately look more impressive and visually expensive.

4 Add Art 

Designer Anna Suvorova is convinced that it is paintings that can enrich the interior. Yes, they won’t be cheap, but this is exactly the addition that will take the space to a new level. 

“Posters with orchids, fabulous waterfalls and copies of famous classical works will not enrich the interior, but will give away the lack of a budget. Instead, it is better to buy paintings by young artists. You can find such art objects in contemporary art galleries, at fairs and Sunday markets, and on the Internet, of course,” Anna recommends.

The painting is the work of Maria Suvorova, the series “Moscow courtyards”, art gallery “Together”

The painting is the work of Maria Suvorova, the series “Moscow courtyards”, art gallery “Together”

The painting above the bed is the work of Galina Ereshchuk, Artis Gallery

The painting above the bed is the work of Galina Ereshchuk, Artis Gallery

5 Look for furniture that is being resold 

Anna Suvorova, for example, several times used furniture from restaurants in her projects that were preparing to close and sold it. And Soviet vintage.

Designer Anna Suvorova:

This is a cool way to buy designer things inexpensively. Tables, chairs, armchairs, lamps, mirrors — all this can be found on Avito or similar sites at very attractive prices. Restaurants are closing or undergoing renovation, and individual, original furniture is often sold in very good condition. It’s worth it.

The table and chairs from Delo design were brought from restaurants

A table from the restaurant with a cast-iron base and a stone countertop. The chairs are Soviet vintage. The upholstery was replaced and repainted

6 Abandon brands

You can make a visually expensive interior without expensive brands, says Anna Dobrokovskaya. 

“Ostentatious luxury is now out of place in interiors. A beautiful interior cannot look like a photo from a furniture catalog. It should have something that you like. Today, custom-made, vintage or handmade pieces of furniture are on trend. Something that will reflect your personality. I recommend giving up recognizable brands that you can see in every second interior for the last few years. The main ally of a harmonious space is conciseness, a sense of style and the uniqueness of your choice,” the designer believes. 

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