How to decorate your home on a tight budget

Looking for a change in interiors. but don't have the wallet to accommodate it? There are many ways to transform your home without spending a fortune. Here are some of my best tips on how to decorate on a tight budget.
1. Plan before you begin: Proper planning and noting down the things you want to change is the very first step. This will help you plan your budget, so you don't regret buying an expensive sofa as the first thing.
2. Decluttering: Use the Konmari method to simplify and organise your home.
3. Recycle and Reuse: Give a complete makeover to your old table or a cabinet by re-painting it a bright colour. Voila - it's a new piece now!  
4. Rearrange your furniture: Try moving pieces and home accessories around or between rooms to see your home in a whole new light.
5. Toss in throw pillows: Cushions are make your space look stylish and versatile and are light on the budget too. They go pretty much anywhere, from the floor to a bench to a sofa to a bed. Mix together colourful and decorative cushions in unusual shapes, sizes, pattern, and textures.
6. Paint or wallpaper it: A clean coat of paint can take a room from drab to fab. Consider adding a solid colour to an accent wall or using a funky pattern wallpaper.
7. Add green plants: There is an on-going trend of succulents and cacti. It's all about arranging something alive - and playing with green shades and textures - to bring a fresh look to any house.
8. Mirror magic: A mirror can enhance the room by making the space feel bigger. And yes, perfect for taking selfies!
(Pooja Solanki is an interior designer and the lifestyle blogger behind www.poojasolanki.com. You can follow her on Instagram @psinteriorsdxb)

HOME EXPERTS: (from left to right) Pooja Solanki and Lilly Engelbrecht
Life is busy and we all deserve to come home to a place we love, and is a sanctuary from the humdrum of modern life. Creating the perfect escape needn't break the bank and/or stress you out! Here are some of my top tips for transforming your house into a home that you can be proud of!
1) Neutral is a colour: Painting your walls can transform your space more than you can imagine. Whether you go neutral (white, grey, taupe) or if you prefer to put some colour on the walls, getting rid of the standard walls, will give your space an instant facelift and set the tone for the revamp!
2) New or renew - that is the question: Filling your home with 'forever' pieces you love, mixed with functional-yet affordable designs is the way to go! With sofas, always go neutral - you can dress it up to be anything if the style and colour are adaptable to any décor or scheme!
3) Windows to the world!: Custom-made cutains can be costly. If you decide to go ahead with curtains in multiple spaces, keep them in the same, neutral fabric and longer in length. That way, if you move, you can reuse them!
4) Let there be light: Don't underestimate the value of a beautiful light fixture! When hung at the right height, it creates cohesiveness and is literally the 'cherry on to' of any beautifully-styled room!
5) Delicious décor: Adding some vases, blooms, candles and decorative items to your room is final layer that brings it all together and makes it that much sweeter!
With wise purchases and using what you have, you can create the perfect escape and still have some change left to fulfil another dream. What are you waiting for, make the change and love where you live!  
(Lilly Engelbrecht is the interior designer behind www.escapehomeinteriors.com. Follow her on Facebook @escapehomeinteriors and Instagram @escape_home)