By NG PAU LING pauline@thestar.com.my

LONGING for a perfectly decorated home but you're on a tight budget?
Here are six tips to help you deck the halls without breaking the bank.

1. Plan before you start

First, research and plan. Decide on the style you desire. Limiting the fashion focus could help you budget better – be it classical or contemporary, minimalist or extraordinary. You could take cues from decoration books or blogs.

Remember to take your children, family, pet and lifestyle into consideration. Real-life homes are not as perfect as what is shown on those perfectly-crafted brochures.

2. Break it down and survey

Write down your plan in detail, from room to space and ceiling to floor, to determine the top priorities for your home. Then compare your actual financial statements to the projections.

Should you splurge on the kitchen or invest in a premium leather sofa for the living room?

Next, create a checklist for your decoration plan and start surveying the prices of items to have a clear price point in mind.

3. Find great deals at home fairs

Home and living fairs are the best places to hunt for home accessories and decorations. Great deals, exclusive discounts and freebies will be available to fair-goers.Besides, it is also a time-effective solution as you can find all you need for your home under one roof.

4. Quality over quantity

Make sure you get your money’s worth. If you like something, buy ONE, but only the quality one. Given that furniture is an essential part of home décor, allocate a larger portion of your budget towards quality furniture.

Choose one that could last for decades. Do not invest heavily in household items that need to be replaced regularly.

5. Used, vintage and pre-loved

There are multiple advantages of buying second-hand home items. Of course, the main reason is that you could have some amazing finds at significantly low prices.

Also, buying used items is environment-friendly. It is one of the easiest ways you can contribute to sustainability.

The most exciting part is that these old stuff offer possibilities for repurposing and could be transformed into a unique piece that is exclusively yours.

6. A clever play on your style

Minimalist is a style that emphasises the essentials and simplicity. It focuses on the things that matter to the daily life and strips away all decorative elements. In other words, it’s an option that puts your home in style while accruing less cost.

The cosy, laid-back tropical style is another good choice for Malaysian homes. This style is inspired by tropical rainforest setting, and you can get its décor elements such as wicker and rattan at lower prices.

Furthermore, if you are the kind of homeowner who is always fond of new design trends, invest more in soft furnishings and accessories. It is an inexpensive way that can instantly freshen up and change the mood of your home.