The saying ‘affordable to buy but unaffordable to decorate’ is really not groundless! Even if you calculate carefully, the era when you could decorate a house with just over a hundred thousand yuan has passed. However, my father can’t wait to decorate the new house and move in quickly. So my father has studied 8 ‘cost-free’ zero-cost decoration designs, which are just like a shining star, illuminating the decoration path of ‘budget decoration’ families.
1. ‘Free’ Window Sills
Tiling and polishing the edges of tiles makes them virtually indistinguishable from artificial stone; they simply need to be fixed onto the windowsill with adhesive. However, during construction, it is crucial to pay attention to two points: the width of the tile should be greater than the width of the windowsill, ideally protruding by about one centimeter to allow the wall putty to finish neatly. Do not have workers cut and polish on-site, as the results will not be as refined as those from a professional factory. There are three methods for tiling and polishing edges, and when compared to traditional windowsill stones, the cost is almost negligible. My personal favorite is the third method, which is suitable for families with tight budgets who are planning a frugal renovation.
2. “Zero-Cost” Solution for Curtain Light Leakage, Track Exposure, and Dragging on the Floor During renovation, to save money, many families opt not to install ceiling cavities or curtain boxes. This may lead to several bothersome issues: “curtain tracks exposed,” “curtain light leakage,” and if the size is not appropriate, it may also cause “curtains dragging on the floor.” When faced with these “awkward” situations, the usual solutions are either to make do with what you have or to replace with an aesthetically pleasing curtain rod.
In fact, neither of these is a perfect solution, but my father invented a cost-free trick to solve these problems. ① Tools needed: only a pair of pliers. ② Bend the middle part of the hook upwards and then downwards at the middle position. ③ Use the Korean pleating method to fix the hook as shown in the diagram above. With this method, you can solve the issues of curtain light leakage, track exposure, and dragging on the floor without spending a dime. Those who encounter similar problems at home can give it a try; it works really well.3. Creating a Hole for the Power Outlet After the water dispenser was phased out by many, the “water line machine” has gained more popularity. However, due to inadequate electrical and plumbing renovations, various exposed conduits can be very unattractive. My father, during the initial renovation, had the foresight to create a “hole” for the power outlet, allowing it to be hidden inside, thus avoiding the problem of exposed conduits later on.
The specific operation is as follows: the hole size should be based on the position of the water line machine, and have the electrician and plumber create a 140mm×140mm×50mm hole, then install the power outlet box inside the hole door. After applying putty to level the surrounding area and a bit of processing, install the power outlet cover. This method’s biggest advantage is that it almost doesn’t cost extra money to perfectly hide various unattractive conduits, making the water line machine, which is in a conspicuous position, both aesthetically pleasing and practical.4. Homemade Cloakroom Metal Clothes Rack The metal clothes rack has been one of the most “controversial” design elements in recent years. Many people believe that “cabinets without doors” are prone to dust accumulation and thus strongly oppose them.
The Controversial Metal Wardrobe
However, my father believes that for those who have emptied their wallets after buying a house, a metal wardrobe is extremely practical. Compared with spending tens of thousands of yuan on a customized cloakroom, spending just a few hundred yuan to get a cloakroom with the same storage capacity is almost like “not spending any money”.
In fact, metal clothes racks were originally just components used in clothing store display cabinets.
DIY Cloakroom
For example, for the full – wall metal wardrobe my father made, he only spent 200 yuan on buying AA columns and accessories. Then he hired a worker to install it for 100 yuan, and got a full – wall cloakroom for 300 yuan.
Advantages of Metal Cloakrooms
Besides saving money, metal cloakrooms have many other praiseworthy advantages. For example:
– They are all made of metal materials, paint – free and non – toxic, which is very environmentally friendly. You can use them right after installation.
– The installation is convenient. People with strong hands – on ability can install them by themselves.
– You can freely adjust the positions of the hanging parts according to the styles of your clothes, making flexible use of the space.
Precautions
When it comes to metal wardrobes, we have to mention the installation problem, as many people have encountered problems with it. The most important thing to note is the choice of expansion bolts. Don’t use the plastic bolts provided by the merchant for fixing. It is best to choose national standard metal expansion bolts. In this way, no matter how many clothes you hang, there is no need to worry about it falling off.
5. Mobile Flower Pot Rack
After a new home is renovated, people generally like to buy some green plants. Firstly, it can enhance the home atmosphere and make the home look more vibrant. Secondly, it can make the air at home fresher.
Flower Pot Rack
However, for green plants, especially large potted plants, people often get tired of seeing them in the same place all the time. So sometimes we need to change their positions, but it is very difficult to move them.
DIY Flower Pot Rack
My father noticed that there were many leftover wooden boards after the renovation. So he had an idea and made several trays using universal wheels and wooden boards. Unexpectedly, they are both beautiful and practical.
From then on, there is no need to ask others for help when moving flowers. Every time you mop the floor, you can do it by yourself. Moreover, you can put these self – made mobile trays in some deep cabinets, which makes it much more convenient to pick up and put things.
6. Brick – Clamped Cabinet
Among all basic decoration projects, the largest expense is usually the cost of customizing various cabinets.
Brick – Clamped Cabinet (Finished Effect)
Besides wardrobes, kitchen cabinets are also a huge expense. A set of not – very – large kitchen cabinets costs more than ten thousand yuan. For families who want to “decorate on a budget”, it’s really hard to part with the money.
So, when my dad was renovating the kitchen, he thought of many ways to save money. Eventually, he found that the brick-clamped cabinet made of tiles is the model for all “budget renovation” families.
At first, I wanted to build the cabinet with red bricks. However, the tiler said that red bricks are out of date and take up too much internal space, making them impractical. So, he recommended using tiles to make the cabinet. With the attitude of just giving it a try since I didn’t have much money, I asked the master to build a cabinet for me. It’s been three months since I moved in, and I the more I use it, the more satisfied I am. Everyone in the community who sees it praises it. The kitchen that originally cost over 10,000 yuan was completed for only 2,000 yuan. Brick-clamped cabinets were actually popular for a while a long time ago. But due to the relatively backward technology at that time, the cabinets made were rough and ugly. Now, the finished brick-clamped cabinets are almost indistinguishable from custom-made ones. The master used steel structures and tiles to do the internal design and also designed a high-low countertop according to my needs. Two masters finished it in one day. I was shocked by the master’s craftsmanship. I have to admit that the old master is really great. In addition to saving money, the cabinets made of tiles have the following advantages: 1. Strong, durable, waterproof, and moisture-proof. 2. With an aluminum alloy frame, it is convenient to install custom-made cabinet doors, and the aesthetics are no less than that of custom-made cabinets. 3. Don’t use tiles for the countertop. Choose a quartz stone countertop for a higher appearance level. 4. The cabinet body is made of two tiles sandwiching cement, so it is relatively thin and does not take up space. 5. There are steel bars laid on the countertop, making it strong and durable. Even if you chop bones on it, you don’t have to worry about it falling apart. 6. Use wood to splice and install the track. Later, pull-out baskets and bowl baskets can be installed normally. 7. Shelf for balcony cabinet In today’s houses, washing machines are basically placed on the balcony. So, there is the term “washing machine cabinet” in the custom cabinet project. However, installing a wooden cabinet on the balcony will not only fade and deform after a long time in the sun, but also cost a lot. Stainless-steel storage rack To save money, my dad bought a very ordinary storage rack worth only dozens of yuan from the market. It’s a stainless-steel rack with adjustable shelf height. Then, he adjusted it according to the height of the washing machine and just stuffed the washing machine in. The upper part can also be used for storage. It is both cost-effective and practical. Compared with the washing machine cabinet that costs thousands of yuan, this design method is almost a zero-cost design. In addition to saving money, after using the stainless-steel storage rack for a while, I also found several other pleasant advantages: 1. Moisture-proof, sun-proof, and non-deformable, durable. 2. Environmentally friendly and non-toxic, safe to use. 3. Perfect for storing clothes hangers. 4. The storage capacity is no less than that of a custom-made washing machine cabinet.It can also serve as a temporary storage spot for dirty laundry, saving you the cost of a laundry basket.
8. Entranceway Moon Painting – A Focal Point for Home Entrances Many people pay attention to the decoration of their home’s entranceway, often opting for an aesthetically pleasing design or a high-class decorative painting. Although my father wanted to create a high-end feel for our entranceway, financial constraints led him to use leftover materials from our renovation to make a moon-themed painting. This moon painting made from plaster and paint not only cost very little but also yielded excellent results. It has not only enhanced the home’s appearance but also impressed every visitor who stops to admire it, bringing endless praise and a sense of pride. Lastly, it should be noted: ① The term ‘cost-free’ design mentioned in the article is a metaphor, indicating that it saves money compared to other options. Please do not criticize me for this expression. ② ‘Poor decoration’ might be misunderstood as shabby by many, but for many young people, it is difficult to spare hundreds of thousands of dollars for decoration after buying a house. Please do not criticize me if you do not like it. I am sharing this article to help those with limited budgets and to provide some inspiration. ③ Home is personal, and sometimes ‘poor decoration’ is not shameful. After all, money does not come from the wind, and every penny saved is money in your pocket.