Home is where the heart is, or so they say. But is it where you want to spend the majority of your time? If 2020 has taught us anything, it’s that we should feel happy and content in the place we live. And that all starts with having happy surroundings.

The good news is that you can transform your home really quite easily, without spending big money or having big expensive jobs done. All it takes is a little bit of creative thinking and planning. The key, as the experts say, is not so much getting something you don’t have, but making the most of what you’ve already got. If you’re still not entirely convinced, take a look at these genius DIY hacks that you can apply to your own home. You might be surprised at just how much a simple trick can make a huge difference to your living space.

Bring “Hygge” into the Home

What on earth is Hygge? It’s actually a very simple philosophy which came from Denmark, and it’s very easy to follow. The word itself is tough to translate, but essentially means to “enjoy life’s simplicity” – something the Danish do quite well! You can probably imagine that to go Hygge is to apply a minimalist approach – declutter and keep things simple. But it’s also about creating a space which is right for you personally.

They encourage surrounding yourself with things that trigger happy memories such as photos, souvenirs and gifts. Why not hang some of these “happy objects” on the wall along with your favourite photos?

Another important hygge trick is to create warmth with light. So get rid of those cheap light bulbs which have a harsh light, and invest in some dimmer switches and home lamps. The ultimate goal is to promote serenity and warmth, so make sure you have nice, simple lamps in the rooms you relax in. Home furnishings company Loft You promotes the Hygge lifestyle and they have some great lamps to check out. 

Repurpose old junk

Have you ever gone to a nice cafe or bar and been impressed by how they used old junk as furnishings? It’s very popular in public areas because it sparks a sense of style, and is quite effortless to achieve. Here are just a few suggestions to get the thoughts flowing:

Turn old teapots into vases

If you don’t happen to have a cupboard full of old teapots, you can visit your local charity shop and pick up a bargain with change from £5. No effort required on this one, simply collect some nice, colourful teapots and plant some flowers in them. Not only will you brighten the room up instantly, but you’ll also be surrounding yourself with nature, which has a calming effect all by itself. Scatter a few of these around and completely change the vibe in the room!

Turn a stepladder into a stylish bookshelf

This requires a few planks of wood which you can pick up easily if you don’t have any lying around. Simply slide the wood onto each step on the ladder and secure with a few screws. This makes for a very simple but stylish bookshelf, but can also be used as a funky shoe rack should you prefer.

Paint some wooden pallets and build a chill space

Pallets are usually free if you go on the lookout for them. Perhaps ask around on social media, as local businesses are known to dispose of them once they’ve received their deliveries. A few pallets and some paint can actually result in all sorts of creations, from a self-built bed to an entire chill space made of benches. You can also secure one to a wall and create a stylish box-shelf – just be sure to sand them right down first, as most pallets are not furniture friendly when you first find them.

Change your curtain tying game

This one may sound like a very small and insignificant change to make, but there are a few ways you can tie curtains which really boost the look of the room. Invest in some real rope for example, and tie them with it, to give some texture. Another one is to dig through your jewellery box and find some old beaded necklace (again, a visit to the charity shop might be required here), and carefully wrap them around your curtains for a sparkly look. Windows are an important part of any room, and these small changes could help spruce things up.

Something old, something new

Tips and tricks are always a lot cheaper than just buying new things, and the results can sometimes be even better. Plus with the money you save, you can treat yourself to some new furniture to go with it. The contrast between old and new is very fashionable! Loft You have a full range to browse, why not give them a look.