It doesn’t always have to be about spending money. I feel like it is these days. Everyone trying to outdo their neighbours, family or friends. But not me, and thankfully not for my boyfriend whom I live with. There are things you can do that don’t cost money. Then you can spend your hard earned cash on other special things.

When updating your home, here are some suggestions for spending minimal dosh and still making an impact;

1. Move furniture around - try a new arrangement and see how it works in the room or try swapping mirrors between rooms or even art work on different walls. We recently moved our bed to the opposite wall, in front of the window and it makes the room feel so much bigger

2. Paint your wooden furniture - This year I have been painting all the pine wooden furniture white and it makes a huge difference in the room as it is less harsh on the eyes

3. Get rid of one thing from the room - its called decluttering. Find something that is not used or needed in that room, donate it, bin it, or upcycle it for another purpose

4. Add a plant or two - I am fortunate my Aunty has a huge garden and is always giving my cuttings and potting up new plants for me which is saves big dollars

5. Make a bedhead for your bed or cut off your bedhead - change it up. My boyfriend trimmed our bedhead so our bed could fit under the window without it taking over the window. It looks so much better

6. Change the lighting situation - can you move your lamps around? or update your pendants?

7. Update your rug or curtains. Do you need a colour change in the room? Curtains will usually make a huge impact. Swap your shower curtain for a fresh new one. Change your bath mat over to a timber bath mat - instant change to the room. Consider doing a cushion swap with friends, family, neighbours

8. Change the artwork up - paint the frames a different colour, print a photo to frame, paint a canvas or take something down, move it to another room, create a wall gallery, update your printed photos

9. Mount your television rather than have it on an entertainment unit

10. Paint plant pots or vases with terracotta paint or give them a colour update - use those sample pots of paint that you have sitting around.

11. Sugar soap your doors - quickly wipe the grim, fingerprints and marks off your doors and handles. You will be surprised by the difference it makes. Sugar soap works instantly and there is nothing better than seeing the results

What can you suggest as one thing you could do to update your home without having to buy brand new? Have you done any home improvements lately? How have you updated your home? We would love it if you joined the conversation and left a comment below.