Colin and Justin: Live large, pay less

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Ten ways to add style without breaking the bank

Now, perhaps than previously, the credit crunch is pressing ever harder.

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Priorities are undoubtedly changing, and, accordingly, consumers are appraising ways in which to moderate spend, without compromising style.

To this end, we’ve assembled a precis of simple things to keep your home space abreast of style, without breaking the bank.

1. First up, you don’t need a degree in interior design to operate a paintbrush: you might be surprised by just how much a lick of paint can muster an entirely new aesthetic.

DIY stores such as Rona and Home Hardware merchant own brand quality paint at affordable price points, so head on in, grab a few tester pots and plan a brighter future.

Alternatively, be inspired by pricier Farrow and Ball product and have paint mixed to match, using in the in store system at Home Depot.

2. Switching up orientation, moving furniture around your room, or transitioning pieces from one zone to another are all easy way to change the feel of what you already have, with a zero spend.

Shops do it all the time to make you think their stock is regularly changing: they call it ‘rotation’ or ‘merchandising’. We call it common sense and making the best of what you already have.

3. Purge the clutter to amplify valuable space. Do a charity shop run and help others as you help yourself.

Mindful that cleaning costs nothing, let light flood in by running a cloth around windows, kitchens and bathrooms. And don’t forget matters olfactory; make sure your space smells good to help freshen the overall feel.

Elbows up – find some of Canada’s best home scenting products at www.canapacandles The brand’s entire range is available for shipping cross Canada.

4. ‘Reversion’ (re use, repaint, reupholster etc) to bring new life to redundant possessions. Pop new pictures in old frames – and old pictures in new frames – and remember that card mounts will transform even the most basic artwork.

That old wardrobe might look fab with a new colour scheme, and your jaded bedroom chair will look great if you grab a few metres of fabric and wield that trusty staple gun.

5. New cushions and textiles will transform your existing sofa, whilst a change of linen will instantly alter your bedroom mood. Similarly, new towels and scented candles will transform your bathroom.

6. Shop smart via discount outlets, second hand stores and Facebook Marketplace, all of which are the C+J holy grail when looking for good deals. Be cognizant that second hand doesn’t have to mean second best, and that ‘previously enjoyed’ is one of the best forms of recycling.

7. Don’t be shy to ask for discounts. As we like to say; ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get.’ Buy seasonally, research when big box stores have sales, and shop accordingly.

8. Interspersing lower cost items with indulgent items creates the impression that everything is similarly extravagant. We love the cut of Armani jackets, for example, and whilst they occupy the pricier end of our wardrobe, they’re ‘best value’ on a ‘dollars per wear’ basis as they’re rarely off our backs.

Teamed with Old Navy jeans and crisp white shirts from Zara, the look is 100% high end. Whilst the foregoing example is sartorial, the same rules apply to the home, so use smoke ‘n’ mirrors and trick out your space on a budget.

9. Think ‘double duty’ bang for your buck. Choose padded storage cubes which make handy extra seating and buy reversible cushions and throws to change your look on a whim. And make sure you choose a coffee table that has in built secret stash zones for toys and magazines.

10. Get the look on a shoestring. Use replicas of the real thing (laminate ‘wood’ flooring instead of solid timber, or ceramic tiling instead of stone) to save cash without sacrificing aesthetics.

As we’ve opined on myriad occasions, it’s not how much is spent, rather how – and where – it’s spent that transacts the biggest difference. *Cue imagery of two Scotsmen finding a penny, fighting over it tug of war style, and inadvertently inventing copper wire.

Hey, we’re not tight, we’re just, em, careful.

Watch for Colin and Justin on Citytv’s Breakfast Television and Colin and Justin’s Sub- Zero Reno on Paramount Plus TV. Find the Colin and Justin Home Collection in stores across Canada.
Visit www.colinandjustin.tv