Montreal, QC, July 22, 2024 – In today’s challenging housing market, more than half of homeowners are opting for home improvements in place of selling their properties, according to a recent survey by U.S. News.
It’s a trend that’s being echoed in Canada, say the experts at RONA, one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers with some 425 corporate and affiliated stores under different banners. As a result, homeowners are looking for economical ways to upgrade their living spaces – from kitchens and bathrooms to living areas and bedrooms.
“There are many simple ways you can give your home a more upscale look without breaking the bank,” said Lydia Thammavong, Head Design, Styles & Trends at RONA. “Start by surveying your home’s interior with a critical eye and identify areas that can use some decor love. Then get inspiration from magazines, online images of room settings, and home improvement store displays to get decorating ideas.”
“You’d be surprised at how even small changes – such as adding decorative pillows and greenery – can make a space more attractive and enjoyable,” Thammavong said. “All it takes is a little creativity.”
As examples, she offers these top 10 budget-friendly hacks to spruce up your decor:
1. Replace doorknobs and drawer pulls.
They may be small items, but they can have a huge impact on enriching the look of a space. Available in a variety of shapes, sizes, colours and materials, there are knobs and pulls to match any taste. If it’s a modern farmhouse decor you’re after, for example, iron black flat-round knobs are a popular look. For a modern minimalist style, opt for sleek, clean lines such as square, lever or cylindrical knobs in brushed metal finishes like stainless steel, satin nickel or matte black. Uniquely shaped knobs such as hexagons add visual interest to a decor, while crystal knobs infuse an element of luxe, and antique brass or oil rubbed bronze hardware brings a charming rustic or traditional vibe to rooms. Mix and match knobs with trending cabinetry pulls – from geometric shapes such as squares, rectangles, or hexagons for a modern and contemporary look, to round button pulls in metallic finishes or colourful hand painted ceramics for vintage styles, and glass pulls for eye-catching glam.
Weiser Cambie Matte Black Passage Knob with Microban Coating. $41.99 at RONA stores or online.
Schlage Custom Hobson Matte Black No Deadbolt Combined Doorknob. $114 at RONA.ca.
Richelieu Classic Cabinet Knob – 31-mm – Brushed Oil-Rubbed Bronze. $5.49 at RONA stores or online.
Richelieu Eclectic Cabinet Knob – 1.26-in – Metal and Acrylic – Brushed Nickel – Clear. $7.59 at RONA stores or online.
Natural by Lifestyle Brands Handpainted Blue/Yellow/Black Ceramic Cabinet Knobs (12 Pack). $60.99 at RONA.ca.
2. Paint your dream decor.
Don’t want to invest in new door and cabinetry hardware or go through the hassle of changing them, but still want the modern farmhouse, antique or luxe look you love? Consider revitalizing your existing knobs and pulls with paint, using spray paint for best results. Furniture, planters, and even cushions and fabrics can also be spray painted to deliver a fresh new look. SICO Paints, for example, recently launched an innovative spray paint line, called Perma-Flex, that helps DIYers bring new life to fabrics, accessories and outdoor furniture. Applied on a wide range of surfaces, including wood, metal, plastic and glass, the paint dries in five minutes or less without running or dripping. Perma-Flex is available in three formulas that cater to different indoor and outdoor DIY paint needs and is the simplest of hacks to invigorate tired decor.
SICO Perma-Flex Spray Paint for Exterior Fabric (340 g). $24.99 at RONA stores.
Rust-Oleum Flat Black Stainless Steel Appliance Spray Paint 12 oz. $19.99 at RONA stores or online.
3. Imagine new uses for peel-and-stick tiles.
Who says tiles are just for walls? Consider applying peel and stick tiles to furniture surfaces – such as tabletops – for a quick and stylish makeover. Or, transform a plain staircase and add visual interest by applying tiles with intricate patterns or vibrant colours to the stair risers. If you’re feeling crafty, try building your own cube or rectangular pedestal or coffee table from peel and stick tiles – a project that’s currently all the rage on social media – or start smaller by creating a tile tray or coasters. Popular tile looks include vintage patterns, black gloss or marbled mini-tiles, and copper hexagons.
Smart Tiles Vintage Roma Peel and Stick Tiles 9-in x 9-in Grey Pack of 4. $29.99 at RONA stores or online.
Smart Tiles Minimo Nero 11.55in x 9.64in 4PK Peel and Stick Backsplash. $10.95 sq/ft at RONA.ca.
Speedtiles Hexagonia 3x Faster 6-Pack Dark Copper 12-in x 12-in Polished Aluminum. $15.84 sq/ft at RONA.ca.
4. Accent with peel and stick wallpaper.
There are endless ways to use peel and stick wallpaper to deliver the rich look of a reno without the expense. Choose a bold pattern, vibrant colour or textured design to cover an accent wall and create a stand-out focal point in a room, for example. Use vinyl peel and stick wallpaper as backsplash in the kitchen or bathroom. Even furniture can be revitalized by covering the front or inside of drawers, and sides of cabinets with wallpaper, and bookshelves can ooze added interest by lining the backs with patterns and colours that create a cohesive look with the items displayed. In the bedroom, wallpaper can be used in place of a headboard, creating the appearance of a decor piece that complements your bedding and ties the room together. Trending wallpaper designs include faux grey and white bricks, leafy greenery, stylish gold dots or graphics, Mediterranean motifs, marble or Damask tiles, geometric shapes, and sky/cloud or wainscoting looks for ceilings.
RoomMates Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper – Grey and White Faux Bricks – 20.5-in x 18-ft. $94.49 each at RONA stores or online.
RoomMates Dots Gold Peel and Stick Wallpaper – 28.2 sq. ft. $49.99 each at RONA stores or online.
RoomMates Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper – Blue Mediterranean Tile – 20.5-in x 16.5-ft. $56.99 each at RONA stores or online.
RoomMates Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper – Teal Cloud – 28.18-sq.ft. $49.99 at RONA stores or online.
5. Get rid of clutter.
One of the quickest fixes to freshen up a space is to declutter. An added bonus? Studies show that getting rid of excess stuff can help you feel calmer, happier and more relaxed. After purging what you feel you no longer need, consider investing in decorative shelving units to store books and household essentials, using baskets or bins to keep smaller items organized. Fabric cube storage units or decorative wicker baskets work well for stylishly storing toys, clothes, accessories and office supplies. And fashionable storage ottomans or benches with lift-up seats can store blankets, pillows and shoes. Other handy decluttering ideas include under-bed storage bins, drawers or boxes, drawer organizers, and wall-mounted hooks and racks installed behind doors to hang coats, bags, hats and other frequently used items.
VASAGLE Rustic Brown Metal 5-Shelf Ladder Bookcase. $135.99 at RONA.ca.
Home Zone 14.8 x 12.5 x 11-in Wooden Crate with Chalkboard. $19.99 at RONA.ca.
6. Throw in pillows.
Throw pillows are an affordable and versatile way to update a room, infusing colour, pattern and texture into living spaces. They not only add a cozy touch but can also tie decor elements together. Choose pillows that complement your existing colour scheme, either matching or contrasting the dominant colours in the room. To inject personality, introduce accent pillows in bold or vibrant hues. Combine different scales of patterns to add interest and sophistication to your space, partnering large stripes with small florals, for example, or geometrics with organic motifs. Keep in mind that too many patterns can be overwhelming, so mix them with solid pillows to create visual breaks and cohesion. If your room already has a lot of pattern or colour, opt for neutral pillows in whites, grays or creams to provide balance. Select pillows with varied textures, such as velvet, linen, silk or embroidered fabrics for visual interest. Braided or thick woven fabrics add coziness, making the decor more inviting and tactile, while layering pillows of different shapes and sizes adds depth and dimension.
Gouchee Home Rana 12-in x 20-in Rectangular Ochre Throw Pillow. $28.99 at RONA.ca.
Gouchee Home Edinburgh 16-in x 16-in Round Light Grey Decorative Pillow. $40.99 at RONA.ca.
Gouchee Home Ida 18-in x 18-in Square Grey Decorative Pillow. $43.99 at RONA.ca.
Gouchee Home Rana 12-in x 20-in Rectangular Green Throw Pillow. $28.99 at RONA.ca.
7. Transform rooms with rugs
Area rugs can affordably elevate the look of a space without making furnishing changes. Serving as a visual anchor, they ground furniture arrangements and help tie together a room’s decor elements. With an array of textures and patterns available – from plush wool, soft cotton, and durable synthetics to geometric designs, floral motifs and oriental patterns – rugs can infuse both character and coziness into living spaces. Select colours and patterns that complement or contrast existing decor. Neutral tones like beige, grey or cream are versatile and blend well with various styles, while bold patterns or colours can serve as statement pieces in minimalist or monochromatic settings. Natural fibers such as jute or sisal add texture and a relaxed vibe, suitable for casual spaces like family rooms. Experiment with layering a smaller rug over a larger one to add dimension and warmth to a room. Mix patterns and textures carefully to avoid overwhelming the space and consider using rugs of different textures but similar colours for a cohesive look.
Trident Rug Herrington-Patterned Greige 48-in x 72-in. $54.99 at RONA stores or online.
Korhani Melgund Area Rug – Beige/Grey/Yellow – 6-ft 7 x 8-ft 9. $329.99 at RONA stores or online.
Allen + Roth Performance Tess Rug Polypropylen 7-ft 10 x 10-ft 1 Cream. $329 at RONA stores.
8. Set the mood with mirrors.
Incorporating mirrors into your decor is an inexpensive hack that will go a long way in brightening your living space and making rooms appear larger. Place mirrors opposite windows or light sources to maximize the amount of light reflected and create a more open, airy feel. Strategically placed mirrors can amplify natural light, brightening up darker corners and reducing the need for artificial lighting during the day. They can also enhance the impact of artificial lighting by reflecting light from lamps and fixtures, creating a more illuminated environment. For added wow factor, select mirrors with decorative frames to serve as statement pieces that add to the room’s aesthetic, or group smaller round or square mirrors together to create a stunning accent wall.
Columbia Frame 30-in L x 30-in W Round Clear Beveled Wall Mounted Mirror. $94.99 at RONA stores and online.
Hudson Home 27.7-in L x 18-in W Irregular Black Framed Wall Mounted Mirror. $94.99 at RONA stores and online.
Columbia Frame 40-in L x 30-in W Rectangular Black Framed Wall Mounted Mirror. $109.99 at RONA stores or online.
For more affordable reno ideas, visit www.rona.ca.
About RONA inc.
RONA inc. is one of Canada’s leading home improvement retailers and is headquartered in Boucherville, Québec. The RONA inc. network operates or services some 425 corporate and affiliated dealer stores under the RONA+, RONA, Réno-Dépôt, and Dick’s Lumber banners. With a long and rich history, RONA inc. has supported Canadians in their home improvement and construction projects since 1939. To achieve this, the company relies on a team of 21,000 employees, to whom it strives to provide an inclusive workplace where everyone is invited to contribute. RONA inc. is one of the Montréal region’s Top Employers since 2021. As a result of its ongoing efforts in sustainable development, the company is recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers. To learn more about the company, visit the website www.ronainc.ca.