It was the early B次元官网网址�90s and Laura Ashley flower prints were hot.

Ami McKay was a budget-conscious student living alone for the first time, and to cosy up her bedroom, she bought a Laura Ashley sheet set, sewed the sheets together and made a duvet cover. She also picked up a lacy fabric and fashioned a canopy over the bed, pinning the four corners to the ceiling.

With just a few pieces of fabric, her room was transformed.

Today, McKay is president and principal interior designer at Pure Design Inc., a Vancouver design firm. Being young and on a budget was a blessing, she said: it forces you to be creative.

B次元官网网址淔or 20 to 30 year olds, itB次元官网网址檚 such a fun time because youB次元官网网址檙e only as limited as your mind,B次元官网网址� McKay said.

B次元官网网址淵ou can do things on a next-to-nothing budget.B次元官网网址�

In terms of B次元官网网址渂ig impact, small investmentB次元官网网址� design elements, Sharayah Moffat picks plants, paint and cabinet hardware as her Top 3.

B次元官网网址淚 always like to play with different sizes when IB次元官网网址檓 designing and styling (plants),B次元官网网址� said Moffat, founder and principal designer of Salt & Ink Design Studio, based near Winnipeg.

Moffat likes a tall floor plant combined with smaller accents on shelves and coffee tables. She gives a shout-out to Ikea for having an affordable selection, with many options ranging between $10 and $30.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 about playing with layers and sizes,B次元官网网址� she added. B次元官网网址淵ou can have a darker leaf to a lighter leaf, to colourful, and really have some fun with mixing and matching.B次元官网网址�

Paint, meanwhile, is a dramatic change that, when you supply the labour, doesnB次元官网网址檛 break the bank.

MoffatB次元官网网址檚 last favourite style detail is cabinet and furniture hardware B次元官网网址� knob pulls, handles, hinges. She considers this an inexpensive upgrade with endless variety, and a go-to recommendation for her clients to freshen up a kitchen and avoid pricey renos.

B次元官网网址淓tsy is a great spot to look for those one-of-a-kind pieces,B次元官网网址� Moffat said. B次元官网网址淵ou can go vintage, you can go modern, you can really transform the look. ItB次元官网网址檚 one of those things where if you want to change it up a bit in a few years, itB次元官网网址檚 five bucks a handle.B次元官网网址�

McKay is a fabric fan B次元官网网址� itB次元官网网址檚 inexpensive at fabric stores, and basic sewing is manageable. You can even skip labour entirely with sewing tape to press together edges of fabric.

For window treatments, McKay loves caf茅-style curtains; a charming height that starts halfway down the window. ItB次元官网网址檚 ideal for bathrooms, breakfast nooks, kitchen windows, and is easy for do-it-yourself projects.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a way of being able to look outside and still have privacy,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淵ou can see the sky, youB次元官网网址檙e looking at trees. I use it all the time with all my projects.B次元官网网址�

For walls and ceilings, McKay likes decals as dramatic room-changers B次元官网网址� great for renters, as they donB次元官网网址檛 damage walls when removed. Etsy has a great selection, she added.

B次元官网网址淎nd the secret to making a house feel cosy is lighting up the corners, the four corners of a room, and thatB次元官网网址檚 not with overhead lighting,B次元官网网址� McKay said.

B次元官网网址淭he up light B次元官网网址� theyB次元官网网址檙e really affordable, theyB次元官网网址檙e at Home Depot B次元官网网址� it just goes on the floor and it has a stand. You can have it behind a sculpture, behind a sofa, behind a plant, and it just creates the ambience.B次元官网网址�

Other must-haves for decorating on a budget, according to McKay: statement pieces from thrift stores, picking up mementos as you travel, and extra-large rugs.

When it comes to choosing the right size of rug though, sheB次元官网网址檚 noticed many clients need help.

B次元官网网址淭he problem I see so often is people put really small rugs in the space and it looks wrong, and people donB次元官网网址檛 know whatB次元官网网址檚 wrong B次元官网网址� the house doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel right, psychologically,B次元官网网址� McKay said, noting there are affordable rug options available, including natural rugs.

B次元官网网址淭he secret is really the oversized rug. Go as big as you can. So make sure, if you can, to have all your sofa legs and chair legs on the rug.B次元官网网址�

Roommates are a reality for many young renters, especially in expensive cities. Both designers said consulting and collaborating in shared spaces is key.

But definitely invest in decluttering and organization solutions, Moffat added. ItB次元官网网址檚 hard to enjoy a beautiful room if everyoneB次元官网网址檚 junk is everywhere.

B次元官网网址淲hen weB次元官网网址檙e living with people, the frustration begins when you have to take care of somebody elseB次元官网网址檚 stuff, because itB次元官网网址檚 in your way,B次元官网网址� Moffat said. B次元官网网址淎nd so find those solutions where you donB次元官网网址檛 have a ton of space B次元官网网址� finding wall storage through hooks, finding shelving, finding that organization.B次元官网网址�

Go thrifting, consider refurbishing a quality item, and, when youB次元官网网址檙e able, invest in long-term pieces. Moffat works on the construction side as well, and notes the carbon footprints and landfills associated with constant production.

B次元官网网址淛ust remember that purchasing cheap quality multiple times is actually more expensive than investing in high quality,B次元官网网址� Moffat said.

B次元官网网址淪o a lot of times we will go and find that cheap furniture place, and weB次元官网网址檒l get a couch, and itB次元官网网址檒l cost maybe $500. But thereB次元官网网址檚 opportunities to go second-hand B次元官网网址� maybe the fabric isnB次元官网网址檛 up to date, or itB次元官网网址檚 not your style B次元官网网址� but invest in those key pieces and donB次元官网网址檛 just buy for the sake of buying.

B次元官网网址淓ven accessories B次元官网网址� accessories are very trendy, right? And so finding those pieces second-hand, and reducing the amount that we have to produce, is really important.B次元官网网址�