I love a good room refresh — the kind that makes you smile when you walk in but doesn’t require a full renovation or blowing the budget. Recently I gave my bedroom a mini-makeover for under £50 and it reminded me how powerful small changes can be: a fresh coat of paint, a swap of textiles and a focused scent update completely shifted the mood. Below I share what I did, why it worked, and exactly how you can do the same (with a few brand suggestions and a realistic shopping list).

Start by deciding what you want to feel

Before buying a single thing, I sat on my bed with a cup of tea and thought about how I wanted the room to feel: calm, bright and a little cosy. That intention guided every decision. If you want energised and colourful, choose bolder hues and patterns; if you want restful, go for soft neutrals and layered textures. Setting the mood first saves money because you avoid impulse buys that don’t fit the vision.

Paint: the biggest impact for the least money

Paint is where I spent the bulk of my budget and got the most "wow." A single accent wall or the lower half of a room painted in a subtle colour can transform the space without repainting everything.

My approach:

  • Choose one focal wall — behind the bed or the wall you see first when you enter.
  • Buy a tester pot first (around £3–£5). Test it on poster board and on the wall — natural light will change how it reads.
  • I used a mid-tone warm grey on my wall. It made the existing furniture look fresher without masking the room’s natural light.

    • Practical tips:

  • Use cheap masking tape and a small angled brush to make neat edges. I always run a fingertip along the tape edge to press it down — it helps stop bleed.
  • For small rooms, choose an eggshell or satin finish — it’s easier to wipe and hides minor imperfections better than a flat matt.
  • Look for budget brands at B&Q, Wilko or Homebase. Many offer decent emulsion and small pots that are perfect for accent walls.

    • Textiles: swap, layer and shop smart

    Textiles are my favourite way to refresh a room. New cushion covers, a throw and a rug (or just moving an existing rug) creates instant cohesion.

    What I did:

  • Swapped two bright patterned cushions for three in a complementary palette (soft terracotta and cream) — cushion covers are far cheaper than new cushions.
  • Added a textured throw at the foot of the bed to create warmth.
  • Replanted my existing lightweight curtains with heavier ones from a charity shop find — they block drafts and make the room feel cosier.

    • Where to shop on a budget:

  • IKEA and Dunelm are excellent for affordable, on-trend cushion covers and throws; H&M Home often has textured pieces that look designer for less.
  • Don’t underestimate charity shops, Facebook Marketplace and Etsy for unique cushion covers and vintage textiles. I once found a linen throw for £8 that looks much more expensive.

    • Tip: Use neutral base textiles (white sheets, neutral duvet) and change smaller accents seasonally.

    Scent: the final, often overlooked layer

    Scent sets the emotional tone of a room. I spent under £10 on fragrance for this refresh and it made a disproportionate difference.

    Low-cost scent ideas:

  • DIY room spray: mix 200ml distilled water, 20ml vodka (or witch hazel) and 10–15 drops of essential oil (lavender for calm, grapefruit for fresh). Put in a spray bottle and mist linens or curtains.
  • A single, good-quality candle or reed diffuser can last weeks. Look for smaller brands or travel-sized candles from Boots, The White Company sale sections, or local makers on Etsy.
  • Place a small ceramic diffuser with a couple of drops of essential oil by your bedside for a subtle, constant scent.

    • My pick: I used lavender and bergamot — calming but not sleepy — and tucked a little linen spray into the pillowcase. Guests keep asking why the room smells so nice.

    Declutter, edit and rearrange — it costs nothing

    Before I opened my wallet, I decluttered. I cleared surfaces, bundled cables and found three items to donate. A quick shuffle of furniture (pulling the bed slightly away from the wall, angling a chair) improved flow and made the room feel new.

    Small styling moves that feel expensive but are free:

  • Round up books by colour for a neater look.
  • Use a tray to corral small items on a bedside table — it looks curated instantly.
  • Remove mismatched things; aim for five "statement" pieces rather than a dozen random ones.

    • Plants and greenery

    I didn’t buy a big plant for this refresh, but I did propagate a pothos cutting and placed it in a small pot by the window — instant freshness. Small plants cost next to nothing and improve air quality and wellbeing.

  • Look for cuttings from friends, local plant swaps, or small succulents from supermarkets.
  • Repot into thrifted mugs or inexpensive terracotta pots for personality.

    • Budget breakdown (example)

    Item Where Approx. cost
    Tester paint pot B&Q / Wilko £4
    Small roller & brush Wilko £6
    Cushion covers (2) IKEA / H&M £12
    Throw Dunelm £10
    Mini candle or reed diffuser Boots / Etsy £8
    Essential oils + spray bottle Superdrug / Amazon £7
    Total £47

    Little mistakes I made so you don’t have to

    I once painted a whole wall the exact same colour as the curtains — it all blurred into one flat mass. Lesson: keep contrast in mind. Also, don’t buy large quantities of paint without testing first; I had to repaint a patch after a rushed decision.

    When I first tried a scent, I overdid it. The space smelt like a perfume shop for two days. Start small — a few drops — and live with it for 24 hours.

    Final styling tips I love

  • Layer textures: a soft throw + a tactile cushion + a neat woven basket for laundry makes the room feel thought-through.
  • Limit competing patterns: choose one bold pattern and offset it with solid, textured pieces.
  • Keep a small "maintenance" list: once a month I wash cushion covers, dust, rotate a plant — simple habits keep the refresh feeling new.

    • None of these updates are revolutionary on their own, but together they created a room that feels calmer, more intentional, and thoroughly like me — all for under £50. If you try any of these ideas, I’d love to see photos or hear how you adapted them to your space. You can tag Tressy Co on social or drop a note via the contact page.