Tile Africa shares 5 Tips to Affordably Tuning Up your Starter Home

In the media, millennials are often treated like the proverbial younger sibling, mocked for their shortcomings (when exactly will Instagramming cappuccino get old?) and begrudged for how easy they have it, in comparison to their predecessors. 

Yes, everyone under the age of 29 has heard the forever famous words “In my day…” from a greying relative at some point. But fewer people are focussing on the things that have become harder for this generation – living in a world characterised by a viciously competitive job market and failing economies – like owning a house, much less decorating it. Whether you’ve taken that leap and put a deposit on your own place, or even if you’re still renting, these tips from Tile Africa Retail Displays Manager Liza Watermeyer will help you put a few finishing touches on the place where you go to get away from it all – to make it feel like a real home.

The bathroom There’s no faster way to tune up a bathroom than with fresh hardware. Some sparkly new taps and faucets will make all the difference, without breaking the bank. Hanging up pictures is not always ideal in a bathroom setting. This is especially true if you’re renting and the bathroom is floor to ceiling tiles – most landlords won’t take kindly to you knocking nails into their tiles for your pictures.

Though they’re not so likely to object if it’s for something more practical like a vanity mirror, shelf or towel-heating rack, all of which will bring some personality to this commonly stark space. If you’re a homeowner, you can get away with something more adventurous, like a decorative mosaic tile border, shower floor or shower shelving.

The kitchen Once again you can hit up the kitchen sink with some shiny new metal, such as a new sink mixer in a modern style. A tiled splashback will do wonders for the aesthetic of your kitchen, not to mention that they are also a life-saver when it comes to those unwelcome after-supper tidy ups (on the downside, one less excuse for take-out). Finally, replacing a few of those kitchen cupboard handles will completely transform the room.

Other parts of the home If your dream of beautiful wooden floors were dashed by the price tag, the good news is that wood-look tiles can give you the same look for a fraction of the cost, and without the maintenance struggles. You can also apply the mosaic trend to other areas of the home, such as accent walls and fireplace hearths. Gallery walls may be big on Pinterest, but those box frames and premium prints can be big on your monthly bank statements as well. Why not opt for a gallery wall of tiles featuring interesting designs?

They’re great for indoors and out! “It’s not about how much you pay, but how you use it,” says Liza. And finally, if all else fails, a fresh lick of paint and a professional cleaning service can do a world of good to a house with less discerning previous tenants or owners. For more useful tips visit a Tile Africa store and make use of their Idea Hubs where you can sample and compare products, or speak to one of their design advisors.

Go to www.tileafrica.co.za to locate a store near you.