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Ashlee O'Grady

How to make Cheap Interior Design work for you.

Yep I said it - cheap interior design.

Call it cheap, call it affordable, call it on a budget. Whatever you call it, it IS possible to find an interior designer who can work their magic without requiring you to be a millionaire.


Sounds good, especially these days with the cost of living right? We might be on a budget but we still want to feel comfortable and happy with the spaces we live in every day.


Great news, you're in the right spot!

I pride myself on being able to provide affordable interior design and styling to the many people (to borrow a choice phrase from IKEA). This means mid-range clients are my favourite people. Let me explain further...



Dining room with vintage chairs and table in front of a window.
Dining room using Mid Century furniture


My Personality


It's who I am, I love working with average Sam out there. He/She has a cluttered house with a mash of styles, inherited furniture and random purchases from Kmart. No judgement here! I want to help you edit out the unnecessary pieces, add in a few key items and VOILAAAA suddenly your lounge room is a space you can be proud to invite your friends to.



Mixing cheap with investment pieces


We all know that to some extent, you get what you pay for. If you need a solid dining table to suit 10 people, I'm not going to recommend something from Cheap as Chips, obviously.

The best thing to do is mix in quality investment pieces which might cost more initially but will last you much longer. There are great options at mid-level places such as Freedom Furniture and even IKEA has some solid pieces if you know what to look for. If your budget doesn't allow for this, we can also look at secondhand and upcycling options. It's a great way to add character and personality to a design because no one else will have the same piece!


When it comes in interior decorating, there are so many options.

Decor such as lighting, cushions, vases and everything in between can be sourced from suppliers to suit your budget. Yes, this means helping you select the best options for your design from places such as IKEA, Kmart, Freedom, Adairs and all the random op shops. Ensuring that it works with the whole design is the magic key - no impulse purchases here.


Trade Sources


As an interior designer, I have access to trade accounts and suppliers to make sure we can get a better price for you. I also have access to suppliers that don't sell to the general public, giving you more options and a unique design.


Trends or Enduring design?


Trends come and go, as a whole we are easily influenced in what we 'like'. The best design will take into account your personal taste and situation in life, as well as your budget. Investment pieces where you spend the most will be the most neutral in terms of 'on trend' as you don't want them to date. We want these to have enduring design, something you'll love forever. Even after the Boucle Bubble that's happening at the moment! (have you noticed boucle - that nubby fabric - on just about everything? )


Our set fee packages


The last part I want to mention as a 'cheap interior designer' is our set fee packages. As it's not an hourly fee, you know exactly what the charge is upfront. No hidden surprises! The initial Interior Design Consultation for $250 is a bargain for the amount of information you'll get from an experience professional.

As a side note, you do have to be realistic. Cheap is not free, and I still have to make a living wage out of my profession!


Comment below if you have any questions! I'd love to hear from you.


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