Your home doesn’t need everything new to feel fresh or stylish – this is how I repurpose old things to save money and create something unique

Striped kitchen banquette seating around round wooden table with Christmas decor on the walls.

Home decorator Lara Winter is one of Ideal Home's new Open House contributors, sharing her thoughts on revamping a 200 year old cottage to make it right for modern family life. See the rest of her articles here.

Let’s be honest: decorating your home can feel like a constant chorus of “buy this, upgrade that, here’s a brand-new must-have.” Exhausting. And also… expensive. Personally, I’d rather save my money (and my patience) by giving old things a second life. It’s cheaper, it’s fun, and it makes your home feel like you, not like a showroom.