An easy way to keep decorating costs down when you’re redesigning your bedroom is to consider which items are worth spending money on and which could be obtained more cheaply. Check out these ideas on where to watch the pennies and where you’re better off investing a little more cash.

Of course, if you have the money, or if you really love a particular item, it pays to splash out. But if you need to save some money during your bedroom renovation, here are some items that would work just as well on a budget.

Save on: Bed linen

As luxurious as they might be, you don’t need to deck out your whole bed with 100% Egyptian cotton or fine linen sheets, pillowcases and duvet covers. There are plenty of high-quality bedding ranges around that are pretty affordable and perfectly comfortable.

It’s a good idea to invest in a couple of neutral bedding sets that will go with anything. Then you can bring in interest with coloured pillowcases, patterned quilts and textured blankets.

Save on: Lighting

It’s worth giving some thought to the design of your bedroom lighting scheme, but that doesn’t mean you need to spend a fortune on the actual lights. An ideal bedroom lighting plan should include a central pendant for bright, practical illumination, and smaller table or wall lamps for ambient reading light.

Once you’ve got that sorted, you can choose whichever lamps and fittings you like. These all come in such a range of prices that it’s easy to find a good-looking lamp or pendant to suit your budget.

If you do have some extra cash to spend, consider employing an electrician to install new switches, so you can control your lighting from one central hub, as well as individually.

Save on: Rugs

It’s a real treat to have a soft surface to tread on when you get out of bed in the morning, so if your floor is wood, a bedside rug is a must-have. However, there’s no need to blow the budget on an expensive design.

In a high-traffic area, such as a living room or hallway, it’s a good idea to invest in a design that’s super-durable, but your bedroom rug won’t get too much wear and tear. Simply choose a design you love for a price that suits your bank balance.

Save on: Headboards

There are some gorgeous headboards on the market in different materials and stunning designs – and the good thing is, they come in a whole range of prices. If your budget doesn’t stretch to a high-end headboard, hunt around for a more affordable design.

For an even more purse-friendly option, try making your own. Have a piece of MDF or plywood cut to the size you need, then shape a piece of foam to fit on top. Cover it all with a length of fabric and use a staple gun to fix it to the back of your board.

Save on: Bedside tables

Side furniture in your bedroom doesn’t always need to be hard-wearing. A bedside table, for example, is simply used for storing a couple of books and knick-knacks. So you don’t necessarily have to buy a really sturdy design, which gives you more freedom to choose one to suit your budget.

The designers of this bedroom have painted a budget-friendly Ikea stool jet black. It looks cool and stylish in this contemporary room, and the step adds a handy extra surface.

In contrast, there are some areas where it will pay to loosen the purse strings a little.

Invest in: Flooring

While you might not need to splash out on a rug, it’s essential to pay attention to flooring in the bedroom. Bad-quality floorboards can result in draughts and irritating creaks. So it’s worth paying for a professional to make any repairs and ensure the surface feels smooth underfoot.

For added comfort, you could think about installing a carpet – a soft floor covering will make it even more comfortable to pad around barefoot.

Invest in: Window dressings

For a good night’s sleep, it’s best to have a completely dark room, which is where good curtains and/or blinds can come in. It’s worth having your window treatments made to measure by a professional to ensure they fit exactly without allowing chinks of light or draughts to creep in around the edges.

Lined curtains and blinds are also the best option for a bedroom, as they’ll block out more light and give you privacy. So even if lining adds to the cost, this is one area where it pays to splash out.

Invest in: Useful storage

A sleep space should be calm and restful, so a ‘floordrobe’ full of heaped clothes just won’t cut the mustard. In order to keep your bedroom uncluttered, it’s essential to have good storage. Invest in the most practical wardrobe you can afford, and pay attention to how sturdy it is and how many items it will hold.

If you do have some extra budget, it might be worth paying for some bespoke joinery, too. The shelving unit here is brilliantly practical for lining up books you intend to tackle and is even fitted with a couple of flush reading lights.

Invest in: A good mattress

While expensive bed linen might be a luxury you can do without, a good-quality mattress is a necessity. For the sake of your back, it’s worth doing your research and paying for the best one you can afford.

A decent mattress will last you eight years, so hunt around and find the best one to suit you in terms of thickness and firmness.