Paint on a Budget: Transform Your Interiors with These Easy DIY Paint Ideas (Even If You Ignore the Bunnings Guy)
What would otherwise be fairly uninteresting made fabulous with some bold paint choices. Now it’s your turn.
Looking to spruce up your home on a budget? Want a fresh look without calling in the pros (or maxing out your credit card)? Here’s a little secret: paint is your most powerful, low-cost design tool.
Whether you're tackling a full room makeover or just trying to cover up years of wall ‘character’ (read: grubby fingerprints and mystery scuffs), a tin of paint and a weekend is often all you need to create a huge impact.
And yes—it’s the ultimate easy DIY. Just maybe take the advice from the Bunnings staff this time. Unlike me, who confidently winged it… and promptly repainted the whole thing a week later.
Why Paint Is the Best Budget-Friendly Interior Update
Lowest cost, biggest visual return
Beginner-friendly (hello, long weekend project)
Easy to update when trends or your taste change
Works in rental homes (just check the rules first)
But here’s the thing: this isn’t just about slapping on a flat colour. There’s a whole world of creative paint techniques that can add texture, movement, and personality to your interiors—without blowing the budget.
1. Rag Rolling – Vintage Texture with a DIY Twist
If I’m honest, I’m not sure how much I love this effect but have very fond memeories of my very English Nana pointing it out at our local train station when I was a kid. She happliy explained that after the blitz, everyone got busy with his technique…and even gave me a run down on how to do it. She certainly read the room correctly, I was fascinated.
But I digress. Yes, it’s called rag rolling (also known as ragging - sounds fun), and it deserves a comeback. Popular in post-war Britain when wallpaper was scarce, this simple paint technique involves rolling a cloth or sponge over a glazed base coat to create soft, organic textures.
Think of it as a way to add depth and character to your walls without the cost of wallpaper. It’s perfect for feature walls, hallways, or cosy powder rooms.
2. Limewash Paint – Soft, Earthy, and Absolutely Nothing Like the ’90s Trend
Soft, textural and world away from the 1990’s sandpaper vibe of old.
If you’re chasing a natural, textural vibe, limewash paint is your new best friend. Made with slaked lime and natural pigments, it creates a chalky, suede-like finish with subtle tonal movement that looks incredible in everything from soft neutrals to rich, moody hues.
And let’s be clear: this is light-years away from those ’90s sponge-paint disasters. You know the ones—Tuscan mustard walls, terracotta trims, and enough texture to give your arm gravel rash if you brushed against it. (Still have mild PTSD? Same.)
Limewash is grown-up texture. Effortless. Earthy. Understated. It works especially well on rendered or plastered walls and pairs beautifully with natural stone, timber, and curved architectural features. Brands like Bauwerk Colour or Porter’s Paints do brilliant ranges, and once you see it on the wall, you’ll never go back to flat paint again.
3. Hand-Painted Stripes & Patterns – Add Personality, Not Cost
An example of all of the above done brilliantly. Image credit, @studiocolors_cds
Stripes aren’t just for wallpaper. Hand-painted stripes or colour-blocked shapes are a creative way to bring architectural interest to a blank wall. Designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard uses painted patterns to stunning effect in his Moroccan-inspired interiors—and you can too.
Use masking tape to mark out designs and experiment with contrasting colours or tonal variations. It’s a great DIY option that costs little more than a few sample pots and your Saturday afternoon.
But don’t just think stripes. Google geometric and colour blocked rooms and prepare to be amazed.
4. Use Multiple Paint Colours in One Room – Mix, Don’t Match
The Dulux Australia colour team are geniuses in my book. This is from the Dulux 2025 Colour Forecast.
Forget matchy-matchy. One of the easiest ways to add personality to your home with paint is by using multiple colours in a single space. Highlight alcoves, paint one wall a feature colour, or use tone-on-tone shades to zone open-plan areas.
Need help choosing colours? Head to the Dulux Australia website—a goldmine of inspiration, colour pairings, and seasonal trends. Their Dulux Colour Forecast is a must if you’re not sure where to start.
5. Colour Drenching – One Colour, All In
My ultimate style icon, Halston. Played by Ewan McGregor in the Netflix series of the same name, the sets depicting the designer’s office were to die for and a masterclass in colour drenching. Make sure you check out the series, I’ll bring the popcorn.
Colour drenching is the trend taking over design mags—and for good reason…And yes, I bleat about this all the time. It’s bold, immersive, and seriously chic. The idea? Choose a single colour and paint everything—walls, ceiling, trims, even furniture.
The result is a cocoon-like feel that works beautifully in bedrooms, offices or small spaces. Choose soft pastels for a calm vibe, or go dramatic with navy, charcoal or olive.
6. Ombre Walls – For the Brave, the Bold, or the Blissfully Delusional
The James Said Bistro in Melbourne by Greg Natale. This whole thing makes me giddy with delight.
Thinking of trying an ombre wall? First of all—love the ambition. Second—maybe pour yourself a strong coffee (or wine) and brace yourself.
Ombre is where two or more colours blend seamlessly into one another from light to dark (or vice versa), usually from top to bottom. When done well, it looks like art. Atmospheric, ethereal, a bit dreamy. When done less well… well, let’s just say it can resemble the aftermath of a paint fight in a wind tunnel.
This one’s for the confident DIYer—or the deeply optimistic one. The technique involves wet blending two shades directly on the wall, usually with wide brushes or sponges and a fair bit of arm workout. It takes planning, patience, and a light touch.
Hot tip: start on a small wall or behind a door if you’re testing the waters. And maybe don’t attempt this 30 minutes before guests arrive.
But if you nail it? Instant hero status.
Final Tips: Listen, Learn, and Paint Like a Pro
Always test paint samples in different lighting.
Prep properly (clean, patch, prime!) for the best finish.
Don’t skip the chat with the Bunnings staff—they know their stuff.
And if you mess it up? It’s just paint. You can always go again.
And yes, I skipped stencil applications in this blog. Why? Because unless you’re Banksy, keep me out of it.
Wrap Up: Big Results, Small Budget, Maximum Vibes
If you’ve got a brush, a plan, and a few hours, you’ve got everything you need to completely change the vibe of a room. From limewash finishes to DIY colour-blocking, paint is the most affordable interior design hack there is.
So, grab a roller and a few bold ideas. Your budget-friendly dream space is just a tin away.