Savvy Mum Transforms Bedroom Into Incredible Circus Space For Under £200
- Ana Dacre, 40, a mum of five, transformed a dull space into a stunning circus bedroom
- Ana bought bits from Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and Primark
- She also upcycled lots of items she already had at home
If your children have begged you for an incredible room transformation, you’ve probably hesitated due to the expense.
But one upcycling mum has revealed how she managed to transform her daughter’s bedroom from a dull space into a fantastical circus-themed room for under £200.
Ana Dacre, 40, a mum of five from Norwich, upcycled bits and bobs she had lying around at home, buying whatever extra she needed cheaply on Facebook Marketplace, Ebay and Primark.
"I moved into my house in February after living for 11 years in a smaller property,” Ana told money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.
“I’m a bit of a collector and I always think things will get useful at some point and I barely get rid of anything.
"I had everything all planned out so I didn't actually spend any money recently - just here and there for a can of paint or a packet of hooks, but nothing major.
"For years I've been grabbing bits and pieces of stuff such as fabric, wallpapers and trinkets with the idea I will use it all well in my forever house.
"My three-year-old loves circuses. She is totally obsessed and she asked me for a circus room.
"I loved the idea and I decided to make her the canopy first.
“Most things in the circus room were free or very cheap.
“I bought the bookcase off Facebook Marketplace for £8 delivered.
"All the things I already had in either another room in my house or storage and because of money being tight I decided to upcycle them and make them fit into a new space.
“The stripy fabric curtain and canopy didn't cost me either.
"I had the fabric for years and once used it as a temporary curtains but the density of the fabric wasn't right so I put it into storage.
"I looked at how expensive they were online and I thought 'I can make it myself from whatever I already have at home'.
"I used a coat hanger for the round shape, used stripy fabric and cold tubing I had from making something previously, Christmas beaded chains and Christmas bells I took off my tree.
"I sewed the flags with the tubing into a bunting-like shape and then joined it with the canopy curtain on the coat hanger.
"Next came the cabinet which I found free on Facebook Marketplace.
"I painted it into a circus tent design.
“The curtain in the cabinet and the lamp on top of it are also done by myself out of a tea towel from Primark.
"I loved the tea towel but it was too good quality to just get wrecked in the kitchen.
“It measured 50 by 70cm so it was enough for a lampshade, which I put on top of an old damaged lampshade.
"I recovered it so it looks new and tiny tiny offcuts gave me curtains.
"The wallpaper I bought in 2020. I had no idea where I could put it then but I knew I'd move at some point.
“It cost me £14.99 per roll. I bought two. The border was £7.99 and both were from Ebay.
"The yellow wardrobe in there was once in my lounge.
“We used B&Q cabinets for about £100 but we made the doors ourselves using pine board and beading. We cut them ourselves and drilled the holes for hinges.
"Both dressing tables cost me £25 and £20 from Facebook Marketplace. They are both painted in the same light blue paint I already had from previous projects so they didn't cost me anything.
“The curtains cost me about £60 from Ebay, and the seller kindly included fabric offcuts. I used these to upholster both stools in the same fabric, making the design feel seamless at both ends of the room and ensuring everything looked cohesive and well thought out.
“The room cost me under £200, which I was delighted about.
"All the other bits I already had for years and as my house was progressing and transforming over the years they rotated from room to room.
“My top tip is to always check your clutter before you spend money, think outside the box and attempt to make things yourself first. This will make your space one of a kind!
“I'm on maternity leave and have no money and I produced a high-end effect for next to nothing.
“It was great fun and I enjoyed every moment of it. If I could I would do it all again!
"I always wanted to be different - I always wanted everything to flow and be custom made.
"Since I was a small child I was messing with my room and I always strongly believed that spaces can be extraordinary if you close your eyes and use your imagination.
"I was always fascinated by interiors since I was as young as five.
“Back in the day, kids usually had one very generic piece of furniture common for the era and I've always felt like it doesn't have to be this way.
"I am very proud of myself for transforming so much in such little time.
"I love interiors so much that I've done them before for family or friends as a free help not expecting anything in exchange.
“I’m really happy I managed to transform the room for under £200 because my budget is very small as I’m currently on maternity leave from my job working in a kitchen and bathroom showroom.
“I could have probably done it even cheaper, but there were just some things I couldn't give up on - like matchy matchy curtains and wallpaper!
"Doing amazing things on a tight budget is my thing and I love proving to people that it's possible without spending a fortune!”
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, comments: “Many of us scrolling on Instagram may feel discouraged when we see stunning homes that seem way out of our budget.
“But Ana is proof that you don’t need to spend a fortune to make your home look absolutely stunning and high-end.
“I’m amazed at how little she’s spent to create this dream circus room for her daughter!
“One of my favourite places for home bargains is Wilko, which is currently offering 50% off many items with our special code.”
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