A teen design-whizz has proved how people of all ages and experiences can transform their home during lockdown.
Kane Hardy, 15, from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, decided to give his previously dark bedroom a new luxurious style using products from the likes of B&M and eBay – and he did it for under £200.
The teen glossed his furniture, added lots of bling to his room and even created designer coffee table books.
‘I have always wanted to be an interior designer and study design – it’s just always something I have had such a passion for,’ he said, speaking to money-saving community LatestDeals.co.uk.
Kane Hardy, 15, from Kings Lynn, Norfolk, decided to transform his previously dark bedroom during lockdown. Pictured, before
The teen gave his room a new luxurious feel for just £200 – using buys from the likes of B&M and eBay. Pictured, after the transformation
Creative Kane (pictured) said he has always wanted to be an interior designer and study design – adding it’s something he’s always had such a passion for
‘I came up with the final design and style as the last design for my room that I did, I just wasn’t 100% satisfied with.
‘I liked it but it just wasn’t the style for me anymore. With being stuck inside, I was constantly wanting to design and decorate something and I just thought to myself, ‘why not change my room again?’.
Prior to the transformation, Kane’s room had light grey walls, dark grey and silver striped wallpaper, and mustard accessories – and so it was quite a change going from dark walls to pure white.
‘I did a few small up-cycling projects with some of the decor, like glossing my bedside tables, the fireplace, an old pine coffee table,’ he explained. ‘I even glossed and blinged up an old chandelier.’
The savvy 15-year-old spent £200 on paint, wallpaper, bling ornaments, clock, photo frames, shelf and accessories to transform his bedroom. Pictured, before the transformation
The teen glossed his furniture, added lots of bling to his room and even created designer coffee table books (pictured)
‘I would definitely not advise people to use chalk furniture paint as it chips and scratches so easily. Gloss is definitely so much more hard-wearing. I used Dulux High Gloss from Wickes.
‘I spent £200 on the paint, wallpaper, bling ornaments, clock, photo frames, shelf and accessories.
‘The wallpaper cost £30, the paint was £15, the clock was £10, the gloss was £15, the curtain and lights were around £25, and the rest was spent on the bling accessories.
‘The white and marble drawers were originally matte black, with black gloss effect fronts. I sanded them down lightly, glossed them and then wallpapered the front.
‘I made the books by covering the front of them with card, and adding some bling bits and some designer logos, printed from online, and the LV print was from Google and I hand stuck each diamond on it.
Kane advised DIY fans to use gloss rather than chalk furniture paint – because the latter chips and scratches easily. Pictured, the marble table
The teen is Kane delighted with how his room has turned out, and says the transformation has been the perfect lockdown project. Pictured, after
Kane (pictured) by the books on the table by covering the front of them with card, and adding some bling bits and some designer logos, printed from online
He continued: ‘I also glossed the chandelier by lightly sanding down the plastic, wiping it down and then glossing over it. Then I added some bling strips and some new chandelier diamonds bought from ebay.
‘I got a lot of the items from places that are still open, like B&M and Wickes, and ordered things when I could.’
Kane is delighted with how his room has turned out, and says the transformation has been the perfect lockdown project.
‘I am in love with my room and I am so so glad that I did decide to change it,’ he added.
Prior to the transformation, Kane’s room had light grey walls, dark grey and silver striped wallpaper, and mustard accessories (pictured, before)
Kane added that he is ‘in love’ with his room and is so pleased that he decided to change it. Pictured, the stylish fireplace
‘I think that this project definitely helped me during these very sad times that we are in right now, as it helped me take my mind off of things, and gave me something to do and to look forward to seeing the finished piece.
‘The rough overall price for the whole transformation (including bling ornaments) came to about £200, and it’s entirely worth it. I am completely over the moon with it!’
Tom Church, co-founder of LatestDeals.co.uk, commented: ‘Kane is an interior design prodigy! This is the kind of room I expect to see inside a glossy magazine. That he’s done it for £200 is fantastic, and with upcycling too.
‘Many of us are sitting at home twiddling our thumbs during lockdown, so what better time to get stuck into a home improvement project?
‘Kane’s creativity is obvious in the amazing before and after shots of his bedroom. He should be very proud.’