DIY More, Spend Less: The Centrepoint Update

It always begins the same way—new bedsheets, a backpack for the kids, maybe a candle to fake the scent of a freshly cleaned home. The only real decision? Face the chaos of the mall… or shop in your pajamas, coffee in hand, from the comfort of your couch.But if you’re smart about it, Centrepoint can save you more than you might imagine—not only through surprise bargains but also through genuine tricks to stagger your dirhams. 

Time vs. Money Showdown—Mall vs. Centrepoint Online 

And now, let us debunk this myth once and for all— does the mall really cost you more?

Here is a real-life side-by-side, along with 7 practical takeaways:

1. Commute Burn: A shopper in the UAE spends at least 2-3 hours in each mall visit. Parking. Queuing. Window-shopping detours.
2. The Hidden costs: Petrol, parking, and a snack stop “while you’re there”—easily add AED 50–100 to a single run.
3. Impulse Trap: Buying in-store results in including more in a shopping cart than online shoppers spend, often 30 percent, according to research.
4. Easy Returns: Returning in-store means another trip. Online often means free pickup or easy drop at partner points.

The DIY Flip—7 Hacks to Make Cheap Look Chic

1) Canopy Hack on Bedsheet

Buy: Bedsheets from Home Centre or Lifestyle—they stock affordable cotton sheets in solid colors (white, pastel) or subtle prints.

Why: A Light and airy bedsheets are more convenient to cover than heavy material.

DIY: Use small ceiling hooks and suspend the sheet over a corner bed or reading nook; add battery-powered fairy lights.

2️)  Old Tees → Memory Quilt

Buy: Plain cotton tees, good quality, or graphic tees for younger kids at Splash.

Why: Soft cotton mixes well, and Splash basics are affordable.

DIY: Cut old T-shirts into squares and sew them into a memory blanket. In case you are not able to sew, get iron-on strips of hem tape to fuse the pieces.

3) Mason Jar Upcycle

Buy: Lifestyle home accessories include storage jars, small spice jars, and candle jars.

Why: Budget sets of lifestyles are usually less than AED 50.

Ways to DIY: Wrap the neck with twine, label with chalk signs, or use oil paint to cover half of the jar, creating a fashionable colour block effect.

4) Cushion Cover Remix

Buy: 1-2 statement cushion covers and 2-3 plain basics from the home centre.

Why: It follows seasonal trends like geometrical, boho, and neutral.

How to DIY: Combine textures like velvet, linen, and faux fur. Use odd numbers (3 or 5) on a sofa to fake a designer look.

5) T-Shirt Yarn Basket

Buy: A Multipack of cotton tees from Splash or a pack of kids at Babyshop.

Why: Old or simple tees are the best “yarn.”

How to DIY: Use strips of cut tee and stretch a bit in order to make yarn. Curl into small baskets to store keys, toys, or stuff on the desk.

6) Luxe Candle Upgrade

Buy: Simple jar candles at Lifestyle or Home Centre; they carry seasonal scents and simple glass jars all the time.

Why: Low-cost candles have a luxurious appearance with minor modifications.

How to DIY: Drape your candle in lace or twine, add a little label, or put it into a bigger glass vase packed with decorative pebbles or sand. To have a designer flair, cluster three.

7) Photo Frame Wall Grid 

Buy: Inexpensive basic photo frames at Lifestyle—they sell them in multi-packs or individually in black, white, or metallic.

Why: Assembled matching frames appear to be more valuable at first glance.

How to DIY: Spray paint each frame one colour to match, place a picture or print into each frame, and hammer onto the wall tightly grouped in a grid so it creates a gallery-like wall.

Saving Smarter—Stack Shukran + Your Card

This is what clever shoppers do to ensure they have the best final price and they do not look cheap:

1. Double-Dip Shukran: Get points on sale items as well: People don't think about it.

2. Wishlist Smart: Add your faves.The app alarms you when it decreases the price; you do not fear the loss, no FOMO.

3. Card Promos: UAE cards come with cashback, points, or no-interest installments. Where possible, combine.

4. Timing: Go shopping during payday or on Eid or DSf where sitewide markdowns are offered.

5. Multi-Store Combo: Grab a point multiplier when you shop at several Landmark brands—and use the stacked points on Centrepoint.

More Savvy Shopping, More Flip It

Centrepoint’s shelves (or digital aisles) are stocked with everyday upgrades—if you know how to shop them right.

Protect your weekends, save with Shukran occasionally, mix and match a shortcut of a Barakatalan’s Centrepoint Coupons, and transform the easiest purchases into a home experience that is worth pinning.Your wallet and living room will appreciate you.