Decorate on a Dime: Tips for Stylish Home Decor on a Budget
Artwork is an integral part of any room, and it can make your home feel luxurious. You can find inexpensive art at thrift stores and even create framed artwork with DIY materials. The easiest and cheapest way to freshen up your home is by simply moving around the decor you already have. Fewer, more oversized items are more pleasing than tons of little knick-knacks that can feel like clutter.
Find Inexpensive Pieces
When shopping for home decor, it’s essential to keep in mind that you don’t have to spend a fortune. You can often create a stylish, cohesive home simply by restyling what you already own or buying cheap home decor online. For example, a few new area rugs can completely transform any room and add a sense of warmth without costing too much. To make saving for your decorating budget easier, consider creating a separate bank account for this purpose and start transferring money every time you get paid. Alternatively, you can temporarily reduce your cable or phone package, cut back on eating out, and so on to help you put aside money for home decorating regularly.
The same goes for other significant elements, such as furniture and artwork, that can dramatically impact your home. If you want to spend less on these items, look for thrift stores and student gallery shows selling cheap art pieces. You could also try redefining what constitutes wall art by turning old mirrors and picture frames into works of art or displaying family photos more creatively.
Keep It Simple
Many DIY projects are out there for decorating your home without emptying your wallet. But starting with a budget is essential, especially if you’re doing any renovations. That way, you’ll have a buffer in case things go over. It’s also essential to plan and prioritize based on needs (like a new couch or window treatments) rather than wants (like an accent wall). That way, over time, you can save up for high-priced items, like swapping plastic light fixtures for metal ones. Remember to incorporate some inexpensive finishing touches, such as fruit, greenery, or fresh flowers, to give your room a splash of color and a cozier vibe. Plus, you can repurpose your furniture to create new looks in different spots in the room. As a bonus, this is a great way to eliminate things you no longer use or need. Having a sale or putting them online can be a great way to earn money to fund your next project.
Pick Your Favorite Colors
Playing around with colors is one of the most fun ways to decorate your home. While I’m not saying to paint every room cobalt blue (that’s a little too bold for my taste), choosing your favorite color(s) can help you create a home decor theme that feels like you. The best way to pick your home’s colors is to look at the furniture and decor you already have and choose a wall color that goes with it. You can also use a piece of artwork, a photo, or even a patterned fabric to inspire your paint colors. Once you’ve chosen a few colors to decorate with, try rearranging the furniture and decor that you have to see how it looks in new arrangements. Reorganizing and moving decor pieces is often cheaper than buying new ones; you can better understand how your space might work with the existing furniture and decor before making any purchases. Also, if you need clarification on your new paint color, ask the paint store to put a sample on a wall in your home.
Move It Around
When decorating on a dime, one of the best things you can do is move around what you have. Changing up the location of accent pieces can make them look completely new and fresh! Try a new arrangement of books on your shelf, reshuffle the furniture in a room, or hang up a different photo on your wall. Similarly, a great way to decorate on a dime is to play upon your home’s architectural features. If there’s a window or other focal point in a room, use it to your advantage by highlighting it with simple drapes or a pretty table runner. If you’re serious about saving money for home decor, set up a separate savings account just for that purpose. You can also avoid buying coffee or other unnecessary expenses, switch banks with lower or no fees, etc. By putting aside a little bit of money every week, you can eventually have an excellent amount to fund your next home decorating project!
Go With a Theme
Decorating on a budget doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. It just means focusing on the bigger things, such as choosing an overall color palette, selecting area rugs and window treatments, and filling in with accents later. Most things you need are already in your home; rearranging furniture can give a room a fresh, new look without cost. Repurposing existing decor pieces, such as turning squares of pretty wrapping paper into art or framing greeting cards you’ve always liked. Repainting wood furniture and adding decorative knobs to soulless cabinets are inexpensive, creative ways to refresh a piece. Another easy way to accessorize on a budget is by using nature as your inspiration. Displaying tall sticks and pinecones or a bushel of orange tulips can help create a gorgeous focal point for any room.
