How to Decorate Your Home On A Budget

Ah, your home. Your sanctuary. Your place of solitude and happiness. The place to make your own and decorate according to your personality. Your special little safe place where you can unwind and relax after a long day. Everyone has different tastes and needs for their homes. Likewise, everyone also has different spaces and budgets to decorate with. So, what happens if you don’t have a big budget to decorate your home? Well, the good news is that there are plenty of great options out there to decorate on a tight budget. In this article, we will look at the various ways you can create a beautiful environment, all without going bankrupt in the process.

First things first…make a plan

The trick to starting your decoration process is to take a step back, look at the space and plan everything from the beginning. Plus, look at everything you already own. Can it be reused or revamped? If you know what you want and already have, you can save a ton of money. Create a vision board of end result, then you can:

• Rearrange furniture

  Start by looking at how your rooms are currently arranged. Are they totally optimized for traffic and energy flow? Can you shift things around a bit to give it a different look and feel? It may surprise you just how much of a difference rearranging furniture can make. Doing so can give you a fresh new look **and **open up space you didn’t realize you had. By testing out different furniture placements, you can change the look of your home for free!

• Use what you’ve got

  When was the last time you went through your cupboards and shelves to see what you have tucked away? You never know, you might find a family heirloom or something that you’d completely forget existed. Often, such items just need a tweak or some fresh paint, and voila, good as new! You can also combine little trinkets you already own into great little displays. Use Pinterest and Instagram to look for some cool ideas to freshen up your own belongings. There are plenty of ways to use your household things, and it’s totally free!

• Go neutral

  Use neutral colors for your bigger items and furniture. Doing so means you only have to splurge once, and they will have a longer and much more adaptable lifespan. Not only can you move them from room to room, but also from house to house. Then, for a little extra panache, decorate with small and colorful yet inexpensive items. This includes things like:

  • cushions;
  • lamps;
  • throw rugs;
  • art;
  • planters and bowls;
  • runners.

  You can find these on the cheap and swap them should your taste change.

• Try the minimalist look

  The minimalist look is pretty much what modern-day decor is all about. It eliminates clutter whilst focusing on a few key features. This is a great interior design style for your home that won’t break the bank. Ironically, many spend hundreds of thousands to achieve this look, meanwhile, you’re doing it for free!

• Consider the shape of your furniture

  Be savvy when picking out furniture. Look at the size and shape as well as its value for money. Remember, you can always reupholster at a later stage. Opt for something that is shaped well or perhaps even has hidden storage units.

• Upcycle furniture

  It’s time to get your Martha Stewart on! Before simply throwing something out, see if there is something you can do with it first. You can easily revamp something with a bit of creativity. A coat of paint or varnish, a new upholstery, or perhaps a bit of découpage. There are plenty of options out there to give your furniture a new lease of life. Check out Pinterest, Instagram, and YouTube for a bit of crafty inspo.

• Declutter your home

  It’s oh so easy to unintentionally hoard over the years. The end result? Your home is a cluttered mess! So, give it the spring clean it needs and get rid of the pre-loved clutter. It can be tough, we get it, especially if you feel some sort of emotional attachment to something. But do you really need that box of old clothes you’re never going to wear again? Chances are, once they’re gone, you’ll never even think about it again.

• Develop a good lighting scheme

  Let’s face it, the most luxurious homes are spacious and light-filled. If you are on a budget though, chances are it might be tough to replicate this. Try to make the most of natural light. Or, try a layered lighting scheme that will enhance the look of your home. Shine lights up into corners and invest in some mood lighting. Examples of lighting you can find fairly cheap include:

  • dim lamps;
  • floor lamps;
  • moon lamps;
  • Moroccan lamps;
  • Himalayan salt lamps;
  • soft fairy lights;
  • color-changing LED strip lights;
  • lava lamps;
  • and galaxy projectors.

Next up, budget shopping

The next thing to look at is how much you are going to spend. Home decor doesn’t need to cost an arm and a leg! It all depends on where you look.

• Separate budget buys vs. not-budging items

  Basic decor items don’t need to come with a huge price tag. However, you might want to save a bit and splurge on that certain sofa or bed frame. Whatever it may be, clearly separate the items you can get cheaply from those that require a bit more bacon.

• Shop at flea markets

  Make Phoebe Buffay proud and go check out your local flea market! Pre-loved items make a great addition to your home, all at a great price. You can find brag-worthy deals on so many unique pieces and gems once you’re in the swing of it. And don’t be afraid to haggle my friend!

• Thrift shopping

  Like flea markets, thrifting for furniture and décor is a great way to make your money go further. Again, you can find some absolute gems in your local thrift store. However, a word of warning. Some antique and thrift stores sell mass-produced items claiming they are antiques for escalated prices. It’s best to do a bit of research first.

• Download apps

  There are plenty of apps and websites out there where you can find cheap and even free pre-loved items. Depending on where you are in the world, you can shop at your fingertips, using your phone. Some examples include apps like Freecycle and LetGo. But be sure to look for something in your region.

• Make a garage sale map

  Garage and estate sales are great places to score cheap home décor and furniture. Granted, they may have lost popularity since back in the day, but you can easily find some with a quick Google search. Facebook Marketplace is also a great place to track down some cheap and cheerful items.

Get your DIY on

You can cut costs when decorating your home by doing some of it yourself. Try out some of the below, and you never know, you might discover a new talent or hobby in the process.

• Give a new lick of paint

  Painting is one of the easiest, and least expensive, ways to transform your home. Whether it’s a statement wall or just the trims, you will be surprised how much you can change a room. Remember, if you’re renting, get permission first.

• Create a gallery with framed wallpaper

  Frames are a great way to spruce up a wall. Frame up some samples or offcuts of wallpaper in identical frames. Or even different images in a variety of different frames. You could even use offcuts of fabric if you don’t have wallpaper to hand.

• Make your own artwork

  From painting to drawing, or even some fabric to decorate a wall. Using an old duvet cover, your favorite scarf, or even a thrift-store dress to stretch over a canvas and hang on your wall. If you have enough fabric left over, make a couple of cushion covers too, you know, to really tie the room together.

Be savvy with accessories

The key to a well-decorated room is in the accessories. Here, you don’t need to spend much. But, pick a theme, a color, or a look, and keep your eye out for some gorgeous accessories.

• Look for affordable accessories

  Look for the following when making your list:

  • inexpensive Chinese porcelain;
  • woven trays;
  • placemats,
  • basketware;
  • runners;
  • frames;
  • pots and planters;
  • canvas pictures;
  • mirrors;
  • serving plates;
  • vases;
  • bowls.

• Plants or fresh flowers are a must

  The cheapest and most effective way to decorate your home is by getting plants. Plants breathe life into any living room color scheme and in a neutral room. They add color, depth, and life to absolutely any room and don’t have to cost a ton. Researchers at NASA also found that houseplants can remove up to 87% of toxins in the air per day. But, hey, if you know you’re no plant mom and they’ll end up dead within weeks, no shame here! Opt for some plastic plants and flowers instead.

• Showcase collectibles

  It only takes a few special antiques to start a collection. Whether you are digging out those heirlooms or bringing them back from the thrift store, be creative and savvy with your collections.

Finally, some simple tricks and tips

Do you just need some simple ideas to freshen up your look? Breathe some life back into a room? Well, here are our top favorite tips:

• Refresh your throw pillows: If you already have cushions, replacing their covers is an easy and cheap process.
• Stock up on candles: Candles are a great way to create a great ambiance in a room. You can find candles that come in stylish holders and different colors and shapes to really create an interesting look.
• Upgrade your bedding: Here you don’t have to replace anything in your room except the bedding to give your room a new look.
• Fairy lights: Not only do fairy lights provide a source of light, but they can also make anything look comforting, cozy, and interesting. Wrap them around furniture or use them to frame certain things like plants or frames.

The Bottom Line

There are tons of ideas out there. You just need to be creative and savvy. Good luck with all your home decoration endeavors, and for more Home Design tips and tricks, check out or library catalog. Only at Beginning.com!