Are you on a tight budget but want a beautiful home? Let’s talk about decorating on a budget, with 10 tips for affordable decor.
I know seeing all the beautiful homes in magazines, and on social media, can leave you feeling a bit bummed if you’re on a strict budget. And this isn’t even a ‘first home’ problem.
Many people in later stages of life, after the kids are all gone, are looking for a refresh and still can’t afford to replace everything. So whatever stage of life you are in, you may need some help to figure out how to get the home decor you want.
I’d love to share with you my tried and true top 10 tips to creating the space that you truly want.
Don’t follow trends
When you are craving new things and wanting a new look, the budget always seems to be what’s glaring you right in the face. So if you have small budget, or in many cases almost no budget, the last thing you need is to buy something that won’t last.
Just because something is a trend does not mean it is good. And if you are budget focused, a trend will change quickly and move onto the next. That means, you’ll be right back where you started!
The best course of action is to never follow trends. Look at them, note what is good about them, then allow that to inspire you to get what you truly want. When you are true to the style that is you, your personal style, a trend has no effect.
Always choose the colors that look good in YOUR home. Find classic shapes that match your true style and fit within your home’s architecture. Collect and live with things around you that you love. Then, your home will always be a true representation of those who live there.
Be willing to get dirty
If you don’t have much money to spend, sometimes you are going to need to get dirty. From doing the work yourself, to searching around in the weeds (maybe literally) for the best deal, doing the dirty work will always come down to savings.
Case in point, my family room coffee table. Let me tell you a little story about how it came to be.
This room is right off the kitchen. It is where I read and relax in front of the fire, and where conversation and mingling happens. The furniture grouping is small and tight near the fireplace and requires smaller pieces to make the space efficient.
After looking around for awhile, I finally ended up at an estate sale that was out in the country. After going through the house, I entered the barn and started digging around.
I found a bench, literally covered in dried mud, that looked about the right size. After wiping off some dirt and knowing what it could be, I inquired about the price. I paid $5 for it! After cleaning it up, and waxing the wood into a nice patina, it’s the perfect piece for the space.
I’m so glad you’re here
If you love to decorate your home, and create a unique space full of personal style OR if you are interested in learning how, then you are in the right place!
Let’s talk about home decor, vintage, how-to’s, and all the home inspiration to help you make your space a true reflection of YOU and your personal style!
We can solve design problems together. I’ll be sharing resources, tips, inspiration, and some ways I’ve learned to navigate thru the homemaking life.
Hey, Jill here. I’m excited to share my passion for design, vintage, and all things home. I look forward to hearing your questions and comments.
Personalize the boring stuff
If you are wanting to update or buy new decor items, don’t forget about tweaking what you have. Maybe that light fixture is a good shape, but just needs to be a different finish. Don’t hesitate to paint it!
You can also find bargains at some big box stores, or craft places like Hobby Lobby. To keep them from being just the boring, ‘run of the mill’ item that everyone has, personalize those items to make them more you!
Add a new custom lampshade that you’ve made, paint the body of anything a different color, and create the look you are wanting to curate.
Go on the hunt for bargains
One of the best ways to get home decor on a budget is to buy second hand. Not only is the thrill of the hunt fun, but you can save a lot of money, while many times, ending up with the highest quality.
Frequent your local thrift store for smaller items, flea markets for that unique piece, and estate sales for everyday items or something special. Vintage shops are the first spot I look if I need furniture, along with building collections.
When summer comes and yard sales become more frequent, head out to find the bargains that you need. Of course, Facebook marketplace is the spot I check all year round. You can find the most amazing items for a bargain if you shop frequently.
Embrace hand me downs
With the high cost of everything these days, don’t overlook items that may be hand me downs. Grandma’s dresser could get a new life with a bit of paint, and the dining room table that holds many memories might be just the thing your room needs.
For me, sometimes it’s the simple things that I’ve always lived with, that bring the most comfort. And I am a strong believer that having meaningful items in your decor brings much more charm to a room than anything you could ever find at Pottery Barn.
The easiest way to acquire items that you are looking for is to put the call out to family and friends and let them know what you are wanting for your space. You never know, you could be surprised at what comes your way!
Learn some DIY skills
As with anything, the best ways to really get what you want is to do it yourself. Learning some basic skills so you can embark on DIY projects will save you a ton of money in the long run.
Painting, sewing, and miter saw skills will take you a long way into creating the home of your dreams. It will also allow you to buy the best materials that you desire, while saving on labor in your decorating budget.
When we moved into the home we currently live in, it was the height of CoVid. It was nearly impossible to get anyone to come in and do any work and we were in the weeds of a major renovation. The few people that would come look at the project wanted such astronomical prices, knowing many were desperate.
Although I had always been a DIYer, I was now tasked to do many projects myself, as we just couldn’t get the work done by anyone. I hit YouTube and learned many new skills during that time, and am proud to say that I learned a lot.
We had a larger budget for a full house renovation, but were able to upgrade many items to the next level since I was saving us all the labor costs. Learn some skills, and soon you will be off and running!
Shop your own home
A good place to start, when you want to make a change, is looking within. Many times our decorating conundrum can be solved with items we already own. That old piece of furniture that you’ve been hiding in the basement might be able to be revived and become decor in a new way.
The low MSM credenza that hasn’t served you too well in the dining room might make the perfect storage in the living room under a large television. Your Mom’s old dresser in the guest room might be perfect for all those hats and mittens in the mudroom.
Look around and see what you have. Switch furniture up from room to room, and make things work in a way that makes sense and gives you a fresh perspective for the space.
Get the bones right
The best way to bargain home decor is certainly never wasting money. So it might be time to rethink the bones of your space and make sure you get them right first. Does your room have a focal point, or need a new color scheme?
Perhaps it’s time for a fresh coat of paint, while taking care to making the best choices for your big impact items. I always like to start with my largest piece of furniture in the room (usually soft furnishings) like the couch, bed, or table. These furniture items will get the most use so spend wisely here.
Once they are established, it will be easy to add a pop of color with art (vintage art is always my first choice) along with smaller chairs and tables, rugs, window treatments, lamps, and accessories. These items can be acquired along the way, as you curate your look that you love.
Focus on your personal style
The best way to make huge difference to the look of your home is to focus on developing your personal style. Many times this involves creative ways to decorate, using what you have, and finding the best vintage items for your look.
I also believe that spaces should change and grow as you do. The best rooms are done over time, which is always easier on the budget than making many choices all at once. Make your space work for how you need to live, and don’t worry about any conventional constraints of how to live in your own home.
There are plenty of ways to skin a cat, so to speak, so choose to use your rooms for what suits your lifestyle and budget now.
Sell what you have and buy what you truly love
You may be looking to purchase something you need, and even with affordable prices, still not be able to convince yourself it’s worth it when you have something that already works. But you want a new look. Then it’s time to sell the old, and find the new (to you anyway).
Of course, the easy way to go about this is with Facebook marketplace. People are always looking for basically everything, and you can sell just about anything. Once you have cash in hand, you can then go about buying the item that makes your heart sing!
Of course, a great way to get money for your decorating budget in general, is to sell the items that are no longer useful to you. Removing what is clutter to our current life, will allow the budget for items you need and want now. Plus, recycling, reselling, and repurposing feels good. Think of it as your little attempt to help save the planet.
Now make a plan: what to fix, what to move, what to sell, and what to create
If you want a new kitchen, what are your action items to get it? If the master bedroom needs a face lift, make a list of what needs to get done, along with who can do them, and what your budget is. Changes will never be made unless you take action, so make a plan that you can do.
I hope that some of these tips will help you stay on budget, while inspiring you to create the space you’ve always wanted. For more inspiration, follow along on these platforms.
Pinterest | Amazon | Facebook | Instagram | LTK
Great ideas!!!