When it comes to making your home look great, you don’t have to break the bank to do it. You can even repurpose or reimagine existing pieces in new spaces and take advantage of what you already have. In fact, that’s one of the tips that we’ll get into in more detail later. For now, though, you should know that no matter how small your budget, you can make a big impression with your décor if you do it right.
We’re lucky to live in the digital age—a world of inspiration and ideas is just a click away. Of course, all those ideas can quickly become overwhelming, and trying to sort through them all can leave your head spinning. Don’t worry because we’ve got you covered. In this guide, we’ll talk about 10 great ways to decorate your home without spending a fortune, whether you’re designing on a budget or just hate spending where you don’t have to.
Here are some great decorating ideas to help you create a whole new space, even when you don't do a whole house renovation.
Reuse and Repurpose
As mentioned, one of the most budget-friendly ways to decorate your home is to use what you already have. This could include moving furniture pieces to a different room, repainting wooden furniture or reupholstering, or even completely upcycling and repurposing something for an entirely different use. You can make a big difference with small changes, but there’s no limit to what you can reuse:
- Old doors for a dining room table or coffee table
- A large mirror as an accent wall in a small space
- An end table or side tables in different rooms
And whatever you don’t have to buy means there’s more that you can save, or put towards other parts of your design upgrade.
Paint as a Focal Point
Paint is one of the easiest and most affordable ways to upgrade your home’s look. Whether it’s painting a whole room or even repainting all of the trim to look fresh and crisp, a little paint goes a long way. Some of the best ways to use paint to upgrade your décor include:
· Furniture pieces
· Accent wall
· Kitchen cabinets
· Trim/built-ins
This is also a great way to keep up with current design trends without having to refurnish your entire home. Think about all the ways you can use paint to upgrade your interior design.
Highlight Architecture and Natural Light
Your home is already full of some great features. While some home designs have more than others, you can easily take advantage of architectural details throughout your house. For example, cathedral ceilings or vaulted ceilings could be accented by wooden beams. Have a unique wall or nook? Use vertical stripes or a unique pattern to accent it.
When you highlight what you already have, you’re saving money on your décor upgrades. You can also make a small space feel larger or create space where there wasn't any before.
Consider New Lighting
New light fixtures are a relatively inexpensive upgrade. Especially if you’re upgrading floor lamps and accent lighting, you can do a lot without a huge budget. Find new lighting that matches your current tastes or fits with the décor upgrades. Consider new lamps in a style that’s more befitting of the new design. Add accent lighting to create an inviting space or warm atmosphere.
Be Thoughtful with Accents
Accents in your decor need to have intention. Family photos can even be used as part of the decor, so long as you make sure they create a cohesive look with the rest of the space. If you're decorating a small space, consider just a couple of decorative accessories to reflect your personal style and warm or neutral colors to open up a small room, for example. Consider things like:
- A duvet cover for your bed
- Artificial plants to breathe new life
- An accent that doubles as extra storage
- Throw pillow and blanket accents
- Bold accents in small spaces
- A mirror to accent a large wall
As you can see, these are great tips to get a new lease on your existing decor without breaking the bank. Even something as simple as a new layout can make a big impact in smaller rooms or a larger space.
Watch for Sales and Specials
Of course, you can do a lot more when you get good deals on the items that you buy. If you want to make some home décor upgrades, keep an eye out for special discounts or seasonal sales. For example, consider patio upgrades in the early spring, or in the fall when items are on clearance and you can score great deals.
If there’s a decorating idea or some large-scale art that you absolutely love, you can keep it saved in your browser and keep an eye on its price. You might eventually come upon a sale or special offer that can save you money. If you’re not in a hurry, it’s a great way to get the best deals.
Get Art Prints from the Thrift Store
A lot of the artwork at your local thrift store looks like something from grandma’s late 20th-century living room. However, there are some hidden gems among the rest if you take the time to investigate.
You can also check the local flea market, antique stores, and yard sales for wall art at affordable prices. This is a great way to save money, as well as to create a focal point or gallery wall.
If you find something unframed or in a frame that’s best left in the dumpster, don’t distress! A new frame can be cheap if you know where to shop (hint: dollar stores and discount retailers should be your first stop) and it’s a simple upgrade that’s still well within your budget.
Trade Up for New Throw Pillows
You can find new throw pillows for less than $20 each, depending on where you shop and which styles you like. This gives you a cheap, simple way to upgrade your existing furniture without a full replacement. You can also invest in new throw blankets for the same budget-friendly effect.
Like the pillows you have but not in love with their color or design? Consider cushion covers that you can find in just about every style and size and at prices sure to please even the lightest of shoestring budgets!
Update Hardware
In kitchens and baths especially, new hardware can make a big impact on the design even though it's not a focal point. Hardware includes handles, drawer pulls, faucets, hinges, and so forth, and it’s all over your home. It’s also cheap and easy to upgrade, with knobs and drawer pulls only costing a few dollars each (or less) depending on the style you choose.
You can completely change the look of your kitchen with painted cabinets and a hardware upgrade, saving thousands compared to a full renovation. And that’s not all you can do with hardware—again the options for upgrades are as big as your imagination.
Install and Use the Comrade Browser Extension
To help you keep an eye out for savings and make sure that you’re not spending more than you should on your décor upgrades, you can use the Comrade browser extension tool.
It’s designed to work with Chrome so that while you’re browsing online, you’ll see exclusive offers from Comrade’s partners. When you interact with these offers and advertisements, you’ll get paid! And all for doing what you’re doing anyway: looking for great deals online.
Conclusion
Home upgrades don’t have to be expensive or labor-intensive—you can create a gorgeous home with minimal effort. For starters, install the Comrade browser extension right away; not only will you find the best deals on your new décor purchases, but you’ll earn money just for browsing (which you’re already doing)!
Learn how to earn money when shopping online with Comrade, the only browser extension that pays you in cash for your attention.