Tips for Decorating on a Budget

It’s no secret that I love to decorate my home. Anyone who knows me knows that I have a passion for making spaces beautiful and cozy. Decorating allows me to use my creativity on something I really enjoy and it just makes me happy.

Another thing I love and am passionate about is saving money.  I have learned through the years that you don’t always have to spend a lot of money to make something look good. In fact, if you’re smart about it, you don’t ever have to spend a lot. Today I want to share a few of my tips for decorating on a budget. I have decorated our entire home using these tips and have done so without spending a fortune. Hopefully these tips will prove to be just as helpful for you!

Tip #1: Shop Your Home and Use What You Have

Many times in decorating I have found that what I need is often right under my nose. If I get scrappy and look in other rooms or closets, I can usually find pieces that help complete a look I’m trying to achieve. Whether its a blanket from my bedroom draped over a chair in the living room or a basket from my closet to hold extra pillows in the guest room, I can often pull off a completed look without ever spending a dime.

Tip #2: Buy Used or Second-Hand

This is one of my best tips for saving money! I cannot tell you how much money I have saved by buying used pieces of furniture and decor. Hit up local thrift shops, craigslist, Facebook marketplace, or even online trading groups to search for pieces you need. You may be surprised at the deals you can find. My best advice is to keep a running wish list on your phone so when you are at a thrift shop or searching online, you can quickly look at your list and know what you need. Also, be flexible. You may find something with good bones that just needs a little TLC. Don’t be afraid to roll up your sleeves and make it what you want.

Tip#3: Sell Unwanted Items and Save for Items You Really Want

This tip is huge! That piece you’ve really been wanting may not be so far out of your reach if you get smart and sell some things you don’t really need or want.

Tip #4: Invest More in Bigger Pieces and Less on Smaller Decor Items

Don’t spend a lot on little things. Save your dollars for the things that matter. Invest more in a cozy sofa or chair rather than in smaller pieces of decor you will likely replace in a year or so anyways. It’s better to spend money on things you really love than spend money on things you like right now but will grow tired of looking at.

Tip #5: Bring the Outdoors In 

Not only is it free, but a beautiful vase of hydrangeas or roses from your garden can make all the difference. You can also use pine cones, moss, sticks or leaves in your decor. Get creative or search Pinterest for inspiration.

Tip #6: Embrace A Less is More Mentality

Rather than having your home so full of decor, try to do less. A room with minimal decor can still be very beautiful. Alternately, a room with too much decor is often unattractive. Try to focus on a filling a room with things you love rather than simply filling a room.

Tip #7: Don’t pay for What You Can Make Yourself 

A hammer, some nails, and a trip to the Home Depot may be all you need to create what you want for your home. Pinterest can come in super handy here. You may find a way to make a similar coffee table to the one you’ve been wanting for just a fraction of the price.

Tip #8: A Good Coat of Paint Can Cover a Multitude of Wrongs

This needs little explanation. Paint your walls, paint your furniture, paint all the things. It can truly change the entire look of a room or a piece.

Tip #9: Repurpose and Reuse 

This tip goes with the previous one. Don’t be scared to paint something or repurpose it. I once repurposed an old wicker hamper to house our unsightly trash can and some old shutters as decor pieces to frame our TV.  These are just a few examples of things you can do if you get creative.

Tip #10: Shop for Free On The Curb 

My husband often jokes that I have a knack for making something out of nothing. I am not afraid to hunt for what I want, even if it means driving down our street on trash day to see if the neighbors left anything good out by the curb. You would be surprised at what people throw away!

These are all my tips for now, but I have one final piece of advice for you. If all you can afford to decorate is one room at a time, then focus on the room you want to decorate most and save to do the others at a later time. There is no rule that says every room in your home has to be perfectly decorated. Just do what you can rather than overspending. You will be much happier in the long run.