Don’t let your budget get in the way of making your home look great! Having a comfortable, inviting space designed around your life shouldn’t be considered a luxury. There are many ways to beautify your home without breaking the bank. Here are 20 ideas for decorating, organizing, and upgrading on a tight budget.
If you have an empty surface in your home, put some personality on it!
A vase of flowers or a bowl of fruit can brighten up any room. Any sort of interesting artwork or item of cultural significance is an easy way to let your personality show through. You could even make it inviting and interactive by using a chess set or other game as a decorative centerpiece.
Add color to blank spaces with a few simple items
Pick up a few throw pillows, fabric remnants to make your own patterns or designs, or even some colored glassware for an accent piece. You can create a bold focal point in the room by painting an accent wall. Use unique items you already have on hand as centerpieces on clean tables and counters.
Hang up pictures of people you love and admire.
When you are starting out, the best way to decorate your home is with pictures of people you love. If you don’t have much money but want some happy photos around, turn to Facebook and print off pictures for free! You can also use Instagram or Pinterest to find images that inspire you without spending a dime.
If you don’t have any pictures to hang, go outside and take some! The natural beauty of the world is free for everyone to enjoy. If you live near a city, find a park or Riverwalk and snap some shots. Take photos of your pets or go for a hike.
Another easy way to add personality to your walls is by framing your favorite quotes or song lyrics. This can be done very cheaply by using old picture frames from thrift stores or garage sales.
Put plants everywhere – they’ll make your home feel more alive and bring nature indoors.
Many people just don’t think about adding plants to their decorating scheme, but they can really brighten up a room and make it feel more like home. You don’t need to have a green thumb – there are many low-maintenance plants that will thrive in your environment.
If you’re not into plants, try adding some other natural elements instead. Use rocks or driftwood, and put some seashells in a bowl for an easy coastal vibe, for FREE!
Use vintage or antique furniture as decoration instead of new pieces that will just get dusty over time
If you really want to add character to your home, and you don’t have a lot of money to spend, try using vintage or antique furniture as decoration. There are a few ways to do this:
You can search for pieces at garage sales, thrift stores, or online auctions.
If you want something specific but can’t find it used, you can try painting or refinishing a modern piece to make it look old.
If you’re really crafty, you can even make your own quirky “vintage” furniture by raiding flea markets and antique stores for parts.
No matter how you do it, using vintage furniture is a great way to add personality to your home without spending a lot of money.
Purchase a set of inexpensive, colorful dishes to replace your plain white ones.
Sometimes people purchase white dishware thinking it will go with anything. But you can use your dishes to make a statement, whether you have a formal or informal table setting. Using bright colors and playful patterns will give the illusion of an expensive, thought-out design at a fraction of the price!
And if you’re entertaining, bold tableware is a great way to liven up the party.
Create a centerpiece that coordinates with your tableware for an added touch of color and pizzazz!
Buy new decorative pillows for the couch (and beyond!)- it’s an easy way to spruce up any room in your house.
Pillows are the new front-and-center accessories. You can find some really great deals on pillows, and they’re an easy way to change the look and feel of a room without spending a lot of money.
There are a lot of options out there – from floor pillows to throw pillows for your bed, you can add color and definition to any room in the house. Floor cushions can be used as extra seating when guests come over or provide comfortable support during movie nights. Throw pillows bring comfort and an instant pop of color to your bed or sofa.
You can find some really great deals – try to avoid paying full retail price if you don’t have to, and always haggle with your local stores for better prices on pillows. Make sure that the pillow covers are washable (and preferably machine-washable) as well; this will make it easier to keep them clean and looking new for longer.
Get rid of clutter around the house, including old clothes, shoes, and books.
When a room is overrun with clutter, it can make the area look smaller and feel cluttered. A quick fix to this problem is getting rid of things that don’t need to be there in the first place!
Make it easy for yourself. Grab an empty tub and move through the room. Anything that doesn’t specifically belong in this room (or a trash can) goes into the tub. It’s a quick way to reclaim a room. Now you can sit and sort through the tub and put stuff where it belongs, then move to a new room and complete the process.
Clean up after yourself – don’t leave dishes in the sink or dirty clothes lying around.
Hey, no judgment. Our lives seem to just get busier and busier. But by committing to just a few minutes of cleaning each day, you can keep your home looking neat and tidy – without spending a lot of money. It’s a great habit to get into when you get home from work and again just before bed. You’ll rest easier knowing that your home is clean and organized. Best of all, it doesn’t cost anything but a little time (and maybe a few cents worth of dish soap).
These are just a handful of ways you can give your house or apartment a homier feel without going overboard on expensive, overpriced decor. Because you deserve a relaxing home you can enjoy as much as anyone else.
