View of living room in Florida home

How to Decorate Your Home On a Budget

How to Decorate Your Home On a Budget

written on November 11, 2019Design Trends, Interior Design

Decorating your home can seem overwhelming. Depending on where you shop for decor and furniture, the price tags can make you feel like you will break the bank.

Fortunately, there are many ways you can get the look you want for affordable prices while decorating on a budget — let me share some interior design and shopping tips with you below!

Explore Interior Decorating Services

Enjoy expert level decorators for a stress-free experience at nearly any budget

Tip #1: Go Slow

I know when I bought my home, I felt the need to fill it up with furniture pieces and decor quickly. But now, looking back, I have so many things that I could’ve gotten somewhere else for cheaper if I had just waited — from a dining room table to window treatments.

It may be hard to see a blank wall or a room filled with existing furniture for a bit, but it is worth it to shop around to find the best deal before furnishing an entire room with brand-new furniture from big-box stores. While you’re waiting to purchase new furniture, consider small and budget-friendly ways to switch things up that will make a big difference.

For example, you might not be ready to purchase a new bedroom set right now, but some basic bedding with a higher thread count and a new lamp shade on your nightstand can make the space feel as good as new. Similarly, new kitchen cabinets might not be in the budget, but basic dishes with a low price tag are a great addition to your kitchen.

Tip #2: Shop at Discount Stores

I’ll be honest — paying full price for something is almost never necessary. Stores like HomeGoods, T.J. Maxx, and Marshall’s have tons of name-brand, high-quality furniture for much less than retail stores, making it easy to save money on new light fixtures, throw blankets, coffee tables, and other furniture and decor pieces. I recommend starting at these stores to see what you can find.

Other affordable stores are Hobby Lobby and Ikea. Hobby Lobby has a permanent 40% coupon that you can use on any full-priced item.

If you want to find super affordable stuff, you can always check out places like Goodwill, Salvation Army, and your local thrift and antique stores. There are lots of hidden gems in those places — you can bring new life to an old chair, old dresser, or dated sofa by giving them a fresh coat of paint or investing in some cushion covers. You know what they say — one person’s “junk” is another person’s treasure!

Tip #3: Search Online

Along with the previous tip, there are also great online options, such as Overstock or Houzz, that offer many options for decorating on a budget.

If you are shopping online and see something you like, but it is too expensive or out of stock, turn on your notifications to have the app alert you when it is back in stock or on sale.

Another favorite tip of mine for online shopping and decorating on a budget is to, again, shop around online. If you see something you like but it is too expensive, copy and paste the item name into Google. Google will then search every website that sells that item or similar items, and you will be able to compare all prices.

Tip #4: Thrift and DIY Projects

I spoke earlier about shopping at thrift stores. Many times, there is great quality stuff found there that is either good to go, or might need a little help and rejuvenation.

The “do-it-yourself” option has a bit of a learning curve, but there are tons of YouTube videos out there with tutorials on how to refinish furniture. Repainting an old piece of furniture can completely bring it back to life. My favorite places to thrift are Salvation Army, Goodwill, and Facebook Marketplace. You can also always shop local estate sales — these are a great place to find great deals on a small budget.

There are also small projects that are cheap to and easy do yourself (even on a shoestring budget). For example, you can create a gallery wall or accent wall in a living room, bedroom, or hallway with family photos or artwork. This creates an interesting focal point and fills up otherwise empty visual space on classic neutral walls.

Tip #5: Shop Your Home

My last tip is the easiest of them all. Shop your own home!

For example, you might have a bookshelf or coffee table that has had the same home decor sitting on it for a few years. You can move those items to a different spot or mix them with other pieces in your home. This is an affordable option because it costs literally nothing, and it can even create an even more cohesive look than before! Another option is to re-arrange your furniture. Moving around furniture can also help a small space look bigger — so focus on smaller rooms first.

All of a sudden, your home will have a whole new look, and you didn’t even spend a penny!

Explore Interior Decorating Services

Enjoy expert level decorators for a stress-free experience at nearly any budget