How To Decorate Your Home On A Budget
Whether you’ve recently purchased a new house or you’re looking to refresh your current space, decorating your house doesn’t have to break the bank. Because your home is where you begin and end your days, it’s important to have an atmosphere that fits your lifestyle and offers you the right kind of comfort. With our 8 simple tips and tricks you can create a well-designed home that brings your home from average to stunning. Read on to learn how to decorate your home on a budget in 8 steps and how a small loan could help you out.
Overview:
- Borrow furniture from family and friends
- Buy second hand furniture
- Think creatively
- Gather inspiration
- Create open space
- Focus on design elements more important to you
- Do home projects yourself
- Set a budget
How to decorate your home on a budget in 8 steps
1. Borrow furniture from family and friends
Phone up grandma, your aunt, cousin, or friend to see if they have any furniture pieces sitting in storage. Many people own furniture they aren’t using and are happy to lend it to someone who can put it to good use.
What are the best pieces for lending? Anything from bookshelves to bedframes to dressers and coffee tables. Chances are the style will be neutral enough to match your home and other decor.
2. Buy second hand furniture
Ever set foot in a secondhand store or used furniture shop? These places often maintain an inventory of beautiful, unique pieces to match a variety of colour schemes and styles. Couches, tables, chairs, shelving and other units are generally well-maintained or even look brand new. What a perfect way to style your home on a budget!
If you don’t live near any local second hand shops, consider garage sales, estate sales, and websites like Gumtree or Facebook Marketplace to find exceptional used furniture pieces for low prices. Though it may require a bit of extra time to find a high-quality piece, it pays off in the long run. Remember you can always haggle or bargain for a lower price than what’s originally listed online.
So rather than dropping a whole paycheck or online loan on a new couch, you can find one for a fraction of the cost through a secondhand option. As a bonus, many used items have more personality and flair than the furniture found in big box stores.
3. Think creatively
Home styling on a budget might take a little creativity, but it’s truly incredible what a little paint or wood stain can do. And, making one simple change or touch-up can transform an entire room – which means there’s no need to redo the whole kitchen or remake your living room.
For example, to brighten your living room, paint one wall with a vibrant colour and leave the remaining walls white. This adds plenty of dimension with minimal cost and effort.
You could also use:
- Washi tape (to create a striped or diagonal wall design)
- Potted plants or flowers
- Mirrors (to add depth and the feel of a larger space)
- Paint and stencils
- Printed photographs (framed and unframed)
- Shelves and ledges
4. Gather inspiration
Home styling on a budget also takes a bit of research. Search for layouts and designs that you can replicate in your own home—but for a smaller cost.
Some good places to gather inspiration include Pinterest and Google. Or you can visit your favourite furniture stores and see real life displays.
Once you have these visions in mind, look for budget-friendly alternatives to make them a reality. Maybe a dining room furniture set caught your eye. Can you find a similar style from a different retailer or at a second hand shop? Or maybe you saw a photo gallery wall that would fit perfectly in your bedroom. Find a way to recreate the look at a lower price point.
5. Create open space
A well-designed home isn’t one with furniture and decor filling every inch.
Open space and simple decorations often make for a bright and energetic atmosphere. Use a clean layout to create a home that’s practical, stylish, and comfortable.
The best way to achieve this? We recommend limiting the number of furniture pieces and decorations in each room and purchasing only the ones you really love. Not only will this open up your space, but you will also save money.
6. Focus on design elements most important to you
Do you feel more energised by statement wall art? Or would you rather have patio furniture to host friends on long summer days? Home styling on a budget doesn’t mean compromising what’s important.
Instead of buying and accumulating items that seem necessary, be selective. Choose the pieces for your home that offer you value and make you most happy.
7. Do home projects yourself
With the prevalence of YouTube tutorials and online blogs, you can find do it yourself (DIY) instructions for just about any home project. Depending on the service needed, professional contractors’ hourly rates can range anywhere from $50 to $150, according to HomeAdvisor. If you have a few jobs in mind, this can certainly add up overtime.
Rather than hiring someone to paint your home, tackle the project yourself! If you prefer not to work alone, invite a friend or family member over for some assistance.
8. Set a budget
Before you begin any home project, whether it’s buying art for your guest bedroom or upgrading the furniture in your living room, set a firm budget for yourself.
Be realistic about what you’ll spend by doing some initial research and looking at your personal budget. When you decide on a specific number and stick to it, you’ll be less likely to blow your budget on a small piece, like an end table or piece of artwork.
Begin decorating your dream home today
Now that you know how to decorate your house on a budget, it’s the perfect time to get started! Whether you’re looking to spend $2200, $4000 or even less on home improvements, there are plenty of home decorating ideas to fit within your budget. If you want to kickstart your home style projects and need some cash to get you started, you can even consider a personal loan with Swoosh. We offer loans for the exact amount you need in order to live the life you want! Complete your loan application online today.
How to decorate your home on a budget: FAQs
How do I decorate my home for free?
If you’re looking to spend minimal money or no money at all, there are plenty of creative ways you can decorate your home for free. Some great ideas include:
- Hunting for free furniture on Gumtree and Facebook Marketplace
- Rearranging your furniture
- Borrowing furniture off family and friends
- Upcycling old furniture
- Making your own DIY decor and furniture
How do I make my home cosy on a budget?
Everyone loves cosy and warm spaces. If you’re looking to transform your space to feel more comfortable, there are plenty of cheap and easy cosy home decor ideas to get you started:
- Add pillows and blankets
- Get a soft rug
- Add candles
- Hang up warm-toned wall art
- Add plants
What are the three basics of decorating?
When it comes to decorating your home, there are three basic interior design rules that you should always follow:
- Function: Aesthetics shouldn’t be the only focus when decorating your rooms, you need to make sure they are both functional and beautiful. You can do this by including all the furniture you need and using artwork and unique furniture as a focal point.
- Personality: To make the room feel more cosy and comfortable, decorate it with things that relate to your personality. For example, you can use unique vases, family photos, rugs and tables that are fitting to your space.
- Mood: You will know once you’ve designed the perfect space it will evoke a certain kind of mood. The best way to achieve this is by adding different textures and designs to your room such as different colours and unique furniture. The best way to do this is by gathering room inspiration that can be easily replicated in your space.
