10 Simple Budget Decorating Tips

Home Decor

A list of actionable budget decorating tips to help you create a warm and welcoming home you love, and that reflects your personal style. They are all simple, they won’t break the bank, and no experience is required!

When your decor needs refreshed, but your budget is limited, there are still ways to accomplish small updates without spending a fortune. I’ve put together a list of 10 simple budget decorating tips that range from shopping advice, to picking paint colors. I hope you find one or two tips that speak to you, and that help you create a home you love!

10 Simple Budget Decorating Tips

1. DIY when possible.

When I start a project, the first thing I do is figure out what I can do myself, and then what I have to hire out. If I can do the whole thing myself, I am so happy. That rarely happens though, especially with anything that’s labor intensive. Most big projects around here are a combination of DIY and paid labor. In recent years, I have been relying more and more on contractors and handymen, which has greatly impacted what I can and can’t do. I know for a fact that money can be saved if you have access to free labor…a handy husband, family, or friends. So carefully consider your budget, and go from there. Get more information on my plate rack {HERE.}

2. Shop second-hand and discount stores.

One of the best budget decorating tips is to shop second-hand. Nothing is really off-limits, or out of reach, if you are a good thrift store, Craigslist, eBay, discount, or craft store shopper. My favorite ironstone tureen was a Goodwill find, and cost a whopping $3. I rarely shop at the higher end stores because I know I can find the look for less if I take my time and try. It takes patience, because sometimes you can’t find exactly what you want. Hang in there though, and keep looking. It’s only a matter of time before you find exactly what you are looking for. See how to make the hydrangea centerpiece {HERE.}

3. Make your own artwork.

Making your own artwork is a very simple and inexpensive way to fill your walls. Frames and mats can be purchased at any craft or discount store. You can personalize the colors too. Here are a few ways to find budget-friendly artwork:

Find free printables online. Pinterest houses a treasure trove of free art.
Search Etsy for original art. Many artists have the capability to scan their original pieces, and sell them digitally.
Take your own photos. Enlarge them at a photo center, and then put them in frames. I did this for a gallery wall on our stairway, and chose to print the photos in black and white. It’s a cohesive and personal reflection of our family, and it’s inexpensive.
Join the OSP email subscriber list and get instant access to the Members Only Library. You will find digital downloads that are perfect for DIY wall art. Click {HERE} to sign up! Get the printable pictured above {HERE.}

4. Add inexpensive natural elements.

I love natural elements. I love fresh flowers and greenery. They bring a room to life, and you can use them in your decor without breaking the bank. Bring flowers in from your yard, or pick them up at the grocery store. It’s amazing how a $10 bunch of flowers can cheer you up, and light up a room. Forage for pinecones, add dried lavender, cut low branches from your trees, or display your produce. The next time you are feeling stuck with your decor, and don’t have much money, give this idea a try. You will love it!

*Affiliate links included. Click HERE for my disclosure statement.

5. Use pillows for color, style, & texture.

No list of budget decorating tips would be complete without including the versatility of pillow covers. They are also an easy and budget friendly way to switch up the look of a room, seasonally or just for fun. By choosing two or three main colors, any pattern or textured fabric will work together. For example my color palette is blue and neutral. I use different shades of blue, and make sure to add texture when I use neutrals. By sticking to these colors, my pillow cover collection can be mixed and matched, as well as moved from room to room.

Here are my favorite sources for inexpensive pillow covers:

6. Stay away from trends…buy what you love.

Nothing will eat into your budget faster than jumping on every style trend that goes by. Don’t do it! I admit that occasionally I am tempted to buy that trendy rug at Crate and Barrel, or that fun vase at West Elm. I quickly talk myself out of it though. I know I would get tired of them, because they aren’t really “me.” Buy what makes you happy when you walk in a room…not what is on the cover of the latest catalog. Unless, of course, whatever is on the cover makes you blissfully happy.

7. Connect the dots with paint.

Paint is cheap. Paint is easy. Paint is the quickest way to transform a room. The best way to make the rooms in your home flow is to keep everything in the same basic color family. In my case, that color is blue. For walls, I used different shades of blue, along with one main neutral. The easiest way to accomplish this is to pick colors from the same paint swatch. I picked my paint strip several years ago when I painted our front door navy blue. I am still using the exact same color strip today. I’m definitely not saying you have to stick with your choice for life…but it’s an easy way to start. For more about our paint colors, click {HERE.}

8. Shop your home & stash.

Remember to shop your home before buying anything, and to look through your “stash” regularly. Most of us have a place where we keep decor items that we may not be using at the moment, but aren’t ready to discard or donate. The spring wreath above was made almost for free…the only thing I had to purchase were the faux pink ranunculus. I already had the wreath, garland, and white berries. So this project covered two budget decorating tips: shop your stash, and DIY!

9. Update your hardware.

One of my favorite budget decorating tips that has a huge visual impact is changing the hardware on cabinetry or furniture. It can instantly update an old piece, and it’s the perfect way to add color where there is none. It’s also an update that can be accomplished over time, which is a very budget-friendly way to decorate. When we bought our home, all the door knobs and door hinges were bright gold. They were old, scratched, and definitely needed replaced. I started with the first floor, and changed to oil rubbed bronze hardware in the entry. I worked my way through the downstairs, and then moved upstairs. It took two years, but eventually all our hardware was replaced. No where is it written that a project has to be done all at once. Take is slow, and update at your own pace.

10. Know when to splurge & when to save.

Personally, I think this is a hard one…especially if your first instinct is to always go the less expensive route. (I’m raising my hand!) Sometimes spending less is perfectly fine, and the end result isn’t compromised. Other times, it’s best to buy quality products, that might be more expensive, but that last over time. Replacing an important design feature because it didn’t hold up is like throwing away money. Follow your instincts, and you won’t go wrong.

Share your budget decorating tips!

Well…if you made it to the end, thank you for hanging in there! Like I said at the top of the post, I hope you found one or two budget decorating tips that you hadn’t thought of before. The most important thing to remember when decorating your space is to surround yourself and your family with meaningful pieces. It doesn’t matter how much they cost, or where you purchase them. All that matters is that YOU love them. If you have a favorite tip you’d like to share, please leave a comment!

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