Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Home Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Home decorating ideas are everywhere — television, magazines, websites and right on your smartphone.

When you’re trying to decorate on a budget, however, it can be a bit trickier to stick to trends and find complementary pieces. 

Budget-friendly home decor ideas do exist, if you know where to look and how to be savvy. If you’re smart, you can follow a glamorous decorating trend without spending more than few hundred dollars.

Plenty of the most expensive decorating trends are easy to duplicate for a fraction of the cost.

If you’re really trying to save money on home decor ideas DIY decor will be your best bet throughout your decoration process.

Home decorating is a fun way to spruce up your house, but it doesn’t have to put a hole in your wallet, especially if you do it yourself. 

To learn more about decorating on a budget and how to find decor sales, read on.

The sections below will show you how a few simple cosmetic tricks can transform a room without breaking the bank.

Home Decorating Ideas for DIY Projects

Home decorating is a personal experience. Your decor should reflect your personality, passions and interests.

Do-it-yourself (DIY) projects are great ways to let your personality shine through in your decorating techniques.

There are tons of DIY home decor ideas out there, many of which require little or no spending.

If you’re looking to make small changes to your decor but do not wish to buy any accessories, consider repurposing the ones you do have. Repaint flowerpots, refinish your table or reupholster your chairs. 

Other DIY home decorating ideas include:

  • Mason jar herb garden: Mason jars are ideal containers for an at-home garden. Purchase herbs you use most often during recipes and replant them in a few jars that will easily fit on your kitchen windowsill. Basil and mint are perfect for this type of DIY “garden.”
  • Pet art: If you have pets, use their paws to create cute decorations. Dip them in paint and transfer the image onto a piece of wall art. 
  • Book planter: Cut out the pages of an old book to make a creative planter for a coffee or night table. Choose a small plant that needs minimal water, like a succulent. Be sure to treat the book so it can hold dirt and moisture without falling apart.
  • String art: Using a series of nails, create a shape in a wooden board. You can create an outline of a skyline, a state or a heart. Then, wrap string around each nail to fill in the outline. Feel free to experiment with different shapes and even try a few abstract designs.
  • Bamboo orb lights: Make unique lanterns for your bedroom, living room or office using bamboo strips. Attach a lightbulb inside each lantern and hang them from the ceiling for a stylish effect.

Home Decorating by Moving Around Furniture 

Decorating on a budget sometimes requires a bit of creativity. You can completely transform the look of a room by simply moving around your furniture.

No need to purchase new sofas or armchairs — just redesign the space with what you already own for a whole new vibe. 

Home decor ideas for living room spaces that were once trendy may no longer be in style. No worries, though. You don’t have to get rid of the pieces you have even if you want a newer-looking space.

Simply moving the couch to the opposite wall can create a new focal point and make the whole room look more inviting.

Make sure you rearrange any rugs and side tables to fit with the new setup.

It may take some time, but before you go shopping for new furniture, take a look around your house.

Maybe the piece you have been looking for to complete your bedroom is actually sitting in the living room.

Swapping furniture between rooms brings a fresh look to both spaces.

Most current home decor ideas focus on minimalism, which means that you may need to remove some pieces to obtain the look you like.

Move the unnecessary furniture to another room, or simply donate them to a friend or charity. 

About Home Decorating Stores

The number of home decorating stores in the U.S. has grown at a rapid pace. This is great if you’re looking to decorate, as you have an enormous variety of products at your fingertips. 

Some stores are ideal for decorating on a budget but may not necessarily be known as “home decor” stores. For instance, you may find great pieces that help your DIY projects at the dollar store.

Check Dollar Tree, Family Dollar and Dollar General for crafting supplies and DIY materials.

Some of the most popular home decorating stores include:

  • HomeGoods.
  • IKEA.
  • Pottery Barn.
  • Bed Bath & Beyond.
  • Ross.
  • Michaels.
  • Target.
  • Crate and Barrel.
  • Pier 1 Imports.

Before visiting any of these stores, it is important to look for coupons and discounts. You can find these on coupon sites like RetailMeNot and Groupon. 

Stores usually have home decor for sale after a seasonal discount. Craft stores like Michaels are known for discounting seasonal decor the day after (or sometimes even right before) a major holiday, sometimes by as much as 90 percent.

Be sure to sign up for emails and notifications that alert you to in-store and online sales.

Home Décor Ideas for Small Homes

Home decorating ideas for small homes and spaces stress the importance of maximizing storage and minimizing clutter.

For example, a small living room may not be ideal for a regular-sized sofa. Consider swapping it for a settee or a small loveseat, which provides ample seating but does not make the space look as crammed.

Smart home decor ideas and tricks for storage include choosing furniture with built-in storage space. Many bed frames have shelves built into the base or headboard.

Picking furniture that has storage space built right in means you’ll be all set to begin with. Plus, you won’t have to add extra clutter as you continue to deal with space problems.

Small spaces require a little troubleshooting. Trick the eye into seeing higher ceilings by hanging the drapes as high as possible, roughly two inches below crown molding.

To make the window look wider, extend the rod past the window. 

Other home décor ideas for small homes include choosing pieces and accents that match the vibe of the space. Vintage appliances not only fit better into small kitchens but also add a certain decorative charm to a small space.