Design is what turns a house into a home. That’s why Humble Design works so hard to style and decorate apartments for families exiting homelessness – because those families don’t just deserve a house. They deserve a home. Check out the amazing work they do, brought to you by our friends at Olympus Spa.
If you don’t have someone like Humble Design coming to your home to help you decorate, you can do it yourself! But we recognize that even a lot of the classic budget-friendly advice like “buy new throw pillows” can add up quickly and put redecorating out of reach for many. So here are a few tips to help give your home decor a facelift that are compatible with any budget – even those that are extremely limited.
Know Your Style. Sure, you love the cozy look of those eclectic collections on your friend’s over-filled mantel, but is that truly reflective of your personal style? Or do you prefer a more modern and minimalist appearance, with clean lines and the occasional pop of color for dramatic effect? Just because you appreciate a certain style doesn’t mean you want to live in the midst of it, so take some time to reflect what type of home you really want to live in. Once you’ve got that nailed down, you can start collecting pieces to match.
Make a List. You probably won’t know exactly what you want, but you should have some idea before you go shopping. Otherwise, you’ll end up with pieces that might match your style but don’t necessarily fit anywhere. Make a general list of decor – along with the scale – that you’d like to see in your home, for example “3 mantel pieces – 7″, 5″, 3″; minimum 12″ square photo for bathroom wall; large string lights for back patio.” You’ll probably find additional inspiration once you’re browsing store shelves, but having at least a semblance of a plan will help keep you on track for your core design pieces – and prevent you from overspending on too many extras you won’t be able to use.
Shop Secondhand. Thrift stores, consignment shops, and your local Buy Nothing group on Facebook are great resources for unique home decor pieces. Try to think outside the box about how to upcycle some of your unique finds if they’re not perfectly suited for your style – but be realistic about the time and money it might take to do more complex projects.
Refresh with Paint. A fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into old lamps, picture frames, and other home decor pieces. See what you have in your home (or what you can pick up ultra-cheap at a thrift store) that will look completely new with a simple coat of paint. You can probably even find someone willing to part with random containers of paint for FREE through your local Buy Nothing group! Just ask!
DIY Your Art. You don’t have to be an artist to create the perfect piece of wall art for your living room. Whether it’s a wooden-pallet sign made with stenciled letters, a few splatters of paint across a giant canvas, or a gallery wall devoted entirely to the first letter of your last name, there’s probably a way to DIY it for significantly less than you’d pay in-store. Search for scrap wood or other supplies and get creative!
Rearrange the Furniture. Don’t underestimate what a huge impact this can have on the overall feel of your home. Plus, it’s 100% FREE.
Make Your Own Window Treatments. I can’t sew to save my life. But I can do some pretty impressive things with iron-on fabric adhesive. Find some inexpensive fabric or clearance-sale sheets and create custom valances to add a pop of color to any room. You can also use secondhand curtains to make new covers for your existing throw pillows.
Don’t Do It All At Once. Even redecorating on a budget can get out of hand if you’re not careful. Don’t feel like you have to do it all in one weekend. Sure, a quick transformation has a big initial impact after a dramatic reveal, but at the end of the day all you really have is a nicely decorated house. Take your time and be patient for the right pieces to come along – don’t settle for something if it doesn’t really fit.
TELL US: What are some of your best tips for redecorating on a budget?
