6 Tips for Decorating on a Budget

1. Have a plan – Well, a plan and a budget. Consider putting together an inspiration board. I use Pinterest for each and every one of my décor projects. Make a to-do list. The more organized and intentional you are the better. 

2. Consider painting – Painting is probably the quickest and easiest way to completely change the look and feel of a space. Go neutral and accessorize or pick a color that packs a bit of punch. Either way, paint is cheap. 

3. Repurpose what you already have – Do you have an old table lying around that you could repaint or a chair that you could re-upholster? Use what you can find and add a coat of paint or some fabric to give it some new life. 

4. Shop secondhand – Keep an eye on yard sales and Craigslist. Check your local thrift store. Sometimes, you can find things that are practically new at really good prices. It might take time to find what you’re looking for, but think of the potential savings. 

5. Do it DIY-style – If all else fails, do it yourself. If you can’t find what you’re looking for, build it. You can find tutorials online for just about any project you could possibly imagine. If you want pillows or curtains, buy some fabric and sew them yourself. 

6. Channel your inner-artist – Buy a few blank canvases and make some abstract art. Look for free printables online and frame them. You can also create quotes in Photoshop or a similar program and print them. Convert pictures to black and white and have them printed onto canvas. 

When I put together my craft space, I used a lot of the ideas I listed above. I used an old table for a desk. My husband helped me add vinyl words relating to creativity on the glass. My dad made some wooden organizers. I confiscated anything and everything I possibly could from our kitchen to store things in – serving trays, little glass dishes, etc. I printed and framed pictures. I made canvases. As we were out and about, I’d pick up a few things here and there. Buying a sewing machine was probably one of the best investments I’ve ever made and I could almost always find whatever tools I needed in my husband’s garage. It was a work in progress for a long time. 

Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Don’t let your budget stand between you and your decorating dreams. Even if you can’t do it all at once, keep going. Eventually, things will be exactly the way you want them – preferably sooner rather than later, right? 

Do you have some great tips for decorating on a budget? Leave a comment and add them to the list. 

Written by: Cristi Wuenschel