If money didn’t matter, I am sure most of us would have no problem finding plenty of redecorating tasks around our homes that we would love to spend our money on, especially now that spring is here and it feels like everything needs a new facelift.
However, most of us live on a budget (at least, I do), and big, expensive redecorating projects just don’t fit into it. But that doesn’t mean that I don’t want my home to look nice and up-to-date. It is the place where we spend the most time, and having a home that is pleasant to live in means a lot to me.
So the key for me being able to decorate my home the way I like it is being wise when it comes to redecorating projects. Here are some of my tricks and tips that I have learned through the years for decorating on a budget.
How to Decorate for Spring on a Budget
Clean and Declutter
First, I would start out by doing a good spring cleaning if your home needs it (my home always does). While spring cleaning, use this opportunity to rid your home of things that are no longer useful or bring you pleasure. You can donate items in good shape to a charity and take advantage of the tax deduction, or you can sell your unwanted items on ebay, craigslist or have a garage sale (just make sure not to bring any unsold items back into the house). The money you earn can go towards your redecorating project.
Use What You Already Have
Take a look at what you already have. Sometimes it is as easy as moving items from one room to another. Other times you may have nice solid pieces of furniture or accessories that really just need a new look. If you have a quality piece of furniture, such as a couch or chairs, it is often cheaper in the long run to reupholster them than replace them with items of inferior quality. If you know how to reupholster, or you are willing to learn (you can easily find lots of online tutorials), then you can save a bundle. If you don’t feel confident tackling a reupholstering project, you can purchase nice slipcovers instead. Other items can be refinished or painted for a completely new look.
Paint
Just giving a room a new coat of paint can do wonders. You can paint just one wall for an accent wall. For the price of a gallon (or quart for just an accent wall), the room can look completely different. If your kitchen needs a makeover, you can save a lot of money by painting your cabinets. It can really update the space while saving a lot of money.
Think Creatively
Things don’t always have to be used for the created purpose. I had a friend that took a metal trellis from the neighbor’s trash, painted it and turned it sideways for a really cool headboard. Or, you can make your own headboard with a piece of plywood, some fabric, and some foam. You can take a small table and paint it for a desk. You can create an area rug using carpet samples and taping them together on the underside, or you can get a piece of remnant carpet and get the edges bound. The idea is to think outside the box.
Shop Wisely
If you do decide that you want or need to buy items, then shop smart. You can scour garage sales for good finds, swap items with friends, look for estate sales in nicer neighborhoods, moving sales or resale stores like Habitat For Humanity. You can find some nice pieces of furniture for low prices at thrift stores, especially if you have the knack for refurbishing items. Many towns also have neighborhood facebook swap and sale pages.
I love Craigslist for remodeling projects. Most of the furniture and appliances in my home have come from Craigslist. Here is one trick that has served me well. When I am looking for an item on Craigslist, I search for older postings. Sellers are much more willing to negotiate on price if the items have been there for a while. However, if you see an item that you know is a great deal, then act quickly before it is snatched up.
It’s the Little Things
Some little things can really spruce up a room. Some new throw pillows can brighten things up. You can buy them inexpensively or even recover the ones you have. If you are handy with a sewing machine
New Artwork
Replacing old, faded and outdated pieces of artwork is a great idea. You can look for affordable artwork on places like Craigslist, you can get great prints and frame them nicely, or you can try your hand at creating your own artwork to hang on the wall. If you have a budding artist in your house framing their creations is awesome way to display their art.
As you see, there are a lot of ways to redecorate without breaking the bank. The whole idea here is that you don’t have to sacrifice comfort and style in an effort to save money. You can accomplish those remodeling projects by using creativity and wisdom.
What great ideas do you have for remodeling on a budget?
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