In the current economic climate, most of us are looking for ways to save money. However, we also want to update our homes – we want to add something new, refresh a color scheme, or have new furniture. Sometimes “new” can be defined as “different”. We just want to look at something different. There are lots of ways to save money when decorating your home on a shoestring budget . . . here are a few to try.
Budget Decorating Tips
1. Make your own art: frame postcards, calendar pictures, everyday finds like maps, children’s art, pretty paper or fabric. You can pick up frames inexpensively at yard sales or thrift stores. Sometimes the item might not need a frame – can you attach it to stretched canvas or build your own frame from scrap wood pieces? Another idea is to watch for 40% off stretched canvas sales at the craft store; buy the size in scale with your wall space and paint an abstract painting (just stripes or circles or a pattern created with painter’s tape) with acrylic to pull together multiple colors in room. Look through art books (and quilting books, etc.) at the library to find a simple pattern you can copy/adapt.
Using paper, decoupage and painted frames you can make a cohesive grouping. Photo via BHG.com
Display a collection on black painted pegboard. Photo via SimplyGrove.com
Frame a collection – seashells, buttons, or needlework make great art pieces. Hang your serving platters or pretty plates from the thrift store to add color in a dining space. For a fun addition to a family room, frame/hang a couple of game boards.
Even if your home has art on all the main walls, changing it for a few months and using something you make can really give a space a lift. Try it, you’ll like it!
2. Bring outside in: use branches, pinecones, rocks, moss to fill in an empty space. You don’t need expensive accessories, just some pieces of mother nature to dress a table or nightstand.
Photo via my magazine archives.
Photo via Style At Home.com
Photo via Style-Files.com
3. Create a focal point: if your room doesn’t have a fireplace or other natural focal point, create one on the dominant wall. Try using paint for a faux finish, stencil an oversize pattern, or hang an oversized piece of art you make yourself (see above).
A bold wallpaper creates a focal wall. Photo via Lonny Magazine.com
4. Paint: a wall or give life to old furniture with a coat of paint; add interest by painting stripes or a stencil pattern.
Photo via GreatOakCircle.com
Photo via ETSY shop Cutting Edge Stencils
You’d be amazed what you can accomplish with a quart of paint! If the budget can manage a gallon of paint, that’s enough to paint a powder room, a bedroom, an accent wall and a piece of furniture……
5. Use second hand furnishings and accessories: frequent thrift stores, yard and estate sales, online sources like Amazon, Overstock.com, Craigs List, and Ebay, and end of season sales at department stores. Customize a thrift purchase with paint or add some molding trim or use a couple of yards of fabric to reupholster or make new cushions. Here’s a quick how-to for the chest below.
Photo via ImpatientlyPrayingforPatience.blogspot.com
6. Recycle, reuse: bring new life to an old lamp with spray paint and updated shade; cut up and reuse old sweaters, throws or linens to make new pillow covers, update a frame for your handmade art.
Update a light fixture. Photo via BHG.com
Update your throw pillows. Photo via BHG.com
All of these projects can be accomplished with a limited home decorating budget. Even if money is no object, it can be fun to personalize your home with your version of one of these ideas. How do you save money when you want to update a space? Share your favorite money saving tips in the Comment section. Remember, by leaving a comment today your name will be entered in the big giveaway we’re having on Wednesday, June 15. Each day you leave a comment, you earn an entry into the drawing.
You might win one of three great prizes: a copy of our 100 page PDF book How to Successfully Use Color in Home Decorating (a $19.95 value), a set of chalkboard peel and stick tags from Bradens Grace Wall Art ($8 value) ETSY shop or a fanciful pillow from Desmond Brown Design ($29 value) ETSY shop. Leave your comment today!
Pillow by Desmond Brown Design.
Labels from Bradens Grace Wall Art
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I love that green night stand and have just the piece to use to make my own.
These are clever ideas to decorate walls. Thanks for the informative post.
My favorite shot is the one with the fruit. Fresh fruit is always in display at our house and it gets the kids to each healthier too! Mother nature’s color possibilities are endless!
The “possibilities are ENDLESS!” You’ve got my creative juices flowing…AGAIN! franki