Are you looking for ways to give your home a unique style without spending a fortune? Over the years, my love for home decor and my personal cottage style have evolved, but my desire to decorate on a budget has not.
Everything I’ve done to improve my home has always been done with very limited resources, and as a result, I’ve become more patient in my purchases and more creative in my reuse.
These are the best ways I’ve learned to decorate on a budget, whether you’re buying second-hand or (occasionally) brand new.
Buy your house. Is it possible that you already have something that matches the space you are furnishing? Walk not only through your rooms, but also through your attic, basement and garage. Maybe there’s something you already have that you’ve forgotten! For example, I recently needed a piece of furniture to use as a printer stand in my office. Due to the limited space, it had to be a certain size and have an open space underneath for another item of a certain size. It turned out that a piece I used in the kitchen fit perfectly!
Buy a friend or relative’s house. Someone you know may have the item you’re looking for, so ask! You might be able to get it for a great price, or even trade/trade it for something of your own.
Thrift shop. Thrift stores, garage sales, online marketplaces, and other thrift stores are great places to find gently used furniture and other decorating items. I’ve even found some pretty amazing items on the sidewalk – I’m always amazed at what other people throw away, and I’m not shy about stuffing things in my trunk if I think I could use it!
reuse. Take a look at an item you have (or are considering buying) and determine if it can be reused or recycled to solve a new problem. Can you turn that low wooden coffee table into an activity table for the kids’ playroom? Turn a nice flat sheet into cafe curtains for the kitchen? Making a driveway tree out of an old door?
Do your thing. Recently, someone in an online decorating group asked for help finding a sign for their kitchen that reads “Pantry.” She told the group that she had already looked at two of the popular major retail chains and couldn’t find any. My thought was, why not just make one? A handmade sign would be easy to make and would have a lot more character and personality than something mass produced. On a grander scale, I’ve wanted a primitive-style cabin for a long time, but I was never lucky enough to find one at a price I was willing to pay. One day I mentioned this to a friend and he offered to build one, which he did, in exchange for a homemade dinner.
Shop deals, coupons and deals when you buy something new. With every outlet regularly advertising massive sales, there is simply no reason to pay full price. Shopping late in the season, or right after the season for things like Christmas decorations, is also a good strategy when shopping for new items. Bonus tip: check if your favorite store has an app for your smartphone; there may be recurring coupons built into the app, such as 40 percent off a regular priced item. Forty percent is almost always enough to get you in!
There are so many ways to decorate on a budget. My style revolves around beloved, time-worn vintage items with character and history, meaning I rarely buy anything new. It also means that I almost always pay very affordable prices!
