5 Tips for Decorating on a Budget

When you’re trying to stick to a strict budget, redecorating is probably the last thing on your mind. That doesn’t have to be the case. Decorating can be as cheap as it is fun if you know where to search for treasures or reinvent your space with just a few small tweaks. What’s more, the decor in your apartment is a direct reflection of who you are—that’s not something that should fall by the wayside. So if you’re interested in sprucing up your space, but you’re also strapped for cash, consider these tips for decorating on a budget:

Make the thrift store your new best friend. Avid DIYers know how to scour the thrift store for hidden gems. Even if this skill doesn’t come to you naturally, you can acquire it. Set aside some time to really explore your local thrift store. Try to see everything on the shelves as a potential new piece in your home. A champagne bucket, for instance, could hold flowers. Vintage, multi-colored glass bottles could become part of a faux stained glass piece in front of your kitchen window. If you go into the thrift store with an open mind, you might be surprised by what you walk out with—and how noticeable an effect the new piece has on your apartment.
Organize (and embellish) with trays. You can use trays in every room of the apartment. They decrease the look of clutter, thus enhancing the overall aesthetic of your home. What’s more, they also add character—especially if you buy vintage ones. So when you go to the thrift store, keep an eye out for retro trays that might look cool under your Keurig or collect the odds and ends on your coffee table (including the remotes). You can even repurpose old mirrors as trays.
Rearrange. Sometimes making your home look brand new is just a matter of perspective. You won’t have to put out any cash to rearrange existing pieces of furniture, and this simple act could completely reinvent your space. Flip the entire layout of your living room, moving a couch over here and an end table over there. You can also move pieces from one room to another. Perhaps there’s a large storage ottoman at the end of your bed that would look good in front of the couch? Give it a try.
Add your artistic flair to a blank canvas. Buying a single large canvass from the craft store could completely make over your main room. There’s so much you can do with a blank canvas—whether you’re artsy or not. Use silver or gold thumbtacks to create an intricate design (or simply your first initial). Paint the entire canvas in wall paint that’s just a shade brighter than the color you have on your walls. Let your imagination lead the way.
Paint. Perhaps the simplest way to ensure that even your closest friends notice a big change? Paint. If you just intend to paint one room at a time, the gallon it takes to do so should fit comfortable in almost any budget. Just make sure you choose a color that works well with your existing furniture and decor so that you won’t have to make any other drastic changes.

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