How To Decorate On a Budget: 13 Best Tips To Elevate Your Space & Save Money!

Last Updated July 14, 2024 by Davina Kelly

Do you want to learn how to decorate on a budget?

Decorating a home is an exciting venture, but it can quickly become overwhelming when you have budget constraints. 

But with a little creative thinking, and some extra work you can transform your home without breaking the bank. 

You can budget and save money without feeling uncomfortable and deprived. Even if you don’t have a lot of money you can still create a comfortable stylish space. 

I’m all about saving money, but my home is my sanctuary so I had to find ways to decorate and make it look expensive on a budget.

It can be hard to think of ways to decorate on a tight budget but these tips will help make your home look good. 

In this post, you’re going to learn how to decorate on a budget along with cheap decorating ideas for apartments.

After reading this post, you’ll know how to decorate an apartment on a budget and make it look refreshed and new.

This post is all about how to decorate on a budget.

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How To Decorate On a Budget (13 Best Tips):

1. Create a Budget

Before diving into how to decorate an apartment on a budget, the first step is to set a budget. 

Having a budget will help you get a clear picture of what you can afford to spend and help you avoid overspending.

When I was decorating my apartment the first thing I did was create an Excel spreadsheet with everything I needed to buy. I then looked at my finances to figure out how much I could afford to spend. 

Everyone’s financial situation is different but knowing how much you can afford to spend is a crucial step in how to decorate on a budget. 

Next, I divided my budget into different categories. Most of your budget will go towards furniture so I recommend allocating the majority of your funds to those priority items. You can allocate the rest to decor and accessories and opt for budget-friendly options. 

Once you know all the things you need to buy and how much you can afford to spend start researching the costs. Look up the prices of everything you need and add them to your budget. 

This includes furniture, paint, decor and any other essentials you need. 

Taking this approach will take the stress out of it and make the process enjoyable. 

2. Shop Friends & Families Homes

One of the best ways to save money is to shop within your network. Your friends and family might have items they no longer need that could be perfect for your home.

Since you’re trying to decorate on a budget embrace hand-me-downs. I know it can feel awkward asking, but your friends and family are the closest people to you and would likely be happy to help. 

Plus, I’m sure they would feel better knowing their cherished items are going to someone they care about. 

So reach out and ask your friends and family if they have any furniture, decor or household items they no longer need. You might be surprised by the treasures they have but want to get rid of. And you might be doing them a favour by taking it off their hands. 

This not only saves you money but also gives life to items that might go unused. 

3. Become a DIY Queen

It’s probably obvious at this point, but opting to do DIY projects yourself is a lot cheaper than hiring someone else. 

If you’ve never done it before it can seem overwhelming at first, but trust me it’s not as hard as it seems.

I used to avoid anything DIY lol looking back I think it was because it seemed too difficult. But during the pandemic, I had to learn because I had no choice. 

I’m not a pro now, but I can do things like put shelves up, assemble furniture and paint. So if I can do it you can too. 

You can start simple and begin with easy projects like assembling furniture. Then you can get creative and paint furniture or even create your own wall art. 

YouTube will be your best friend, you can use it to find tutorials on anything you want to learn. 

Invest in a basic tool set to help you with various projects. I got an inexpensive one from Ikea and can use it for most things.

4. Sell Anything You Don’t Need

If you have any furniture you no longer need or have fallen out of love with consider selling it. You can add the extra cash to your decorating budget. 

Go through each room and identify items you no longer need or use. This includes furniture, household items and any clothes or shoes.  

Next, list your items online. There are many websites you can use to sell your items such as eBay, Facebook marketplace and Poshmark. 

Facebook marketplace is a great platform to list furniture. It allows you to sell your items locally which is good for you and the buyer.  

Selling your items will allow you to declutter, create space for new items and make money. 

5. Search These Websites For Deals

The internet has made it easier than ever to shop for furniture and decor. There are plenty of websites with good deals, you just need to know where to look. 

Facebook marketplace, eBay and Craigslist are the best places to find discounted items and bargains on furniture.

Also, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to get quality furniture. You can shop at places like Ikea and Wayfair which have a lot of inexpensive furniture options. 

I love going to Ikea it’s like a fun day out for me lol

6. Paint The Walls In Light Colours (If You Can)

When it comes to decorating one of the first things you start with is the walls. It provides a focal point and sets the tone for the rest of your home.    

If you are allowed to paint I recommend painting your walls in a lighter colour like white, magnolia or off-white. Use one with a gloss finish to make it easier to clean. 

Painting your walls with a light colour will give you a blank canvas to work with. Whereas if you had colour on your walls you would have to find furniture and decor items to match. 

Lighter walls allow you to add pops of colour with accessories like pillows and blankets and give you the flexibility to refresh your decor effortlessly whenever you want. 

7. Earn Cashback & Gift Cards

If you really want to learn how to decorate on a budget you need to become a savvy spender. You will need to spend money to decorate, but why not earn cashback on your purchases? Earning cashback when you shop can save you a lot of money over time.

When you need to make an online purchase you can use websites like Topcasback and Rakuten to get cashback. If you have a credit card that offers cashback you can utilise that too. Ensure you pay your bill on time to avoid incurring interest charges and late fees.

You can also use platforms like Survey Junkie and Swagbucks to earn free gift cards. By signing up and completing simple tasks or taking surveys you can earn points which can be redeemed for gift cards. 

You can get gift cards for retailers like Walmart and Amazon which have a huge range of furniture and decor options to suit your budget. 

This can be done in your spare time using your mobile phone. It’s an easy way to earn some extra cash and stretch your budget even further. 

Photo Credit: By Sophia Lee 

8. Accentuate Plain Walls

One of the easiest ways to decorate on a budget is by accentuating your plain walls. 

You can do this by having a gallery wall with wall art, framed pictures, canvases, or a combination of all of them. This can really elevate the look of your apartment. 

Choose the option that best fits your style. I love art so I have lots of wall art. But if you aren’t into art you can use framed pictures, a canvas or both.

You can get inexpensive unique wall art from places like Etsy and you can buy frames like these to put them in. Use peel-and-stick options for easy application and removal.  

 

9. Get Creative

By tapping into your creativity you can turn ordinary items into extraordinary decor. This is one of the best cheap decorating ideas for apartments.

You can repurpose items, for example, you can turn an old ladder into a bookshelf. All you need to do is give the ladder a fresh coat of paint, organise your books neatly and you’ll have a brand new bookshelf. 

Also, get creative and upcycle furniture. This is a great way to decorate on a budget while adding a unique personal touch to your home. 

This could be as simple as repainting an old dresser with a fresh, trendy colour or reupholstering a worn-out chair with new fabric. 

This may take time but it will save you money, promote sustainability and reduce waste.  

10. Hunt For Bargains

Finding bargains is all about knowing where to look and being patient. If you’re looking for furniture at discounted prices don’t overlook these places.

• Outlet stores – Best place to find discounts on brand-name items
• Thrift stores – Great for finding unique and inexpensive items
• Garage sales – Good place to find hidden gems at very low prices

 Whether you’re looking for couches, dining room sets, bed frames or mirrors you will find some great bargains.

11. Take Advantage Of Sales

Taking advantage of sales is a great way to save a lot of money on your purchases. It’s one of the easiest ways to get your hands on low cost home decor. 

You can create a plan and buy your expensive items during this time. 

Look for sales during the holidays like Black Friday, Cyber Monday and Christmas. Black Friday is the biggest sale throughout the year so you should definitely take advantage of this one. 

Furniture and decor items often go on sale at the end of a season so look out for those sales too. 

12. Opt For Multifunctional Furniture

When you’re shopping opt for furniture that serves multiple purposes. For example, storage ottomans can provide storage and seating and convertible desks can be used as a workspace and dining area. 

A sofa bed is another great option. It can serve as seating and transform into a bed for guests. 

Choosing furniture that serves multiple purposes will save you money because you won’t need to buy as much. And it will give you maximum value for your money. 

13. Embrace Minimalism

Minimalism not only saves money but also creates a clean, uncluttered space. It’s nice to have all the things but sometimes less is more. You don’t need to fill every corner of your home.

Focus on essentials and only keep items that are functional or bring you joy. Opt for simple decor and choose to have a few pieces rather than overcrowding your space. Also, invest in a few high-quality items rather than many low-quality ones. 

Final Thoughts on How To Decorate on a Budget

Decorating on a budget is all about being resourceful, creative and strategic. By following the tips in this post you can create a beautiful and comfortable home without spending a fortune. 

Remember, the key is to prioritise your purchases, make the most of what you have and embrace the joy of DIY projects. Tap into your creativity to make your home reflect your style and try to enjoy the process. Happy decorating 🙂 

I hope you have found this post helpful and now know how to decorate on a budget. Which tip will you try? Let me know in the comments below. 

This post was all about how to decorate on a budget.

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