When it comes to decorating your home there are no rules. When you have an unlimited budget, your options increase exponentially. So how do you decorate your home on a tight budget? Using creativity and some elbow grease, you can transform the décor in your home to fit any budget, even if it's only $50.
Budget: $50 - $100
A quick trip to the hardware or craft store will give you plenty of ideas for low-cost decorating that could change the look of any room in your house in just a few hours' time.
- With $50 you could paint an accent wall in your living room for just the cost of a can of paint, some rollers and a drop cloth. Think about the colors that are already in your room, and pick a complementary color that will make a huge statement.
TIP: Stencils are a great way to decorate on a budget. You can buy a ready-made stencil and paint a design on your wall, or you can create your own stencil out of cardboard and use that to paint a completely unique design for your home that will look much more expensive.
- If you don't want to paint, head to the craft store and buy a few yards of fabric and sew up some new curtains or pillows.
- Sewing not your thing? Spend the $50 on some inexpensive picture frames in different sizes, colors and shapes and create your own gallery wall in your home.
- If you aren't even looking to redecorate your living room, you could easily spruce up your bathroom with just $50 to spend. Many big-box retailers sell complete bathroom sets that have coordinating shower curtains, bathroom rugs and bath accessories for reasonable prices. Add your own flair with colorful hand towels.
Budget: $250 -$350
When you've got a little more to spend, you can combine some of the less expensive ideas with some pricier ideas.
- Instead of splashing a few new colors on the wall, why not splash them around with furniture? Next time you're at a garage sale or an estate sale, keep an eye out for any furniture pieces that might look fantastic in your home
- Don't disregard a classic looking arm chair at a yard sale just because it's showing some wear and tear. Chances are you can get it at a steal and then have it cleaned or reupholstered in a luxe fabric or refinished with a different color stain to match your home.
- Lighting can also make a world of difference when decorating – even on a budget. A few well-placed lamps can liven up your room with minimal effort. Try to find lamps in accent colors or use lamp shades to brighten up the space.
Budget: $500 and up
As your budget increases so do your options. With a budget of $500 and more you can easily purchase larger pieces of furniture that will change the look of your home.
- A new area rug is a great way to add a different style when you're on a budget. You can add different colors and textures to the room which create an entirely new look.
- Even a kitchen can be easily decorated on a $500 budget in a weekend. Get inspiration from home magazines and your favorite designer websites and try to mimic the ideas you love. Your local home improvement store will sell cabinet refinishing systems that can refresh the look of outdated cabinets for under $200. Don't forget new hardware or at least a good scrubbing of the existing pieces.
- The same idea can be used for your countertops; there are kits that come with everything you need to transform your damaged and worn laminate countertops at a fraction of the cost of replacing them.
TIP: To save money on the drawer pulls and knobs, spray paint them in a coordinating color. Be sure to let them dry completely before reinstalling them.
Whatever your budget, there are ways to freshen up the inside of your home without breaking the bank. Home décor has no rules, so as long as you're decorating it the way you like, there is no wrong way to decorate your home.