​The homify guide to decorating on a budget

Johannes van Graan Johannes van Graan
Garden Rose Room, Caxton Rhode Caxton Rhode غرفة المعيشة
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Here at homify we firmly believe that everyone deserves beauty in their lives. That’s why we always go the extra mile to bring our readers top-notch décor- and design tips to help them enjoy beautiful homes.

But of course we are also aware that limitless budgets are not feasible for everyone, which is why we strategise logically to achieve interior (and exterior) beauty while decorating on a budget. And while knee-deep in our research, we were surprised to learn just how easy it can be to give the home a fresh new look without selling a vital organ or robbing a bank.

However, before we share our tips for decorating on a budget, first you need to clean your home and get it organised. This will help improve the quality of all your rooms and make you view them with a fresh eye. 

Then, you may proceed with our carefully constructed list…

1. Plan before you start

Planning for any project is important; doing it while working with a small budget is crucial. After all, you don’t want to spend money on that marked-down sofa you were so lucky to discover just to find out it doesn’t fit into your living room, right? 

So, after giving your home a decent clean-up, find your design inspiration. Look at design magazines, Pinterest boards and, obviously, our extensive range of images and articles here on homify (which are regularly updated to fit in with the newest design trends). Figure out which style you’d like to imitate in your home. 

Then, break the project down into simple parts: floors, furniture, walls, decorative elements, etc. Browse stores to get an idea of how much the components will cost. Remember to take into account additional expenses, like hiring handymen.

Then, take a look at your finances. Be honest about how much you have for decorating on a budget. If that amount falls short of what you’re planning, set aside a manageable amount each week/month until you reach your goal. This might take longer than splurging with a credit card, but you’ll thank yourself afterwards.

2. Repurpose your current pieces

Mysterious Woods Pixers غرفة المعيشة deer,forest,wall mural,wallpaper,posters,poster,poster

DIY projects are popular for a reason: not only do they bring out the creative side in a person, they also help save time and money (if you’re willing to put in a little elbow grease). With the right tools and time, almost any component of your house can be given a fresh new look. 

Have a look around your home and think outside the box on how you can give existing items a new use. Do you really need to spend so much money on brand-new kitchen cabinets or can you simply reface the current ones? Will a fresh coat of paint and perhaps a DIY headboard give your bedroom the sparkling new look it deserves?

There’s an excellent chance that most projects you can imagine already have DIY guides out there, like here on homify, a video on YouTube, the never-ending landscape of Google… Be sure to study these guides thoroughly before starting a project and continue to consult it as you proceed. 

However, always know when to ask for help, such as letting a friend lend a hand or consulting one of the expert professionals here on homify.

3. Budget ideas: Paint an accent wall

Painting an accent wall instead of an entire room is one of the most cost-effective decorative updates you can make to your home. But before you take the plunge with paint, be sure you’ve picked a colour you love. 

Check out some free palettes from your home improvement store to get an idea of their range of available hues. Once you’ve narrowed it down to a few choices, you can pick up samples of each. 

But don’t immediately tackle that wall with a paint can and brush; first, paint small squares of each sample colour on the wall of the room to see which you like best. Allow this to stand for a day or two, seeing how the colour changes in different light. 

homify hint: Decorating on a budget means you probably don’t have enough money to strip off your bathroom/kitchen’s existing tiles for a re-tile job. Instead, smarten up the whole space quickly with a grouting pen. Be sure to also reseal around the bathtub and shower for some additional style.

4. Budget ideas: Updating your lighting

No list dealing with decorating on a budget would be complete without low-cost lighting tips. The best thing about lighting is that it has the ability to transform an entire room’s mood, and you don’t need to fork out that much to achieve it.

Why not buy a new (budget-friendly) shade for that lamp? Or replace mismatched table lamps with stylish matching ones? Place one on either side of your sofa or bed, and see how the room suddenly has cohesive style.

And don’t overlook the positive influence that LEDs can have on your electricity bill.

5. Budget ideas: Style up your pillows

No money for a new sofa? Decorating on a budget means you can always look to the other feature on those chairs and couches that bring colour and character into the room: the scatter cushions and pillows. Find bargain designs to suit the room’s style that are one of a kind and will style up the seating space in an instant. 

If you’re not sure which colours to choose, take inspiration from the palette of your walls and floor. 

homify hint: No budget to add a window to your gloomy hallway? Invest in a low-cost yet large mirror to strategically double up on visual space and light reflecting. Charity shops, second-hand stores and flea markets are bound to present a few options – plus you can always paint/change that frame if it doesn’t fit in with your home’s current look.

6. Budget ideas: Don’t forget the floor

Few things bring a room down as quickly as a dull-looking floor, and a frayed and stained carpet is usually the main culprit in these scenarios. 

How are those floorboards beneath the carpet? If they’re still good, the least expensive option is to sand them down and paint or stain the wood. A new runner can be added to the stairs and hallways. But if you want to re-carpet the whole room (or house), search for specials at warehouses or online. 

Just keep in mind that carpet-fitting is a job best left to the professionals. 

There are lots more where these came from! Let’s see more ways in which you can Transform your décor on a budget.

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