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Are you looking to upgrade your interior space but wondering how to proceed with a limited budget?
Are you bored with your current style and want to refresh it? Or, maybe you’ve been inspired by a stunning interior in a magazine or your friend’s decor, or read about a great decor idea from a blog post. However, it can be daunting to undertake a decor project to enhance your home, especially considering the potentially high costs.
So, how do you upgrade your interior space while keeping your wallet happy?
The good news is that you can decorate your interior on a low budget—you don’t have to break the bank. Whether you plan to revamp your bedroom or living room or give your bathroom a facelift, upgrading your home decor doesn’t have to come with a hefty price tag.
Delve into this post and discover smart budget-friendly ideas to help you decorate your home stylishly and affordably.
Rearrange Your Furniture
You want a fresh look in your living room and your initial thought is to buy new furniture. Well, that’s not always necessary. Rearranging the furniture will do the trick. But, before you proceed, you must have a goal of what you want to achieve.
It can be that you want your living room to be more cozy, maximize space, or create a multi-functional space effectively. Whatever the reason for upgrading your living room, you need a plan.
For example, you may want to improve the mood of a room by creating a peaceful, calm, or happy environment. To achieve this, you can place two identical sofas facing each other with a coffee table in between to create balance and harmony.
If you want a more inviting space, opt for an eclectic decor style like the one in the photo above; one big sofa and two smaller ones. The living room features different types of sofas but maintains a consistent white color scheme.
Alternatively, you can upgrade your interior space to encourage face-to-face communication by bringing sofas closer to make conversing much easier. This way, you can hear each other clearly, allowing conversations at a deeper level, and strengthening family bonds. Remember, the living room is where you and your loved ones relax and talk about their day, have meaningful conversations with friends and family, and even formal meetings.
Still, to communicate better, orient the seating arrangement around a fireplace, TV, or a large window.
You may also desire a focal point that directs attention; an element that commands visual interest like a fireplace, greenery, a window, a piece of artwork, or even a nice-looking sofa. It’s a point of interest that first attracts your attention when you enter a space.
In retrospect, know what you want to achieve with your living room, and then plan around that.
Add New But Affordable Textiles
New textiles such as pillows, blankets, curtains, or rugs can quickly change the look of a room. You can instantly refresh the look of your sofa or bed when you remove the old throw pillows and replace them with new ones. And, you can do this on a friendly budget. You only need to replace the covers instead of the actual pillows.
And, as you do so, remember to use the odd number rule. Use three, five, or seven pillows, to make your décor look balanced. Though, five is usually the perfect amount on a sofa or bed. But, if you want more than seven pillows, always maintain this rule.
In addition, avoid overwhelming your décor with oversized pillows, and don’t make your pillows look out of place by using tiny ones.
To add depth and interest, mix patterns and textures to your decor. And, if you can sew, make your pillow covers from fabric remnants that match the decor theme. It will be a lot cheaper.
When using different textures, up to three different types are good enough. For example, you can mix two embossed pillows, two velvet, and one that’s crocheted.
How about adding a colorful throw blanket over the back of a sofa or the arm of a chair? It not only adds a splash of color but it also provides warmth and comfort. You can acquire several blankets and throws which you can rotate seasonally to keep your decor fresh. Use lightweight fabrics in summer and chunky knits or faux fur in winter.
Layering rugs is a trendy and budget-friendly option, whereby you place a smaller, more decorative rug on top of a larger, more neutral one to add depth and interest. Also, replacing your old curtains with new ones can elevate your interior space without spending much.
Accessorize
Accessories can have a big impact on your decor. You can look for unique and inexpensive decorative items in thrift stores such as vases, candle holders, and other decorative items that add character to your home.
Vases can be small enough to place on your bedside table, while others can be large statement pieces. Made from different materials like glass, ceramic, and metal, they come in a diverse range, giving you various options.
Similarly, you have a variety of lamps to choose from, as they also come in numerous shapes, sizes, and colors. Additionally, there are countless other decorative pieces available in interior decor shops.
You can also accessorize by placing single items in your favorite spots such as a large family photo, painting, or heirloom on the living room wall. Alternatively, you can group accessories by combining different decor elements, such as a vase, lamp, and unique decorative item, and placing it on a coffee or bedside table. And, as always, don’t forget the rule of using odd numbers.
Add Affordable Feature Walls
A feature wall can add character to your interior space without a big investment. You can use paint, wallpaper, or other materials to create a focal point.
For example, to create a feature wall in your bathroom, paint a bold color, add an interesting pattern, or stick wallpaper like the one above with a floral print.
Another example is creating a gallery wall with framed art, photos, and other decorations, which is an excellent idea for decorating your bedroom, living, or study room.
Ugrade Your Space With Mirrors
Mirrors reflect light and can create the illusion of more space. To achieve this, place them strategically to reflect views and light, to make a room look bigger.
You can also use a mirror as a focal point in a room by placing a large mirror with an organic shape like a leaf or a geometric shape like a rectangle or circle. Alternatively, arrange smaller mirrors together for a decorative effect.
Add a Personal Touch
Adding personal touches can elevate your interior and make your home uniquely yours. A good example is showcasing items that hold special meaning or memories.
For example, display family photos, souvenirs from your travels, or family heirlooms in interesting ways, such as on the wall, shelves, mantels, or windowsills. You can also display vintage items, books, or antiques you love or add wall art with your favorite quotes.
Light Your Home Affordably
Good lighting is another way of elevating your space, which can dramatically change the ambiance of a room. And, you don’t need expensive fixtures to achieve this.
Table and floor lamps are affordable options for adding a task or ambient lighting. You can look for stylish lamp bases and pair them with inexpensive shades that complement your decor.
Another way to achieve this is by highlighting specific areas or objects with accent lighting, which can be achieved with inexpensive spotlights, clip-on lights, or LED strips.
Still, another option is layering different types of affordable lighting (ambient, task, accent) to create depth and interest in a room. This can be achieved with a combination of overhead lights, floor lamps, and task lights strategically placed around the room.
What’s more? Make the most of natural light during the day by keeping windows unobstructed and using sheer and light curtains. This can make rooms feel larger and more inviting without any cost.
Refresh Your Interior With Plants
Adding plants is an affordable method of elevating your space by bringing life and color to your home.
Select plants that thrive indoors and are suitable for the lighting conditions of your space. Examples of plants you can bring into your home include pothos, snake plants, peace lilies, succulents, and ferns.
In whichever room you add the plants, strategically place them to add greenery. Consider corners, windowsills, shelves, and tabletops as potential spots for displaying the plants.
To add visual interest, use pots of different materials such as ceramic, metal, or woven baskets. You can also hang plants using wall-mounted planters, especially if floor space is limited. Grouping the plants at varying heights is another creative idea for displaying them.
However, properly care for your plants to keep them healthy. Thus, you need to know the amount of water, light, humidity, and nutrients your plants need.
Affordable DIY Decorating Projects
DIY projects can be a fun way to elevate your interior. A little DIY can turn a thrift store find into a stunning decor piece by painting, staining, or embellishing it to fit your style.
For example, you can paint plain vases to match your décor. You can also wrap them in twine, or use washi tape. Below is a fun project you can do at home:
Step-by-Step Guide to Spray Painting a Vase
Materials Needed:
- Glass vase
- Spray paint (suitable for the vase material)
- Primer (optional, depending on the vase material)
- Sandpaper (fine grit)
- Drop cloth or newspaper
- Painter’s tape (if needed)
- Gloves
- Mask (to protect from fumes)
- Sealant (optional)
Steps:
Set up the workspace and wash the vase
- Set up a workspace by laying down a drop cloth or newspaper on a table or a suitable surface to protect the surrounding area from overspray.
- Ensure the area is well-ventilated, preferably outdoors or in a garage with the door open.
- Wash the vase thoroughly with soap and water to remove dirt, dust, or oils. Dry it completely.
Sand and spray paint the vase
- Lightly sand the vase with fine-grit sandpaper to create a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. Wipe away any dust with a damp cloth.
- Spray a light coat of primer, holding the can 6 to 8 inches away from the vase, and apply evenly in sweeping motions.
- Allow the primer to dry completely as per the manufacturer’s instructions.
- Shake the spray paint can vigorously for 1-2 minutes to mix the paint thoroughly.
- Hold the spray can about 6 to 8 inches away from the vase. Start spraying before you reach the vase and continue past the end to avoid drips, applying light, and even coats in sweeping motions.
- Dry between coats, allowing each coat to dry completely before applying the next. This usually takes about 10-20 minutes.
- Apply multiple light coats until you achieve full coverage. It typically takes 2-3 coats for an even finish.
- Once the final coat is dry, inspect the vase for any missed spots or uneven areas. Touch up if necessary
Apply sealant (optional)
- For durability, you can apply a clear sealant over the painted surface. This step is optional but recommended for vases that will be handled frequently.
- Allow the vase to cure for at least 24 hours before using it to ensure the paint is fully set and durable.
By following the steps above, you can create a stylish accessory when you want to spend less. For more inspiration on this, check out the following video:
Wrap Up
Upgrading your space doesn’t have to break the bank. Rearranging furniture to create a fresh layout, and accessorizing with affordable items like vases, lamps, and decorative pieces are ways to decorate your space on a low budget.
Mirrors and plants can brighten and enliven any room, and feature walls, whether painted or with wallpaper can add a focal point. Replacing old textiles with new ones such as curtains, throw pillows, and rugs can transform a space, not forgetting that personal touches like photos and mementos make your home uniquely yours. All these changes can be done on a low budget.
Incorporating lighting that blends with your decor can enhance your interior, while DIY projects add a custom flair without high costs. These are budget-friendly, allowing you to refresh your space for less.
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