Home decorating on a budget is not difficult, but it requires a touch of inspiration, available time to shop around, and creativity. This article will help you choose the most wanted decorative items without spending too much. Get ready!
One of the first steps before you start decorating is to declutter your space. Start by removing anything that doesn’t fit your home or style anymore.
Then set a clear goal for this space. For example: refresh your living room with a calming colour scheme and accessories that add comfort. Or to simply turn an unused area under the staircase into an inviting reading nook.
The next step is to define a budget for your decoration. Make a list with the things you would like to add to your space based on the goal you have already set.
Also, check what items you currently have that can be repurposed. DIY where possible so you have more funds available to spend with expensive items such as furniture and lighting.
Home decorating with cushions
Affordable and versatile, cushions add style and contrast, instantly refreshing sofas and chairs. Also, they provide physical comfort and support, encouraging relaxation and creating cosy spots for socialising or reading.
There is a variety of sizes and shapes available, and they can easily be switched out seasonally, enabling a cost-effective way to refresh the room’s look.
You will find decorative cushions for sale in most department stores, thrift shops, home decor and online retailers. They offer a variety of colours and fabrics, including cotton, polyester, faux fur, and more.
We encourage you to play with different hues, and to incorporate textures. They not only invite touch but also bring visual interest and depth to the room.
If you find a bargain with smooth fabrics like silk or velvet, grab it because they will add richness to your room.
Home decorating colours
Colours play a pivotal role in setting the desired mood of a room and ambience. They can influence emotions and perceptions, impacting how the space feels and functions.
If you are on a budget, start with neutral base tones and add pops of colour through affordable accessories. Things such as a bed runner, recycled books, plants and vases, photo frames.
You will find that most painting stores would have regular promotions on certain finishes they are overstocked. We also recommend to check if any order has been returned recently. You could purchase the quantity of paint you need for a fraction of the suggested retail price.
Home decorating colour tips:
- Warm tones like reds and yellow create energy, suitable for social areas and where vibrancy is needed.
- If you are planning to induce calmness, then we recommend picking cooler tones like blues and greens. They are great for bedrooms.
- Accent walls can also enhance a room’s visual appeal. They can be achieved with wallpaper, or painting the wall with a unique colour and finish.
Lighting
The significance of lighting in room decoration cannot be overstated. Lighting has the power to shape the mood, highlight architectural features or decorative objects, and influence how we perceive a space.
When choosing lighting for your space, plan what kind of atmosphere and emotional response you want to create within your room. Warm and cool lights differ significantly in their impact on room ambiance.
- Warm light has typically yellow or soft orange tones. It creates a cosy and inviting environment by mimicking the warm glow of candlelight or a sunset.
- They evoke a sense of intimacy, comfort and relaxation, and are well-suited for spaces where people gather to unwind, such as living rooms, bedrooms, and dining areas.
- Cool light emits bluish or white tones that resemble moonlight. It creates a sense of freshness, focus, and alertness.
- They are great in spaces where tasks require precision and concentration, like kitchens, home offices, and bathrooms.
- Cool lights can make spaces feel more open and expansive, making it a popular choice for modern and minimalist designs.
Below are some budget friendly lighting ideas to help you decorate your room:
- Repurpose items as makeshift lighting fixtures, like mason jars or decorative baskets. They can add a unique touch, and are an affordable and creative idea.
- Opt for energy-efficient LED bulbs. They are available in both warm and cool options, and will last longer.
- Table lamps are a great decorating feature for any room. They add charm and comfort, and you can easily change the lampshade for a fresh new look.
- Experiment with string lights or affordable floor lamps for ambient lighting. They instantly elevate the room’s atmosphere, and many come with dimmer switches.
- Desk lamps or clip-on reading lights offer task lighting without requiring electrical work. They are perfect for bedrooms and home offices.
Artwork
Incorporating print artwork is an affordable way to infuse your space with personality and style, giving it a unique touch that reflects your aesthetic while keeping within your budget.
Choose prints that resonate with you, from minimalist designs to vibrant illustrations. Consider mixing different shapes and themes to create a personalised gallery wall that draws attention.
Browse online for an array of affordable options that suit your room style, and look for large framing options when possible as they can anchor a room.
Remember, framing doesn’t have to be uniform; diverse frame sizes and finishes can add charm and character to your display. You can repurpose old frames with a fresh coat of paint for a cohesive look, or mix and match frame styles for an eclectic feel.
Plants
The beauty of decorating a room with plants is its budget-friendly nature. Nurseries, garden centres, and even online retailers offer an array of affordable options. Consider the available space when selecting indoor plants. Start small with a few potted plants and gradually expand your collection.
Repurposing old containers or pots can further cut costs. Additionally, propagating plants from cuttings is a cost-effective way to grow your indoor garden. With a little care and creativity, incorporating plants into your decor is a straightforward and economical way to breathe life into your living space.
Photo credit – Rasteniya-interier
Below are some suggestions to help you choose the right plants for your space:
- Choose low-maintenance plants if you don’t have much experience with indoor gardening or your life is already too busy with other tasks.
- Spider Plants and Pothos thrive in a variety of lighting conditions, making them ideal for beginners.
- If your home has limited natural sunlight, opt for ZZ Plants and Peace Lilies. They thrive in low-light conditions.
- Compact plants like Air Plants or small Ferns work well for tight corners and shelves.
- Succulents like Aloe Vera and Snake Plants require minimal attention and add a modern touch.
- Larger plants like Elephant Ear or Swiss Cheese Plants can become statement pieces in larger rooms.
- Remember that plants not only lend a refreshing aesthetic, but also improve indoor air quality by naturally purifying the environment.
Rugs
Rugs can be an affordable option when decorating a room, offering an instant transformation to your space without the need for extensive renovations or costly furniture purchases.
Their benefits are beyond aesthetics. Rugs add layers of texture and warmth to a room, transforming cold and bare floors into cosy spaces that invite relaxation and socialising.
Functionality is another key advantage of incorporating rugs into your decor. They help delineate and define different areas within an open floor plan, creating visual boundaries in spaces like living and dining areas.
They will protect your flooring from wear and tear, acting as a buffer against scratches and damage. From plush shag to durable jute, different rug fabrics cater to various preferences and functional needs.
Rugs also absorb sound and provide insulation, contributing to better acoustics and a comfortable atmosphere.
Below are some suggestions to help you decorate your home with rugs on a budget:
- Avoid ordering custom made sizes. They are more expensive and harder to negotiate price.
- You can stack or layer smaller rugs together if you need to cover a large area on a budget.
- One colour rugs are normally cheaper than decorative models with patterns.
- If you like a rug with pattern style, buy it in small size and place a neutral rug underneath it.
- Jute or sisal rugs add a natural, rustic touch to spaces and are suitable for high-traffic areas like entryways and dining rooms.
- Soft and plush rugs, such as those made from cotton, wool or polyester, provide comfort underfoot and are perfect for living rooms and bedrooms.
Check rugs online to see budget options available.
Top 10 home decorating accessories by categories:
- Comfort items (cushions, throws, candles, diffuser, bed runners, pillows)
- Feature pieces (vases, sculptures, print artwork, mirrors)
- Door accessories (knobs, handles & levers, digital locks)
- Lighting (candles, table lamp, pendant light, accent lighting)
- Plants (hanging plants, decorative pots)
- Painting (colours, textures)
- Rugs (bamboo, cotton, jute, plastic, cowhide, faux fur)
- Seating (arm chair, dining chair, stools, ottomans, daybed, bench)
- Serving tables (coffee or side table, bar cart, stool)
- Window furnishing (curtains, roller blinds, shutters, venetian blinds, panel glides)