The price of real estate in most major cities leaves little room for error when it comes to home decor. Even a small apartment can cost well into the six figures, which means that saving up for that perfect rug or vintage armchair is practically impossible for many people. Fortunately, that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to living with boring white walls, secondhand furniture, and threadbare rugs indefinitely. There are plenty of ways to decorate your home store on a tight budget, so you can look like a million bucks without having to spend one. Here are some ideas:
Use Paint To Change The Atmosphere
Painting is one of the most inexpensive ways to change the look and feel of a room. It’s even possible to paint an entire house for well under $1,000, and even higher-end paint brands are cheaper than most decor items. Even if you choose a bold colour for the entire house, the cost per room will still be extremely low especially if you share the work with your friends or hire a professional painter on the cheap. If you want to stick to a more understated palette, light grey, beige, and white are classic, neutral colours that are easy to pair with other decorations.
Shop At Thrift Stores Instead Of Designer Showrooms
One of the biggest ways to cut costs when decorating is to shop at thrift stores, garage sales, and even second-hand websites like eBay. Designer furniture and home decor are often extremely overpriced, but second-hand items can be just as stylish for a fraction of the price and often even more so.
Selecting bolder colours is a great way to make second-hand items look more stylish, so you don’t have to worry about investing in neutrals when you’re on a tight budget. There are even some websites that let you rent furniture and art for as little as $10 per month, so you can save up for that antique armchair or art gallery-quality painting without forking over thousands of dollars.
Try Renting Out Furniture And Art
If you’re looking to customise your home but can’t afford to buy everything new, renting out furniture and art is a great way to make your space feel like yours without breaking the bank. Several websites let you rent out furniture, art, and even appliances like refrigerators and toasters, making it easy to try new decorations and appliances without committing to something you might not like.
Bring The Outside In
If you have a balcony or a porch, you can bring the outside inside with plants, flowers, and other decorations. Even large potted plants can be extremely cheap, while they also provide your home with a fresh smell, which can make it feel more inviting. Renting a garden is another great way to bring the outside inside.
Depending on the size and type, garden rentals can be cheaper than you might expect, and they can allow you to grow fresh fruit and vegetables without the fuss of taking care of a full garden. For a more permanent solution, you can also use indoor gardens, such as grow boxes, hydroponic gardens, and vertical gardens, to bring the outside inside.
Maximise Small Spaces
When decorating small spaces, you want to maximise the available real estate and use every inch of your room. This can be done with a few different tricks, including investing in multi-purpose furniture, using patterns to draw the eye upward, and making sure every item in the room has a function. These are just a few of the ways to decorate your home on a tight budget. With some creativity, you can make a beautiful home without having to break the bank.