Home decorating ideas on a budget

If you’ve decided to give your home a fresh new look but want to do it on a budget, there’s lots of ways to make an impact in your interior without breaking the bank. Whether it’s introducing colour, upcycling or the strategic placing of furniture, there are lots of tips and tricks which can be used to create a significant change in your space without you feeling it financially. Here’s our guide to home decorating ideas on a budget.

Create a focal point

If you don’t have a focal point in your room, this is the perfect opportunity to create one and change the look and feel of your interior. A focal point could be a gallery wall, with frames of different colours and sizes, a large sofa with colourful cushions and a chunky knit throw or an accent wall – essentially, it’s an area in your room that immediately draws the eye.

Prop up a mirror

A mirror is a wonderful addition to any room, and if placed opposite a light source, be it a natural light (e.g. window) or artificial light (e.g. lamp), it can create a sense of space. You could either hang it on the wall or if you don’t want to put holes in your wall, simply prop it up and let it work its magic.

Rearrange your furniture

It might sound obvious, but rearranging your furniture can totally transform your space and change how you see it. Draw your room on a piece of paper (to scale if possible) and try different iterations of your existing furniture, focusing on arrangements that encourage social interaction. It could be as simple as switching a sofa and an armchair round or it could be moving everything from one side to another.

Paint existing furniture

Maybe you’re considering the colour scheme of your space and are looking at new furniture. But before you make any new purchases, look at your existing furniture. Would it still fit into your new aesthetic? If so, a new lick of paint can change how it complements your space.

You could also change the handles to complete its new look.

New covers

Colour and patterns can largely dictate the aesthetic of an interior and if you don’t have the budget to purchase a new sofa or armchair, how about upholstering an existing one with a new material and colour? If you have a sofa with loose covers, this is a simple job, with lots of different options. Alternatively, changing the covers of your cushions to provide a burst of colour can also make a small but noticeable impact.

Remove cabinet doors

Change the look and feel of your room by removing the cabinet doors on any furniture – it will open up the room, change the ambience and it won’t cost you a thing. Spend some time cleaning the interiors and make sure not to have too much clutter on your new, open shelves. Where possible, put your favourite crockery on display!

Let there be light

Lighting sets the mood for your space and the simple addition of some new lighting or a change in lightbulb can add warmth to your interior. Add some warm bulbs for soft lighting, bright bulbs to lighten up those darker corners and introduce some fairy lights to create cosy vibes.

Create an accent wall

Changing the colour of your room can be a big decision – if you’re not sure you want to completely overhaul your interior, an accent wall is a good place to start. It can create a stylish focal point and it can also give you a chance to live with the colour and see if it works on just one wall or whether you’d like to take the next step and paint your whole room with it.

Bring the outside in

A simple yet effective way to change your aesthetic is the introduction of some houseplants. Studies show not only do they reduce stress and improve mood, they also look good. From easy to look after plants like Snake plants to plants that really stand out like a Monstera Deliciosa or a Bird of Paradise, there’s plants to suit all spaces and budgets.

Think texture

If you want to bring warmth into your space, adding layers is a simple yet effective way to do so. That could be through a throw on your sofa, a sheepskin rug on your floor or patterned cushions on your sofa. It could be a change in your curtains or blinds, or you could add a fabric hanging on your wall.

Shop for Bargains

If you do need to purchase some furniture to complete your new look, make sure to do extensive shopping online. As well as regular sales, lots of stores and showrooms have clearance sections with considerable reductions, ensuring you can pick up some real bargains and add some style and panache to your new room.