Tips for Decorating on a Budget

Tip #1: See the Big Picture

You have to start with a game plan and some inspiration. Figure out what you want out of the space, how you want it to function, and what you want it to end up looking and feeling like. Pick a color scheme that you love and stick with it. If you want some ideas on some great color schemes, check out my board on Pinterest dedicated to color inspiration. Once you have figured out all of these details, you can start to get to work. This game plan will help you identify pieces that will work for you and your space, and give you the ability to mix and match without creating a space that is all over the place. You will be able to decide where you want to splurge and where you want to save, and in the end, you will have been smarter about your purchases and love your new space even more.

Tip #2:  Be open to Ikea

A lot of people think if they buy inexpensive pieces from stores like Ikea or Target, their space will look cheap. I’m here to tell you that, when done right, Ikea can look like a million bucks. Okay, maybe not a million, but some of their pieces can be dressed up very nicely. People judge furniture based off the overall picture, so if the rooms looks pulled together and chic, they will assume everything in the room was expensive. When I worked in a high end retail store, we had the Docksta Table from Ikea on the floor being used a display table. Because everything in the store was high end, customers assumed the table was also. I can’t tell you how many customers wanted to buy that table and were always shocked to find out it was from Ikea.

Tip #3: Spend more on the little things

Accessories are the jewelry of your space. You can wear a plain black dress or jeans and a t-shirt, add some great accessories, and your outfit takes on a whole new personality. Interiors react the same way to a few great details. Adding a great lamp or some eye catching throw pillows will fool the eye into believing everything in the space is high end. The detailing that you find in a more expensive lamp or mirror helps detract attention on the pieces in the space that lack that craftsmanship. When you mix and match high end products with affordable finds, you begin to see the space as one whole picture.

Tip #4: Warm up the Walls

One of the most important features in a space is wall art, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot to make a big impact. Mix family photos with ready made prints and a great mirror, and the space will look unique, collected and pulled together. For great inexpensive artwork, ZGallerie.com is one of my favorite stores, and if you’re looking to save on a great mirror, try Kirklands.com. While they don’t always have what I am looking for, occasionally that have great mirrors for unbeatable prices. If you have nice frames laying around at the house (or you can also pick up some very inexpensive frames from thrift stores), try framing pages from a coffee table book. Once you have a nice frame and mat board, nobody will ever guess where the art originated. One framing tip: Always use a mat board when framing prints. It makes all the difference.

Photo Credit: Young House Love

Tip #5: Use what You’ve Got

I know its been said time and time again, but using what you already have is the best way to save money. Try moving pieces to different rooms for a new feel, reorganize books and accessories. There are some easy ways to update for existing furniture, even if you want to avoid making any permanent changes. Changing knobs on a chest or adding patterned tiles to the back of a cabinet will add a lot of pop to the piece that can always be changed back later on. If you are up for the challenge of painting of piece of furniture, pick a bold color. One bright and bold piece of furniture in your room is a great way to create a statement, but make sure you repeat that color in small ways throughout the rest of the space in pillows, accessories or wall art.

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Hope this helps you get that space you’ve always want but never thought was within reach. If you want more help on your space, please contact me here!