Inside: 10 fantastic ideas to create a unique and beautiful home on a VERY small budget!
Does decorating on a budget make your mind whirl? I mean… who really wants to be budget decorating?
Money, money, money. We can’t get enough and we never, ever have enough. And how do you even decorate when you’re just trying to keep the lights on? amiright?
Let me tell you, I’ve been there… I am pretty much still there.
It’s so hard to justify spending money on things like lights and decorating walls and knick-knacks when you’re struggling to put food on the table and pay for those boys that love scouting and swimming and reading and wearing clothes.
All the while, I sit here and just want to surround myself with beauty. I’m here all day and I want my home to sing to me.
So, how do you do any budget home decorating when you literally have almost no money?
How?
Well, I don’t have all the answers, but here are a few things I’ve done and tips to help you create a beautiful and meaningful home.
How to Decorate on a Really Tight Budget
Below, you’ll find actual projects that I have done over the years to make my home unique and beautiful… on a budget!
1. Use paper.
Paper is one of the cheapest things you can use! I made the giant wreath in my den out of copy paper and this gorgeous heart wreath out of coffee filters. I also made this Fun Garland out of Tissue Paper. Did you know you can get metallic tissue paper, too? It’s breath-taking!
2. Draw on the walls instead of buying expensive wallpapers.
The day I realized I could use Crayola Dry Erase Bright Crayons to draw on the wall was a day I’ll never forget. It took one whole white crayon to stencil these two walls. That was about four years ago and it’s still as beautiful as the day I did it.
And yes, it washes off. I tried it about a year after I did it and it came off just fine.
Then I got really bold and used a Gold Sharpie Paint Pen on the walls in my Office to create these Gold Geometric Walls. It took 2 pens to decorate above the board and batten. I think that cost me about $8 total. What a bargain! If I’d tried to price wallpaper to cover that area, it would have been way out of my budget.
3. Be patient and wait for sales.
This might go without saying, but I can’t tell you how much I’ve saved by just being patient. I always wait for the sales at Sherwin Williams before I paint. They have them about twice a year usually between 30-40% off. That saves a ton of money. TONS!
I painted my entire family room and kitchen with their Moody Blue paint and it cost me so much less because I waited for the sale. Cha-ching! And if you use this little gem, it’ll take a bulk of the pain out of the job! I mean, magnetic brush holder? Brillz, baby.
Tip #3 1/2
Use your craft store coupons. Did you know that Michael’s takes coupons from your Smart Phone? Yes. So if you forget one at home and your at the store, check the weekly ad! I have it bookmarked on my phone for quick reference.
4. Make your own wall art.
Have you priced wall art these days? Even if you go to TJ Max or Marshall’s, it’s still going to cost you $40-50! So, just make your own.
I made this DIY Pixel art for less than $20 and this Geometric Heart Wall Art for even less. All it takes is a few supplies, but mostly just some time.
5. Thrift it.
Scour the thrift stores, but be smart! Our Goodwill has caught on and they’ve really increased their prices on furniture.
Also, check and see if your local area has a Facebook Yard Sale Group. I’ve found two awesome pieces of furniture for a song… as in FREE. They just needed to get rid of the stuff. I scored this awesome mid-century dresser that I painted with chalk paint {total $30 just for chalk paint} and this AMAZING Mid-Century desk {which I painted with leftover paint from my Stenciled Stripes Wall and some chalkboard paint a friend gave me: ZERO DOLLARS!} .
6. Grift it.
Huh? What does that mean? Grifting mean getting it as a gift! (at least that’s how I mean it here)
This Sunburst Console? Grifted.
The columns for this Reclaimed Column Buffet? Grifted.
If you are looking for something in particular, don’t be afraid to put the word out. Your family and friends who know you’re on a tight budget are usually willing to help, especially if it mean they can lighten their load at the same time!
7. Repurpose it.
When you’re roaming around the thrift store or the ReStore, think outside the box. These vintage drawers I found for ONE FREAKING DOLLAR became some much needed Rolling Under-bed storage. You have to go see the before… what a huge difference!
They are super cute and purposeful, which is doing the double duty of decorating and storing. Bonus.
I had one left over and it became a shelf in our bathroom. There is no end to what you can come up with if you just squeeze your brain a bit.
8. Use plywood.
Using plywood is a great way to save money. It’s relatively inexpensive and you can have the store cut it for you if you don’t have the tools at home.
You can even ask friends for their scraps. Free is always better.
I’ve used plywood for my DIY Colorcord Light Pendant, Shazam String Art and this Geometric Heart Wall Art. They are all fun pieces that cost next to nothing to make because I opted for the natural look of plywood.
9. Make small inexpensive things for little touches.
Decorating doesn’t have to be full on in your face. Sometimes, it’s the little details that make it look finished and add a bit of fun!
These little glitter heart magnets were super cheap and make me smile when I look over to my little locker console. You can practically glitter anything and make it sing… like pencils or thrifted wooden holders.
10. Frame Free Printables
Free is always, always good! And if you don’t have time to make your own wall art, then free printables are the way to go. Just find some very cheap frames {Ikea Ribba are my fav!} and go to town.
I have a ton of free printables… like this Gold Foil Triptic using Gold Foil Geometric Heart, Love Always, Always Wins and Climb Every Mountain. Put together, these three printables make such a beautiful mini-gallery! And it cost me next to nothing.
So, how do you feel now?
I hope these ideas for decorating on the cheap have helped mute the feeling of overwhelm you might be having. And remember, you don’t have to do it all at once, just pick a room and start slowly. It will evolve over time and that’s how it should be.
You can create a beautiful home on practically nothing as long as you are patient and resourceful.
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