Decorate on the Cheap: Getting Started (Part One)

Home decorating can quickly break the bank. Furniture and accessories can add up. How do you execute a well-designed space without spending a fortune? How can you make your space look professionally decorated without hiring a decorator and buying all new items?

Use these tips to set the stage for designing your space. Starting with a fresh slate is a great way to craft a space you will love.

Check back next week for more tips to make your space look well-decorated for less!

• Paint is cheap. The most impactful thing that can be done to change a space is to paint the walls a new color. A few gallons of paint have tons of impact and don’t cost much. You can DIY the painting job and save a ton of cash in the process!

• Create an uncluttered slate to build on. Clearing your room of clutter and knick-knacks can be a great way to see your vision. Since most of us can’t afford to completely buy new furniture for a space we’re decorating, start by seeing the space with only the bones, or the furniture, present. By removing everything else to another room (pillows, photos, art, accessories) you can nail the arrangement of your space then build upon it with things you truly love. Don’t be afraid to edit what you own as you bring things back into the space.

• Brainstorm the common denominators. Pinterest can be a black hole when it comes to decorating. Pin away, but then go through and note what you seem to love. Do you love neutral airy spaces with a pop of color from a bright Persian rug? Or do you prefer a room with more wood accents and rich jewel tones? Pin hundreds of options then focus in on what you love and don’t love. Write it down in a couple sentences. This will help you to move forward with decorating.

• Take your time. Slow down. You’ll be decorating your space until the day you move out. There’s no rush. Make your space livable, but take your time and find items you truly love!

• Repaint furniture. We aren’t advocating that you paint the heirloom antiques, but many young people are given hand-me-downs and other items to build their home’s furniture collection. Don’t be afraid to paint wood pieces that don’t work with your home’s feel. A fresh coat of paint can make a dated piece look completely different. Try working with chalk paint to make the process simple without sanding and priming.

• Don’t be afraid to mix and match. It costs a ton of money to buy a matching couch, chair, and loveseat from the big box furniture stores. Have you ever noticed that you don’t see matching sets of furniture in professionally decorated spaces? Mix and match pieces together. Use a pair of chairs with a different couch to create a custom look. This is a great way to use items you already own and add in new pieces that make the room look fresh.

• Balance is your friend. Use balance to make choices about furniture arrangements and other displays. Symmetry is pleasing to the eye, but most of us don’t live in perfectly symmetrical homes. Thinking about balance is the best way to create visual symmetry in spaces.

• It’s free to edit items. It doesn’t cost anything to get rid of items you don’t love. Decluttering may be the key to finally making your space look like what you’ve been envisioning. You may even be able to sell items on sites like Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist! Edit as you go and end up with pieces you truly appreciate.

These tips are a great way to get started on your space. Check back next week for more tips on adding in the pieces that make your space look great for less!

Photo by Terje Sollie via Pexels.com.