5 Tips for Decorating on a Budget

 

 

When it comes to home decor, I struggle with one issue time and time again…expensive taste.

 

If you put 3 things in front of me that all serve the same purpose and look relatively the same, I will almost always pick out the most expensive one without even trying. This trait has been passed down from my mother, who also has the same problem. I guess expensive taste isn’t so much a problem as it is a lack of budget to facilitate this preference. I can’t help it that I’m attracted to higher quality things, but at this time in my life I just can’t go to high-end designer boutiques and decorate to my heart’s content. Though that would be fantastic! I am so grateful to be a stay-at-home mom, and I am happy to do without really expensive things that I don’t even need so I can be with my little one all day. Because in the end, isn’t that all I’m missing out on? Things. Things I can’t take with me when I pass. Things that won’t make me a better mother or wife. Though these “things” may make me happy momentarily, they do not increase my overall happiness.

 

That being said, I still love living in a space that welcomes my family and friends, and a place that feels warm and beautiful. So, I thought I would share a few tips I have used in my life to get me more of the designer look I want on a minimal budget.

 

{Photo courtesy of Pottery Barn}

#1: Invests in neutral basics

When it comes to big pieces of furniture, one thing I have learned is to go neutral and classic. When my husband and I were married, we had some money from the wedding to buy some furniture since neither of us had much to contribute besides a giant bean bag and my bedroom furniture set from my youth. Picking out a sofa was a bit distressing, but I decided to just go with a tan microfiber couch and loveseat in a classic shape for the downstairs, and a velvet tan more contemporary sectional for our upstairs. I’m not going to lie, it’s a lot of tan. But 5 years later I am so glad I went with something that is durable and classic. I will not be able to buy new pieces for a LONG time, and since these pieces are versatile they will go with almost any color scheme I come up with. When you don’t have the money to completely redo your living spaces every few years, you need some pieces that can grow with you.

 

 

 

#2: Don’t be afraid to thrift

I am not the queen of thrifting like so many of you out there, but I have used it here and there to get me the look I want for less. I don’t have the patience to thrift a lot, but when I have something in mind that I can’t afford at full price, that’s when I head to craigslist and the online classifieds. I have found many wonderful things for hundreds less than what I could buy them for new. It’s amazing what you can do with a little paint and primer these days, too! So pick furniture pieces that are solid wood and have a shape you enjoy. Even if they look a little rough on the outside, there are tons of tutorials online about making them beautiful.

 

 

#3: Go for the discount

If one day I do have more money to spend on home decor and furnishings; it’s still going to be almost impossible for me to pay full price for things. You can save so much money by keeping an eye on prices online or using coupon codes. If you sign up for emails from your favorite companies you will often get discount codes sent right to your inbox. I also love discount retail stores. Think Target, Wal-Mart (gasp!), Ross, TJ Maxx and Home Goods. Seriously, almost everything in my house is from one of these stores. One trick with these stores, especially TJ Maxx and Home Goods, is that you have to go OFTEN. And you can’t always go looking for something super specific. Usually I go and let what they have inspire me. You also want to think outside the box. Maybe something you find would look fantastic painted in enamel white spray paint? Or that great platter you found would look beautiful hung above your fireplace? Just see what your eye is attracted to and find a place for it in your home.

 

 

#4: Think quality over quantity

I have talked about this a little already, but you are better off investing a little more on something initially if it means you will get more use out of it in the long run. Look for solid wood furniture instead of composite. Pick fabrics that are washable and durable (if you have kids or pets, that is). Look for quality construction in all items that you buy. I really like feather pillow inserts for all the pillows in my house. I like the way they look, and they hold up really well. But they can be very pricey. All of the feather pillow inserts I have come from discount retailers. I usually just throw away the often unattractive cover they come with, and re-cover them with a fabric of my choice. You can find pillows like these (especially at Ross) for literally $10 a pillow! Inserts usually cost you 3x’s that much.

 

#5: Be patient

As you know, living on a budget means not having the means to get exactly what you want when you want it. But most the time I have found  if I am patient and wait to find what I am really looking for, I eventually do. And this applies to all areas of home decor. Don’t settle on something you don’t really love because you can’t find what you really want. Wait it out, and eventually you will find just the right piece.

 

Even without lots of money, you can still create a beautiful space for you and your loved ones. It isn’t about how much you can spend, but what you can do with what you have!

 

 

 Whitney graduated from the University of Utah in

Health and Promotion.

Learn more about Whitney HERE.

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