Once the holidays come and go and the decorations are put away, you might look around your space and decide it’s time to redecorate. But redoing even one room, let alone a whole house, is an expensive undertaking. Rather than going into debt to redecorate, we have some better ideas (and some of them don’t cost a thing). Take a look at these low-cost ways to redecorate.
Decide on a Style
Spend some time looking at home magazines or online for design inspiration. Are you in the mood to move toward a more minimalist look? Maybe you’re thinking of adding more color to your space. Or perhaps you’re just tired of seeing the same things in the same place every day. No matter what you decide, once you know the look you’re going for, you can formulate a plan to turn it into reality.
Pick the Perfect Paint
Having your whole house painted is expensive and time-consuming. But that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of the transformative powers of paint. Even painting a single wall in a bold color can completely change the look of a room. Not sure you have the skills to do a whole wall? Paint the trim, baseboards or an interior door. Really, adding an unexpected splash of color anywhere in a room can be enough to make a difference.
Make the Most of Mirrors
Mirrors aren’t just for checking your reflection. They also have room-transforming powers by reflecting light, creating the look of a window where there isn’t one, and making rooms appear larger. Depending on the size of the room and the look you’re going for, you can achieve dramatic results with smaller framed mirrors or mirrored wall tiles. For larger rooms, a bigger framed mirror can become an interesting focal point. Rather than hanging it—which can be costly and complicated— simply rest it against the wall. [Unless you have pets or children that you need to worry about]
Rethink. Rearrange. Repurpose.
There’s a good chance you already have most of what you need to redecorate. You just need to start looking at things differently. Get creative with your current furniture and room décor and start mixing, matching and moving. For example, take the throw pillows from your bed and move them to the couch (and vice versa). That end table you’re tired of? Try moving it into your bedroom as a nightstand. Sick of the upholstery on your comfy chair? Conceal it with a slipcover or a cozy throw blanket.
If you’re struggling to see the potential changes, invite a friend over to help you come up with some new ideas. An objective eye can make all the difference. Repurposing what you already own is one of our favorite low-cost ways to redecorate.
Choose Furniture for Form and Function
When you do decide to buy a new piece of furniture, make it count. Look for pieces that serve more than one purpose, such as an ottoman with added storage, a couch or armchair that folds out into a bed, or a drop-leaf dining table. And don’t feel like you have to shop at furniture stores. You’ll often find better deals at warehouse clubs and big box stores. Or, if you have the time and talent to do some DIY rehab, you can find some great pieces at thrift stores and yard sales. Check out these other ways to save money when buying furniture.
Ready to freshen up your home’s exterior? Try these easy, affordable curb appeal projects.