18 Decor Ideas That Don’t Cost Much
Looking to refresh your living space without emptying your wallet? Small changes can make a huge difference in how your home feels.
I’ve gathered 18 budget-friendly decor ideas that will transform your space from drab to fab without costing a fortune. These simple tweaks will help you fall in love with your home all over again!
1. Rearrange Your Furniture
Moving your furniture around costs absolutely nothing but can completely transform how a room feels. I recently pushed my sofa to face the window instead of the TV, and suddenly my living room felt twice as spacious.
Try creating conversation areas by angling chairs toward each other or pulling furniture away from walls. Even swapping pieces between rooms can make both spaces feel fresh and new.
If you’re stuck for ideas, snap a photo of your room and flip it horizontally – this trick helps you see your space with fresh eyes and spot new arrangement possibilities you might have missed.
2. Display Fresh Flowers or Greenery
Bringing nature indoors instantly brightens any space. You don’t need expensive bouquets – a few stems from your garden or even wildflowers picked during a walk can make charming arrangements.
No garden? Grocery store flowers work wonderfully when separated into smaller bunches placed throughout your home. Even a single bloom in a small vase makes a lovely accent.
For a longer-lasting option, forage for interesting branches, pine cones, or pretty leaves. These natural elements add texture and warmth to your decor without costing more than the time it takes to collect them.
3. Hang a Gallery Wall with Personal Photos
Those digital photos languishing on your phone deserve to be seen! Print your favorites at home or use budget printing services, then arrange them in a gallery wall using frames you already own or inexpensive ones from dollar stores.
Mix and match frame styles for an eclectic look, or paint mismatched frames the same color for a cohesive display. Black and white prints work especially well for a unified, sophisticated appearance even with varied frame styles.
Don’t stress about perfect alignment – trace your frames on paper, cut them out, and tape these templates to the wall first to experiment with arrangements before hammering any nails.
4. Use Decorative Throw Pillows
Throw pillows offer instant color and personality to beds, sofas, and chairs. Instead of buying new ones, try recovering existing pillows with fabric remnants, tea towels, or even pretty scarves.
No sewing machine? No problem! Fabric glue or iron-on hem tape works for simple pillow covers. You can also wrap pillows “gift-style” with fabric and secure with decorative pins for a no-sew option that’s easily changed.
Rotating seasonal pillow covers gives you fresh decor throughout the year without requiring storage space for multiple pillows. This approach lets you experiment with bold patterns or trendy colors without major investment.
5. Add a Cozy Throw Blanket
A throw blanket instantly adds warmth, color, and texture to any room. Drape it casually over an armchair corner or fold it neatly at the foot of your bed for an effortless style upgrade.
Check thrift stores for unique finds even if the color isn’t perfect, natural fiber blankets can often be dyed for a custom look. Seasonal clearance sales are another great source for quality throws at bargain prices.
If you’re crafty, making a simple fleece blanket requires minimal sewing skills. You could even repurpose a beloved but worn garment, like a sweater or flannel shirt, into a meaningful throw with some basic alterations.
6. Style Your Bookshelves Creatively
Bookshelves aren’t just for books – they’re prime real estate for showcasing your personality! Start by removing everything and grouping books by size or color for visual impact.
Mix horizontal and vertical stacking to create interest, then incorporate small mementos or found objects between groupings. A pretty rock from a beach trip or a child’s art project becomes meaningful decor when thoughtfully displayed.
Turn some hardcovers face-out to show off beautiful covers, and leave some empty space too – crowded shelves look cluttered rather than curated. Remember to dust your newly styled shelves regularly to keep everything looking fresh.
7. Swap Out Lampshades
Changing a lampshade transforms a lamp completely – it’s like getting new lighting without the price tag! Thrift stores often have lamps with perfectly good bases but outdated shades that can be easily replaced.
Measure your existing shade’s dimensions before shopping to ensure a proper fit. Even inexpensive plain shades can be customized with ribbon trim, fabric scraps, or decorative paper for a one-of-a-kind look.
If your shade is the right shape but wrong color, try painting it with fabric paint or spray paint designed for fabric. This works especially well for giving new life to yellowed white shades that still have good structure.
8. Create DIY Wall Art
Store-bought art can be expensive, but making your own is surprisingly simple! Stretch fabric over canvas frames, frame pretty gift wrap, or create abstract paintings using colors that complement your space.
Children’s artwork looks surprisingly sophisticated when matted and framed properly. Try grouping several pieces together for greater impact, or scan and enlarge a favorite drawing for a statement piece.
Another option is to download free printable art online – many artists offer beautiful designs you can print at home or have printed inexpensively at copy shops. Just add an affordable frame, and you’ve got gallery-worthy wall decor for a fraction of gallery prices.
9. Incorporate Candles for Warmth
Few things create ambiance like the soft glow of candlelight. Group candles of varying heights on a tray for an instant centerpiece, or line them along a mantel for elegant simplicity.
Plain pillar candles become special when wrapped with bark, twine, or decorative paper. Even inexpensive tea lights look magical when placed in jars filled with coffee beans, small stones, or colored sand plus these materials help stabilize the candles.
If fire safety is a concern, flameless LED candles provide similar warmth without worry. Look for ones with timers that automatically turn on each evening, creating nightly ambiance without any effort.
10. Use Baskets for Stylish Storage
Baskets are the unsung heroes of home organization – they hide clutter while adding natural texture to your decor. Check thrift stores and yard sales where baskets often sell for dollars instead of the $20+ they command new.
Place a large basket beside the sofa for blankets and magazines, use matching smaller ones on shelves for remote controls or craft supplies, or hang a flat basket on the wall as textural art. Mismatched baskets gain cohesion when painted or stained similar colors.
Don’t overlook unusual containers that can serve as “baskets” – vintage suitcases, wooden crates, or even pretty cardboard boxes covered with contact paper make stylish, budget-friendly storage solutions.
11. Frame Wrapping Paper or Fabric as Art
Beautiful wrapping paper or fabric makes stunning wall art when framed! This trick works especially well with botanical prints, geometric patterns, or vintage-inspired designs that mimic expensive art at a fraction of the cost.
For larger pieces, use poster frames or even paint wooden trim to create custom frames for fabric stretched over cardboard or foam core. The key is choosing materials with colors that complement your existing decor.
Want to take it further? Cut coordinating papers or fabrics to fit several frames and hang them as a collection. This approach creates a cohesive gallery wall that looks intentional and designer-inspired, not like the budget-friendly hack it actually is.
12. Change Cabinet Knobs or Handles
Cabinet hardware is like jewelry for your furniture – small but mighty in visual impact! Replacing dated knobs or pulls instantly modernizes kitchens, bathrooms, and dressers without major renovation costs.
Hardware stores offer many affordable options, but don’t overlook creative alternatives. Vintage silverware handles, colorful ceramic knobs from import stores, or even leather pulls made from old belts can add unique character to basic furniture.
Keep the existing screw holes in mind when shopping – it’s easiest to choose new hardware that fits the same configuration. If you’re renting, save the original hardware to reinstall when you move, taking your custom knobs to personalize your next home.
13. Add a New Doormat
First impressions matter, and your doormat is often the first thing visitors notice! A fresh, clean mat instantly boosts curb appeal and sets the tone for your home’s style.
Plain coir mats from home improvement stores can be customized with paint and stencils for a personalized touch. Try geometric patterns, your house number, or a welcoming phrase that reflects your personality.
For indoor entryways, layering is key – place a patterned flat-weave rug under a smaller functional mat for a designer look that’s also practical for catching dirt and moisture. This approach lets you incorporate color and pattern while still maintaining the mat’s primary purpose.
14. Layer Rugs for Texture
Layering rugs adds instant designer flair while solving common decorating dilemmas. Have a beautiful but too-small rug? Layer it over an inexpensive larger jute or sisal rug to create the right scale for your room.
This technique works wonderfully with vintage or secondhand rugs that might have worn spots or be oddly sized. The layered look adds texture and visual interest while hiding imperfections in either rug.
For maximum impact with minimal investment, try placing a colorful runner diagonally across a neutral base rug, or layer a small sheepskin over a flat-weave rug beside a bed or reading chair. The contrast in textures makes both pieces look more luxurious.
15. Hang Mirrors to Expand Space
Mirrors are magical in their ability to make spaces feel larger and brighter by reflecting light and views. Thrift stores and yard sales often yield mirror treasures at bargain prices – even if the frame is dated, it can be easily painted.
Positioning matters more than size or style. Place mirrors across from windows to maximize natural light, at the end of hallways to create depth, or in dining areas to reflect candlelight during meals.
For a dramatic statement wall, collect several smaller mirrors in varied shapes and arrange them in a pleasing pattern. This creates the impact of a large mirror but often at lower cost, plus it’s easier to transport and hang smaller pieces than one massive mirror.
16. Decorate with Bowls of Fruit
A bowl of fresh fruit is both decorative and practical – nature’s perfect ornament! Arrange colorful fruits in a favorite bowl for an instant centerpiece that changes with the seasons and your grocery shopping.
The container matters as much as the contents. Try wooden bowls for rustic charm, glass for modern spaces, or ceramic for traditional rooms. Even everyday fruits look special when thoughtfully arranged by color or size.
Beyond the typical bowl, consider unexpected containers like a cake stand, tiered organizer, or hanging basket to display fruit. For longer-lasting decor, mix in some artificial fruits with real ones – the realistic fakes maintain the arrangement while you consume the edible portions.
17. Display a Collection of Objects
Collections tell your story and personalize your space like nothing else can. Whether vintage bottles, seashells from vacations, or colorful pottery, grouping similar items creates visual impact from ordinary objects.
The secret to keeping collections from looking like clutter is thoughtful arrangement and editing. Choose the best examples to display rather than showing everything, and group items by color, size, or theme for a cohesive look.
Unexpected collections often make the most interesting displays – old cameras, wooden spools, antique keys, or even pretty rocks gathered on walks. These meaningful groupings become conversation starters while adding character to your home without requiring special shopping trips.
18. Refresh with Scented Oils or Diffusers
How your home smells significantly impacts how it feels – fragrance is the invisible element of decor! Essential oil diffusers create ambiance while offering health benefits, and many affordable models double as decorative objects.
DIY reed diffusers cost just a few dollars to make using bamboo skewers, a pretty bottle, and carrier oil mixed with essential oils or even fragrance from nearly-empty perfume bottles. Place these in bathrooms, entryways, or bedrooms for subtle, continuous scent.
Simmer pots offer another budget option – just add citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, or herbs to water on low heat. This method costs pennies, fills your home with natural fragrance, and adds humidity during dry winter months.
