Investing in professional interior design might feel elite and exclusive, but in reality, there are many ways to begin decorating on a budget. By incorporating inexpensive home decor ideas into your interior design strategy, you can greatly impact any room, even with a small budget.
Discover some practical ways to utilize innovative, creative, and resourceful interior design techniques (as well as how to make your home look expensive on a budget).
Declutter and Reorganize
Before you can achieve a fresh and renewed look for any interior space, make sure that you are working only with the design and decor elements you need. Decluttering and organization are critical to the success of DIY home projects because they allow you to minimize distraction as you create a new design plan for the room.
The Power of Minimalism
A minimalist approach to interior design is one of the most effective strategies, especially when you are focused on low-cost interior design ideas. Reducing clutter in the space and eliminating unwanted or unnecessary can help clear your mind and reduce the stress surrounding the project. DIY interior design can be overwhelming at times, but decluttering can help eliminate some frustration. A few tips for decluttering any room include:
- Begin by reorganizing small areas of the room, like a storage shelf or desk.
- Focus on keeping flat surfaces clear of excessive items, including decor.
- Carve out the time you need to complete the entire task; it can be hard to take a break and then resume the process of reorganizing the room.
Repurposing Existing Furniture
Repurposing old furniture can help breathe fresh life into any room — while still allowing you to stay within your budget. While the loveseat in the living room may be dated in its design, if used in a different room or with a stylish throw blanket over it, it likely still has plenty of life left in it. You might also be able to use an old coffee table as a station for your plants or transform an old twin-size mattress into a daybed.
By upcycling furniture, you could improve the look and appearance of the room without investing in brand-new furniture. Not to mention, it’s a sustainable choice that allows you to reduce your ecological footprint as you redesign your room.
Affordable Paint and Wall Treatments
Whether you are looking into affordable kitchen updates or renovating a bathroom on a budget, the wall decor plays a significant role in the look and feel of the room. From fresh paint to new wallpaper, there are numerous options to consider for wall treatments while redecorating on a budget.
The Impact of a Fresh Coat of Paint
A fresh coat of paint can liven up any room. This may entail choosing a bright and airy new hue or simply refreshing the existing color on the wall, but at any rate, fresh paint is the first step toward revitalizing any interior space. According to Homes & Gardens magazine, the paint colors and tones that are currently trending include:
- Warm neutral tones, such as rich browns and buttery yellows.
- Pale blue colors add a sense of peace and serenity to any space.
- Pale green tones breathe life into the room and connect the interior space with the outdoors.
Accent Walls and Wall Decals
If you aren’t able to include fresh paint as part of the redesign budget, you may find that creating an accent wall is an excellent way to make a statement without breaking the bank. According to Architectural Digest, accent walls are trendy and perfect for areas where you may be entertaining guests (such as a formal living room, an office or a dining room). Create an accent wall by:
- Investing in affordable wall art and creating a gallery wall.
- Using a mural to incorporate art into your interior design plan.
- Using board and batten to add depth and dimension to the room.
- Applying wallpaper to add a sense of warmth and comfort to the space.
Low-Cost Lighting Solutions
If you have limited resources available, focusing on updating the light fixtures in the room is one of the most practical and effective inexpensive design ideas. New or upgraded light fixtures can transform the look and feel of the room, allowing you to have a big impact with minimal changes.
According to The Atlanta Journal Constitution, these are a few of the low-cost lighting solutions to consider for budget-friendly room makeovers:
Upgrading Light Fixtures
Light fixtures are a surprisingly significant piece of a room’s appearance, and an outdated light fixture can have a detrimental impact on your interior design strategy. By upgrading and improving the light fixtures that are currently installed in the room, you can avoid the hefty costs associated with new lighting while still giving the room an elevated look. Sometimes, a simple switch — such as investing in sconce or globe lighting — can transform the feel of the room.
Adding Lamps and String Lights
Rather than relying heavily on the harsh, bright overhead lights located in most major rooms in the house, purchase affordable lamps and string lights that help cultivate a sense of warmth and comfort in the space. Lamps and string lights are popular thrift store decor items, offering unique and innovative pieces for a fraction of the cost of the new items on display at popular retail stores.
DIY Décor and Accessories
To reduce the overall cost of your interior design plan, opt for DIY home decor and accessories. The decor and accessories that you incorporate into the room design ultimately pull together all the elements of the plan, but purchasing brand-new, high-end decor can add a substantial amount to your total renovation costs.
Create Your Own Artwork
No matter if you are redesigning your office at work or focused on updating your bedroom, creating your own artwork to display in these spaces adds a personal, unique touch. You can begin decorating on a budget by:
- Painting a canvas to display as the focal point in the room.
- Completing a cross-stitch or embroidery project and framing it on the wall.
- Creating your own pottery or ceramics for accent pieces on end tables or desks.
- Sketching out a drawing using colored pencils and framing it to display for your friends, family members, or coworkers.
Thrift Store Finds and Vintage Pieces
As you browse the big box stores for home decor items, you may begin to feel like everything looks bland or nothing stands out. To create a space that feels uniquely yours, you can opt to shop at thrift stores for affordable wall art and other vintage pieces. Thrift stores are a treasure trove, allowing you to hunt and search for the perfect accents for your room. The end result oftentimes will effortlessly blend modern interior design trends with the richness of the past.
Budget-Friendly Furniture Updates
Serving as the focal point in any room, furniture plays a pivotal part in any interior design plan. However, renovating a room does not necessarily require you to purchase brand-new furniture. There are several budget-friendly furniture updates to consider before you head to the showroom.
Refurbishing and Refinishing
Refurbishing old furniture is an effective way to enhance the appearance of your room while still sticking within the confines of your budget. According to the Habitat for Humanity ReStore, you can refurbish or refinish furniture by:
- First, identifying the material that the furniture made of.
- Confirming that the furniture can be fixed or repaired prior to refurbishing.
- Cleaning it thoroughly.
- Reupholstering the fabric.
- Staining any wood elements.
Smart Shopping for Affordable Furniture
If you are in a place where you need to replace furniture, consider a couple of smart shopping tips to save money:
- Go to thrift stores and vintage markets for used furniture that can be reupholstered or refinished.
- Search social media marketplace listings for affordable furniture options near you.
Transform With Textiles
Textile accents can help complete the look of your room. Some textile accents to consider include:
New Throw Pillows and Blankets
Fresh throw pillows on an old couch can give the space an entirely new look. Updating your throw pillows and blankets can allow you to pull in new colors and patterns while also adding touches of comfort to the space.
Affordable Rugs and Curtains
Rugs and curtains are central to any DIY interior design plan. Choosing affordable rugs and curtains that offer a timeless appeal will ensure that you may use these pieces in the years to come.
Incorporating Nature
Organic design elements allow interior designers to bring the outdoors into the interior space, ultimately creating serene and peaceful spaces where anyone can feel rested and refreshed.
Add Indoor Plants
According to the research published in the American Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture, indoor plants are the ideal decorative accent for any interior design plan. Not only do the plants add natural beauty to the room, but they also help purify the air, reduce stress, and boost moods — making them a practical addition to any space.
DIY Natural Décor
Beyond plants, you could create DIY natural decor by:
- Displaying your rock, crystal, or geode collection in a creative way.
- Creating wreaths and floral displays from dried plants and flowers.
- Designing your own tree branch art.
Learn the Art of Budget-Friendly Home Design at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
Interior design professionals have the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients, and knowing how to decorate on a budget benefits interior designers throughout their careers. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree as well as an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design degree program, both of which are anchored by a rigorous curriculum that allows aspiring professionals to learn how to have a big impact with their interior design strategy. Request more information about our fine arts degree programs today.
