5 Money-Saving Tips to Design Your Home on a Budget

Other than buying a house, your next most expensive endeavour could be decorating it.

For one, furnishings do not come in cheap. You also have to pay your contractors, especially when you are remodeling your bathroom or bedroom.

That said, we have listed down x budget-friendly tips that you can do to decorate your home:

1. Declutter

Before you remodel or renovate your home, you must declutter first.

For one, removing clutter does not cost a dime. Second, it gives you an insight into how you are utilizing your space and what you can do to optimize it. Moreover, you can earn from it.

When you declutter, group your belongings into items that you can throw away, you can donate, and you can sell. Once you categorize them, start selling your “to sell” items online so you can earn as soon as possible.

You can use your earnings to fund your interior design project.

2. Repaint Your Wall

If you are strapped for cash, repainting your walls is the most cost-effective DIY project that you can pull off. That’s because paints are inexpensive, yet they can make a ton of difference to the space.

However, repainting your walls is not as easy as picking your favorite color.

First, it is essential to know what kind of paint you will need. If you want to be an interior designer, this is one of the things you need to learn.

The popular paint option is latex paint. That’s because it is easy to clean and long-lasting. It is also fade-resistant, making it ideal for painting walls.

But if you are looking to paint wooden crown moldings, go for oil-based primers instead.

For one, it can seal wood stains and knots better than latex paint. The only drawback is that it needs more drying time. But once it is dry, you can use latex paint as a topcoat.

3. Shop at Second-hand Stores

If you want to save money on furnishings, consider thrift shopping. Some homeowners can find statement pieces that work well with their design theme in flea markets or online.

You can do the same by following these tips:

• Have a budget. You may be looking for the most affordable furniture that you can find, but that does not mean they are dirt cheap. So, it would be best to dedicate a budget for your thrift shopping.
• Find the right market. Sure, you can find superb pieces anywhere, but it would be best to go where the good pickings are. An excellent example would be thrift stores in the upscale area.
• Know your style. Just because a piece of furniture look does not mean you should buy it. It is vital to ask yourself whether it suits the design theme you are aiming for. 
• Let your creativity play. For instance, you find a suitable piece, but it is a different color. You can still buy it and opt to repaint it to suit your theme.
• Never compromise your health. We are not just talking about adhering to COVID-19 safety protocols. We are also talking about buying items that may put your health at risk.

The key to thrift shopping to look for pieces that are useful, safe, and can suit your home’s design theme.

4. Repurpose What You Have

Another excellent idea to save money in home decorating is to repurpose what you have.

An excellent idea would be turning an old shirt into a throw pillowcase. Some even use an old shirt to build a house for their pet cats.

Do you have an old one-seater sofa? Perhaps you can replace the foam and reupholster it to make it look brand new.

If you have an empty nook, you can turn it into a dedicated workspace. All it needs is a fresh coat of paint or wallpaper, and then you can set up your office table and chair without hassle.

5. Be Resourceful

When you have a limited budget, you want to find ways where you can cost cut. It does not matter whether it is in materials or labor. That said, you have to consider your options.

If you have woodwork skills, perhaps you can DIY some of your furnishings. Otherwise, you can consider hiring a friend or a neighbor who is good with woodworking.

Some homeowners would even buy the materials themselves and rent the equipment to cut down on costs.

Another option would be to repurpose and upcycle what you already have. That way, you do not have to spend much on new pieces of furniture. It also allows you to showcase your creativity.

Just because you want to give your house a fresh look, it does not mean you have to shell out thousands of money. You can do many ways to lower down the cost while giving your house a fresh look.

Do you have other budget-friendly home design ideas? Please share them in the comments!