How can I re-design or decorate my interior space without any major constructional changes and without spending too much money? How can I decorate on a budget?

What should I do first?

How should I use my resources?

Is it plausible to decorate on a budget?

Is a beautifully decorated home on a tight budget even slightly possible?

 

 

 

 

 

 

Small budget interior decorating doesn’t have to be daunting or depressing. How can you get solutions for your interior problems and frustration? By starting to ask the right questions. The ones at the top are a good start, so kudos to you for starting to ask questions. It means you are looking for solutions, and you will certainly find it!

Everyone has a budget. Even people who are very wealthy need to think and carefully plan how they spend their money. That is to say, a tight budget can have numerous different interpretations and restrictions for everyone. The point here is to work with a plan for decorating on a budget and stretch expenses or investments for future expenses, over a period.

I don’t think there are only one correct way and a certain order in which you should tackle your project. However, a general rule of thumb is to start with the bigger, more expensive things first. But this can be different for everyone. Firstly, you need to assess your situation, and everyone’s is different.

Not that I imply in any way that you are a snake, but sticking to these three S’s will surely help you: swap, springs and space. They are super savvy contemplations when you decorate on a budget.

 

Swap

Sorry, but sometimes you will have to swap that piece of furniture you have been eyeing for months with another option. But you won’t be too sad for too long. Meanwhile, in the greater scheme of things, the less expensive substitution can look fantastic when used in a smart way.

Find the absolute best quality furniture/items you can afford which will most effectively fulfil your requirements of design and function. Most importantly, you don’t need to sacrifice sexy style and decent design when putting together furnishings. Use your judgement (with a decorator’s eye) when selecting items – the whole can still be a pleasant-looking result. In this case, Swap can also mean swapping items from different rooms in your house.

Springs

In other words, home furnishings sources. These should be considered carefully so you can find your most suitable low-budget décor. You will probably need to supplement your usual preferred providers with other sources. Research low budget décor ideas before making final purchase decisions. Notably, sourcing low-cost materials without compromising your standard of style, design, quality and function, is possible.

Space

Space = luxury. You are lucky to have it, but you are most certainly not unlucky if you don’t. That is to say, it only means you must utilise what you have in a smarter, more inventive way. There are many space saving tweaks you can try without having to spoil the comfort and look of a room. For instance, two obvious tricks are to use smaller proportioned furniture and lighter colours. But more on this in the space-savvy-post.

Create your own

 

“Decorate on a Budget Interior Decorating Plan”

 

Bear in mind the Super Savvy S’s when scrutinising the following aspects:

 

If you haven’t already, set up a medium-term plan and budget. Everything doesn’t have to be done at once. It is smart to have a general idea you are working towards but be flexible within a framework.

Thoughtfully consider the room/space/area you are dealing with. Screen your home or the room and see what you can keep, re-use, dust off or jazz up. In other words, perhaps a piece of furniture you wanted to throw out can just be moved around or painted. Consider switching around furniture or other decorative items between rooms. Is there an item or architectural feature that can make a statement when emphasized in a different way?

Do you have a colour scheme in mind? This can be altered through the process, but it is helpful to have a general idea you are working towards. To clarify, be flexible within a framework. An area rug or piece of art can be a good starting point of inspiration. Furthermore, either of these can set the tone for the right textures and patterns. Browse around in the meantime, but you don’t have to make a purchase yet.

How is the flooring? It is a good idea to have the same flooring throughout a whole living area, especially in a smaller space (even if it is not open plan). Perhaps it is not necessary to replace current flooring, or it is more of a long-term plan for you. For instance, if you want to make a space homier and warmer, placing rugs and runners in different sizes is a less expensive option Moreover, it can be used to slightly cover or hide a floor you’re not that fond of.

 

 

What else do you need to consider when you decorate on a budget?

 

Do the walls need a makeover? Fresh paint can, for instance, make a big difference. Light, neutral colours like off-white or grey with an undertone fitting your colour scheme, is usually a safe go. Fill up holes and keep future artwork, along with where you might place it, in mind. Consider wallpaper or darker/bolder colour on one, perhaps smaller, accent wall. The accent wall can also be left until after all other purchases/repairs were made, just to make sure you make the right decision.

Prioritise, for example, decide what furniture really needs replacement. Above all, do your homework properly before buying. While you would definitely want to stick with a certain style, it does keep things interesting when not all furniture in a room is purchased from the same supplier

 

Clear the clutter. In other words, throw out junk or old items you really don’t know how to jazz up. Perhaps someone else can find a good use for it, or it can be recycled. If you need the motivation to declutter, just consider this: if you can see the raw space, you will realise its wonderful potential. Besides, you can be more inspired to make improvements and be creative once you have a cleaner canvas and more space to think.

 

 

Need more inspiration to decorate smartly on a budget?

Once you are organised and started buying the larger furniture, look around (but try not to make any purchases yet) for smaller, less expensive items like side tables, cushions, wall art, storage shelves etc. Keep in mind the mix of textures, patterns and colours. You need some contrast to create interest, but the whole needs to be tied together with some repetition which will create rhythm.

It might be best to purchase an area rug (or more than one rug & runners) and after that, you can check out smaller, less expensive, soft furnishings and other décor. Be careful not to use too many patterns and be smart with application in terms of the amount and allotment thereof. With softer, lighter, pastel colours a bigger variety of patterns can be mixed to be easier on the eye (depending on what style you are aiming for). For instance, one can even use different checked patterns, but not place them too close to each other but rather on opposite sides of a room.

Wallpaper or another colour for an accent wall can be done at this stage or after all smaller purchases were made. Stay focused on your own low budget decorating plan. Unless you see something you really love and must have now, decorative items can be added on as you live in the space!

 

It may be better for you to have a non-cluttered, empty home. You can add on with time. Rather wait, save, and make careful purchasing decisions. 

 

Remember, you can plan your revamp / redesign / decorating project according to your time frame and budget. Planning is very important when you decorate on a budget.

 

Use the important points and considerations I provide you within this FREE Decorating on a Budget WORKBOOK! This will guide your planning choices to determine what outcome a job requires, especially when working with a tight budget and a small space.

 

Most importantly, do whatever feels comfortable for you when you decorate on a budget.

 

Be a little bit flexible and allow some room for changes in circumstances. Also, allow for others’ tastes (only those who share the space with you) * and your own ideas and wants that might change slightly. Be prepared to make trivial adjustments, only within a general outlined framework you set for yourself. And don’t go beyond those fences, otherwise, you will never finish a project, or it will take super long and cost way more than you anticipated.

 

Does a beautiful home mean that you must have a lot of money to spend on your projects? No. Just plan and spend what you have wisely. Certainly, a room/space that makes you feel good can be modestly furnished and very simple. It only needs a certain cheeriness and comfort, a few pleasant, eye-catching surprises and a sense of character. The people living there will make sure of this.

*Visitors’ opinions don’t matter in your home! Unless it’s compliments. And, unless they complain about not having a decent, clean, open spot for them to sit in comfortably to have a cup of tea or coffee. Or unless you invite them for dinner, and they must sit and eat on a tray in front of the TV. Well, this depends on how close you are, and how new your home is, and a lot of other things… You catch my drift. It is your space, and you spend more time there than they do!

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