Inspiration for beautiful decor abounds through Pinterest, Instagram and through blogs. When we see a room decorated in the style that speaks to our heart – we think – can I do this…on a budget? The answer is yes! Yes we can. I have been doing this for years and I believe that it is much easier now than ever! I am going to share how you can decorate beautifully…on a budget!

Begin with Inspiration

Pinterest is such a wonderful tool and resource for us to gather inspiration and even resource ideas for our home decor journey. Also you can see wonderful, beautiful inspiration on Instagram. Also, there are so very many wonderful blogs sharing amazing home decor that you can regularly follow. So, the easiest way to begin – is to gather your inspiration. You can create a Board on Pinterest – public or private to gather your inspiration.

Then…You can take from those images – those things that draw your attention. Those things that you would like to add your home’s decor – I love sites like Canva to create a mood board.

Determine Your Budget

The term budget is so subjective. You have to know what you can work with and the most important thing….stick with it! Decide on what is the most important thing you can/may be able to indulge a bit on. For instance the main piece of furniture in your room. Whether it is a couch, bed, armoire, entertainment center, dining set etc…

Great places to find these items that will be similar to your inspiration include:

• Estate sales
• Garage/Yard sales
• Auctions
• Craigslist
• Goodwill/Salvation Army
• Habitat Restore
• IKEA
• Etsy
• Discount stores
• World Market
• Wayfair
• Lowes/Home Depot
• online Yard Sales (Facebook)

I have had success with finding items that are very similar to my dream items on Craigslist. I do recommend either having a companion when you pick up the item and if possible – go to a very public location to pick it up. Two items I’ve purchased are the china cabinet and the bed in the guest bedroom. I’ve also walked away, metaphorically, from an auction when a bidding war began and the price went far above my budget. I really wanted that item…but later I did find one very similar – well below my planned budget! Dearest and I would also spend weekends at Estate sales – I love finding well loved items – that I will continue to love.

Look Beyond the Surface….

I have learned to look through a room quickly while at garage or Estate sales. I no longer look for items that perfectly match my decor style. I look for items that have beautiful lines and are in good shape – sturdy. I know that if it has the wrong stain or wrong paint color – I can change that! Before you buy – look over the item carefully – for instance. If a chair is rickety – it may be difficult to make it safe without fully taking it apart. Be willing to walk away from an item – if you’re not sure or confident that you can make it sturdy.

Imitation is Beautiful

If you can find an item that is a true vintage or antique – at a good price – awesome! BUT, almost every where we can find imitations of these items that look just as beautiful – at a much greater savings! Today, what’s popular can be found just about every where.

Some More of My Favorite Resources:

• Decor Steals (sidebar link – affiliate link)
• Hobby Lobby
• TJMaxx, Marshalls,
• Target
• Walmart
• Amazon (affiliate)
• Kroger (yes, grocery stores – especially if they’re a ‘super store’}
• Dollar stores for glass jars and seasonal decor
• Fairs – such as Country Living

Shop around. when you know what you’re looking for first look online – search for the best price you can find. Then, shop around – visit stores to see if you can find a better price.

The Easiest and Most Inexpensive Way to Decorate…

Paint…I so love paint. Changing your wall color can totally beautiful, update and improve the look of a room. So many paints now are a combination of paint and primer which enable you to get awesome coverage. I love Valspar Reserve for just that!

• Select at least four options – usually the middle color in a sample strip works best in all lighting
• Purchase samples of your paint choices – the sample paint can be used later for projects. Paint swatches in the room and ‘live’ with the colors for a few days observing the changes at different times of the day
• Retailers can match paint from any brand –
• Take with you fabric swatches and pictures of your color scheme to make sure the shades work together. Several colors look similar, but their underlying color can clash with your decor items

Start with Your Color Scheme

There’s a formula – 60% – 30% – 10% – The majority of the room’s color comprise the 60 percent. The secondary color the 30 percent and the remaining – accent color the 10 percent. This is a great suggestion. Oftentimes, I’ll go 110% – adding another 10% color. This color scheme is very pleasing to the eye when fully put together.

source – Pinterest – Froken Knopp blog

Decide Upon The main Pieces of Furniture

These are the anchors to your room – these are the pieces you’ll decorate around. When you decide on the style of your room, you can then find furniture to complement that style…then decorate around them.

Accessorize 

• Include fabrics that incorporate your color scheme for rugs, pillows and slipcovers
• You can build on your accessories as you go and as you find items that fit what you love and what fits your budget
• Shop other rooms for decor items
• Be patient with yourself.

I have found items over the years I knew I would use – one day. For instance, in our pink guest bedroom, the curtain panels I purchased three years before because they fit my vision for the room and they were an awesome deal!

Decorating a room on a budget is not difficult.

It takes preparation, determination and patience.

There’s a sense of joy in making our homes beautiful. There’s an added sense of joy in knowing we’re not only creating beautiful rooms for our family, but we’re also doing it in a wonderfully frugal manner! Do you have ideas and practices in decorating your home on a budget that are different – or more…I’d love to hear what works for you!