Play Around with Paint
The first idea on the list of budget-friendly decoration tips is to use paint colors. “Paint is very affordable and can make a significant impact,” says Keysha Jillian, lead interior designer and owner ofK. Jillian DesignsBased in Tampa, Florida. “Whether you want to soften a color or introduce a vibrant hue to energize your space, color is an excellent way to transform the atmosphere of a room.” Our specialists offered a broad array of recommendations when it came to selecting colors and finishes, so you’re sure to discover at least one concept that appeals to you, whether your taste is understated and minimalist or vibrant and eclectic.
Adhere to Traditional Neutral Wall Colors
If you’re unsure about the paint color, go with a timeless neutral. Shades such as beige, gray, greige, and yellow will always appear modern and stylish. Additionally, they work well with any other colors. Keep vibrant accent colors for decor items, and you’ll avoid needing to repaint an entire room due to an overly bold choice.
Choose Deep Colors
If you’re not a fan of neutral tones, vibrant colors can make a strong statement of elegance, according to an interior designer.Douglas GranetoOpt for rich colors with glossy surfaces,” he states. “For instance, a dark navy wall paired with gold and purple accents in the design can create a sophisticated vibe that definitely feels opulent.
Don’t Exaggerate With Hues
Introducing one or two accent colors in your home can create a vibrant touch that remains unified without being excessive. “Using too much color will instantly make it look shabby chic or bohemian, which is appealing but conveys a completely different atmosphere than luxury,” says Drew Henry.,the originator of a design companyDesign Dudes.
Harmonize with Color
Developing an ideal color scheme is more involved than just selecting three of your preferred colors, but investing the effort to refine your color selection will make your home appear magazine-ready. “I recommend my clients to concentrate on a specific color family, or to choose shades that harmonize with each other—not clash,” says designer Gil Greenwash, author ofGil Walsh Interiors: A Defense of ColorExcessive vibrant hues or a muted scheme that lacks dimension often fails to make an impact.
Try Luxe Paint Treatments
Transform Your Bathroom into a Sanctuary
Your bathroom is frequently used, and visitors are likely to see it during social events and get-togethers. Therefore, it’s a natural choice for affordable DIY decoration ideas and inexpensive luxury improvements.
Choose Towels That Truly Excite You
It’s time to toss out those dull, old bath towels—faded whites and bleach-stained hues can make your area appear unclean and inexpensive. “Showcase clean, white, soft towels similar to those you’d see in a high-end hotel or spa,” says Henry. “This will instantly create an impression for your guests, making them feel the space is more luxurious.”
If you think standard white towels might be too dull for your area, don’t worry.Luxury interior designer Charmaine Wynter recommends incorporating easy DIY embellishments on plain towels to showcase your unique flair.“Simply choose a matching ribbon color and take out your sewing machine,” she says.
Focus On Faucets
If your budget allows for just one premium bathroom feature, choose a high-quality faucet. Combining it with simple, affordable tiles can actually draw attention to the investment, according to an interior designer.René Dekker“Look into the window of any luxury jewelry shop, and you’ll notice that the intricately made pieces, the gold and diamonds, are always placed on simple, neutral backdrops that highlight them more effectively… the same principle can be applied to your bathroom,” he explains.
Throw Away the Old Toothbrush Caddy
Enhancing your toothbrush holder and soap dish is an affordable method to enhance the style of your bathroom. Choose a sophisticated, contemporary set that complements your existing decor, recommends interior designer Dayna Hairston, founder ofDayziner.
Add Molding
If your walls are empty except for a few pieces of art, think about incorporating molding into the baseboard, chair rail, or ceiling. “It doesn’t need to be an extravagant, Victorian-style molding—just a basic, single-shaped, single-depth piece of molding will work,” says interior designer Erica Leigh Reiner, owner ofE. Leigh Designs.
Accent with Accessories
Magazines provide an excellent way to find affordable decorating ideas and inspiration on how to style a room. That said, homeowners should be prepared to search for more economical alternatives to the items featured in design magazines. “Decorative items can differ greatly in price, but if you’re seeking a good deal, there are many discount home stores that have amazing selections,” says Jillian. “My preferred store for many home decor items—especially for clients with limited budgets—is HomeGoods.”
Replace Your Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are a simple way toaccessorizeand illuminate a space, whether you purchase them or create them yourself. Jillian suggests that homeowners should discard their older throw pillows and substitute them with vibrant, more voluminous ones—or simply purchase fresh pillow covers. “Combine and contrast colors and materials, and mix various arrangements,” she advises. However, more isn’t always better. “There can be an excessive number of pillows, so ensure you don’t overdo it.”
If you’re not interested in purchasing new pillows, you can still apply this suggestion. A budget-friendly throw pillow can appear significantly more opulent if you substitute the original filling with a down insert. “They just look and feel much better than foam,” notes Ana Cummings, a design specialist on CTV’sHomes & Lifestyles Canada.
Add Volume
Luxurious items often come with a sense of heft and size. This is why heavier gold bangles look more opulent compared to lighter ones that may seem cheap and could be made of plastic. Never compromise on sturdiness: include an additional panel on your curtain rod, and look for high-quality carpets and throw blankets that feel great under your hands. Furthermore, enhance your space with substantial decorative items; vases, picture frames, and trinkets should all have a noticeable presence.
Pay Attention to Details
Your selection of furniture and appliances might be the first things people notice, but focusing on finer details can give the impression that you’ve invested even more time and resources into your space. “Replacing small fixtures and hardware with more deliberate choices can make the home’s design feel more purposeful, which in turn gives it a more upscale appearance,” says designer Justina Blakenly, founder ofJungalowReplace an outdated flush mount light with a contemporary design, or switch out plastic wall plates for metal ones, she recommends.
Seek Out Softness
“Velvet or velour offers a luxurious feel and appearance,” says Nicola Croughan, the lead interior designer and stylist atBlinds Direct“In fact, most fabrics that are soft to the touch perform best,” she says. Go for a bold jewel tone or combine a neutral color palette with pastel “ice cream shades” such as mint green or blush.
Concentrate on Your Window Coverings
Windows bring in beautiful natural light to your area and are also an excellent method to enhance the appearance of a room. Our specialists have a few ideas on how to utilize your windows to make your space seem more luxurious.
Create the Appearance of Taller Ceilings
If you’re unable to lift your roof, literally, you could try elevating your window coverings. Jillian recommends lifting window panels to create a sense of height and add a more impressive look. “Window treatments are often undervalued, and clients frequently ignore their effect on a room,” she explains. “A budget-friendly way to implement this idea is by adding fabric to your current panels. Once you locate the ideal matching fabric, take it to your local tailor to have it sewn onto the top, middle, or bottom of the fabric.”
Opt for Custom-Fitted Blinds
“Any poorly fitted blind in the recess appears inexpensive if not properly sized for the window,” notes Croughan. Investing a bit more in a custom-made option is far more refined, she adds. She suggests choosing luxurious Roman blinds and broad-leaf wooden blinds, and recommends selecting a water-resistant roller blind for bathrooms and kitchens to avoid mold.
Use Library Shelves for More Than Just Books
Inexpensive decoration ideas don’t always require a lot of effort; often, it’s just about having a creative perspective to recognize the possibilities within a space. For instance, rows of books on your shelves can appear very formal. “Mix in some framed photographs and unique bookends,” suggests Cummings. “Ensure it’s organized and clean—that alone makes a big impression.”
Don’t Ensure Finishes Are Perfect, Instead Align Them
Some stains and finishes complement each other. For instance, cherry wood pairs nicely with oak, and hickory tends to go well with most materials, but the majority do not. If you want your floor to match your cabinets, or your faucets to match your door handles, choose an exact match or create a clear contrast; go for at least three shades lighter or darker. A near match often appears inexpensive.
Don’t avoid contrast, though. It’s one of the underappreciated inexpensive decoration tips that can bring a lot of personality to your area. Also, by combining different finishes, you can save money; you don’t need to spend on a full set all at once.
Search for New Alternatives
When you discover a bed or sofa that you really like, you may feel inclined to purchase the entire set to ensure a perfect fit, but this can appear inexpensive, according to Myrf Bowry, an interior designer and co-founder ofDecorum Inc“All homes are far more engaging when elements complement each other without being overly uniform,” she states.
Change Up Your Bedroom Setup
The simplest choice doesn’t always create the strongest impact. “If you have a dresser in a bedroom that comes with a matching mirror, it adds more intrigue to the space if you place a different mirror above the dresser,” explains Bowry. There’s no need to discard the original mirror, she notes; simply move it to another room.
Update Your Light Fixtures
Stop treating lighting as an afterthought, says Isobel McKenzie, an editor at the interior design website.NONAGON.style“Often in high-end homes and apartments, the lighting is carefully designed to draw attention to specific areas,” she explains. Adding warm LED strip lighting above a bookshelf or beneath a mirror can enhance visual appeal and create depth.
Up Your Thread Count
Regardless of your bedding preference, boosting the thread count of your sheets can immediately elevate the opulence of your sleeping area, according to Charmaine Wynter, a luxury interior designer withWynter Interiors. Your home won’t just appear luxurious—it will convey that sense of opulence.
Look Entertaining-Ready
If you have a dining room tableYou only need to use them when the company is coming over, so keep the settings in place to give the impression of being an expert host. “A carefully arranged table setting can make the space appear more refined,” says Henry. He recommends something as straightforward as fresh flowers, which can make it look like you’ve invested time and effort into your dining area. He also tells readers that spending a lot on fine china isn’t the only way to create an impressive table setup: “white plates… are affordable yet make a big difference.” Combine them with gold utensils for a fashionable, upscale appearance.
Place Unexciting Products in a Suitable Location
Frugal decor ideas go beyond large furniture items. Even cleaning supplies can benefit from a touch of elegance. “Replace your plastic Dawn bottle with a glass hand soap dispenser filled with your preferred dish soap,” suggests Wynter. “There you have it—immediate luxury.”
Go Big
Climbing the scale of your decor makes a strong impact, even if the items aren’t overly expensive, according to Yael Meromy from the design company.Studio D“We enjoy incorporating large-scale art and decoration, such as a huge canvas that covers an entire wall or a significantly oversized framed mirror that stands against the wall rather than being hung, to design a space that is striking, unforgettable, and magnificent,” she explains.
Create a Vignette
Otherwise, “dead space” can be enhanced to make the entire room appear more stylish. “Areas such as coffee tables, consoles, and empty corners of a kitchen counter… are all prime spots for a well-arranged vignette,” says Cummings. This is one of the affordable decorating ideas on our list that could end up being free. Take inventory of what you already have and see how it can be combined effectively. You might not need to spend a single cent!
Buy from Secondhand and Vintage Shops
One of our top budget-friendly decoration tips involves where you shop. Don’t dismiss a store based on its logo or exterior, as you never know what hidden treasures it might have. You can discover amazing items at thrift shops. Also, don’t shy away from some effort; if your first purchase isn’t quite right, be willing to repaint, replace hardware, or update the fabric. High-quality secondhand pieces can give your home a luxurious feel.
About the Experts
- Keysha Jillianis the principal interior designer and proprietor ofK. Jillian Designs, located in Tampa, Florida.
- Douglas Granetois a home decorator withDouglas Graneto Design.
- Drew Henryis the founder of a design companyDesign Dudes.
- Gil Greenwashis a designer and the writer ofGil Walsh Interiors: A Defense of Color.
- Charmaine Wynter is a high-end interior decorator withWynter Interiors.
- René Dekkeris a home decorator withRené Dekker Design .
- Dayna Hairstonis a interior designer and the founder ofDayziner.b
- Erica Leigh Reineris a home decorator and the founder ofE. Leigh Designs.
- Ana Cummingsis a design specialist on CTV’sHomes & Lifestyles Canada.
- Justina Blakenly is the founder of Jungalow.
- Nicola Croughanis the principal interior designer and decorator atBlinds Direct.
- Myrf Bowryis a interior designer and the co-founder ofDecorum Inc.
- Isobel McKenzieis a contributor to the interior design websiteNONAGON.style.
- Yael Meromy is a designer from Studio D.
