Inexpensive [or Free] Ways To Decorate Your Home

I’ve always been of the opinion that you should slowly ‘build’ a comfortable home, not just buy everything all at once. Collecting decor over time creates an eclectic look and holds meaning that you just can’t get from a single shopping trip. While a magazine-perfect living room is beautiful, it can often feel a bit contrived and stale. I’d much rather have an interesting hodge-podge than a room that came directly off a showroom floor. Whether you’ve been in your home twenty years, or are just starting out, here are some very inexpensive, or even free ways to decorate.

Create A Feature Wall

For some reason, walls seem to be a tricky place for people to decorate. Often they will use pieces that aren’t the appropriate size, or they will not use enough of them to create a ‘finished’ look. Creating a feature wall is one of the easiest things you can do to transform a room. It can also be very inexpensive as well, as long as you’re willing to think outside the box. In this post, I described how I used dishes from various family members to create a feature wall. You could easily collect pieces from antique stores to create something similar.

Creating an eclectic gallery wall is also a very inexpensive way to decorate your home. Use pieces you already have, or go on a hunt for art or objects to add. Think outside the box. Hang old vinyl covers, hats, momentos, or even driftwood.

One of my favorite resources for art are actually books. I love to remove botanical prints from old(and usually falling apart) books and frame them.

Consider creating a feature wall by using a stencil. This is a very inexpensive alternative to wallpaper.

Bring The Outdoors In

One of the quickest ways to make your home feel fresh is to bring outdoor elements in. I love to gather and bring branches, flowers, and other natural elements into my home. And it doesn’t cost anything! Organic finds add tons of texture, color, and visual interest to a room or vignette.

Driftwood and Air Plants create a beachy feel.

You can use a lantern to create a charming terrarium with a few clipped branches, a found bird’s nest, and some moss.

I love to bring clipped branches into my home for a fresh and organic feel.

Cut flowers from your garden to bring indoors for a pop of color.

Shop Your Home

When I want to change up my decor, the first thing I do is look around my house to see what I can use. You’d be amazed at what you have lying around that can be used to decorate for free. Gather things together on a table so you have everything in one place. Start making vignettes, or groupings with those items and see what you can come up with. Here are the basic combinations I look for when creating a vignette for a table or shelf:

• Sculptural pieces
• Flat pieces
• Texture
• Color

Odd numbers of things are typically most aesthetically pleasing. However, if I put a vase on a stack of books, or something similar, I consider that one item. Think of groups in threes, fives, or sevens. You can also split them, like for a shelf or mantel and place two objects on one end and three on the other.

Three items on each end creates symmetry. The box on the tray in the middle is considered only one item visually.

Here are some of the things I ‘shop’ for in my home to decorate with:

• Books
• Platters
• Trays
• Sculptures
• Candles/Candlesticks
• Boxes
• Art
• Plants/flowers
• Vases
• Table runners/scarves
• Bowls
• Baskets
• Lamps

Rearrange Furniture

Rearranging furniture is considered a sport to my mom, and she’s created some amazing arrangements using only what she has. Before you run out and buy a new piece of furniture, think of a different place to use it. This is one of the easiest free things you can do to decorate your home. Don’t be afraid to place it in a spot it isn’t ‘supposed’ to go. You would be surprised at the new look and feel you can achieve just by shifting things around. This console has lived in my living room, foyer, library, and has served as a sofa table.

Thrift[Or Antique] Some Gems

Incorporating old with new is my number one tip for creating a truly curated look in your home. I can’t tell you how often throwing something unexpected into the mix creates that ‘wow factor’. Buying vintage or antique items also ensures very few people will have the same piece. Old decor lends a patina to your decorating that is hard to replicate, and can often be done very inexpensively. Check out antique malls, flea markets, and thrift stores for unique pieces. Online resellers like ebay, Chairish, or 1stDibs are also good places to shop. Here are a few of my favorite thrift finds:

Reproduction Tobacco Leaf candlesticks

The bamboo mirror, brass candle sconce, and tea tray(behind blue and white ginger jars) are all vintage finds.

Say “Yes!” To Hand-Me-Downs

One of the easiest ways to decorate your home inexpensively is to incorporate hand-me-downs. Family pieces are my favorite, because not only are they often unique, they hold sentimental value. If you aren’t able to use inherited pieces, consider joining a Beg/Barter group for your neighborhood. You’d be amazed what people want to get rid of! Moving and estate sales are great too. Even if the piece isn’t exactly to your taste, think of ways you can change it. Paint, reupholster, or refinish to make it your own. Most of the larger pieces in my home are inherited, but my dining table was actually a curb find! The minute I saw those French Provincial table legs, I couldn’t knock on the owner’s door fast enough! It wasn’t her style, so she decided to just leave it out for the trash. I wasn’t crazy about its orange finish, so I restained it to fit my home better. Keep your eyes open-you never know what might appear!

Repurpose

I’m a big fan of repurposing items to use in my decorating. Think outside the box with pieces you already have, and use them in new ways. An ice bucket can be used for a floral arrangement. Wicker baskets make attractive waste bins. An umbrella holder is perfect for storing toilet paper in the powder room.

Thoughtful Gathering

I really do believe you can have a warm and gracious home without spending lots of money. Sure, it takes a bit more work, but the results are worth it. Let your home evolve slowly over time, being thoughtful about the pieces you gather to bring in. The result will be a charming and inviting haven for you and your loved ones. Happy nesting!