When it comes to interior design, a little can go a long way, so don’t be fooled into thinking you’ll have to spend a lot of money just to breathe new life into your living space. With a few simple ideas, you can stick to a small budget while still giving your living room, bedroom or office a whole new vibe.
Discover the basic steps that can help you transform a room on a budget, and choose the ones that are most suited to your taste. From a little Feng Shui to a super cheap addition to your window treatment, here are the small changes that can have the biggest impact.
1. Rearrange Your Furniture
Even if you’re not into Feng Shui, making a few changes to the way your furniture is arranged can instantly make a big difference to your room. Don’t just start moving furniture around, focus on its function and the way you move around the room. If you feel like your furniture is in the perfect place from a practical point of view, taking a piece of furniture out might be a small change you need.
2. Declutter and Add Storage Options
Any room can look like a mess if it’s cluttered. Transform a room on a budget by adding a bit more storage space and getting everything in order. When you’re dealing with a lot of clutter, shelves won’t fix the problem, but a little hidden storage might help.
3. Try a New Window Treatment
Getting new curtains or blinds can instantly change the feel of the room. Whether you make your own or buy them, try a new approach. If you’ve had solid colors until now, try a subtle print, or even a bold one if it doesn’t clash with the furniture. The smallest investment you can make for the biggest effect is adding a colorful valance to your existing curtains.
See also: Top Color Rules for Home Decor
4. Create or Reinvent Your Feature Wall
Every room should have a feature wall, a focal point that brings everything together. If you don’t have one, the it’s time you add a little flair to your home decor. Transform a room on a budget by adding wall stickers or decals, creating your personalized picture gallery (with 7 or more picture frames) or investing in wallpaper. Reinvent your feature wall by adding new art or changing its color.
5. Improve Your Lighting
A little mood lighting can go a long way. If you’re not interested in changing your light fixtures, consider adding a couple of floor lamps. While they won’t make a big difference during the day, they can certainly improve the vibe of your room after dark.
6. Use Prints to Make a Change
New linens can make a big change in your bedroom and pillows with bold prints can also turn your living room around. If you’re worried about experimenting with color, pillows are the easiest way to transform a room on a budget. Decide on a color scheme, but allow your pillows to become special color accents that bring the room to a whole new level.
7. Display More Art
Spruce up your living space by adding a little art. You don’t have to spend a lot to get a few pieces you love. Modern art posters can help you create any kind of mood you want, from romantic to cozy. If you’re already dealing with clutter, choose very simple frames to let the art speak for itself.
8. Consider Adding or Replacing a Rug
Another way to transform a room on a budget is to add a decorative rug. Don’t dismiss this idea just because you have wall to wall carpeting. If you already have a print on your floor, go for a simple rug. For carpeting in a single color, a more attention-grabbing rub is in need. Just go for a more dramatic texture.
9. Upcycle Your Furniture
If reupholstering sounds like too big a project, stick to painting wood furniture or changing your cabinet and drawer knobs. With a really small investment and a little effort, you can give new life to furniture that might look ready for the junkyard.
10. Add Plants or Fresh Flowers
Plants can also help transform a room on a budget. Small potted trees can make your ceiling look higher, while fresh flowers give the room a little pop. The right plants can reinvigorate any space, but make sure that you make the right choice, when it comes to the light level in the room and your commitment to watering and caring for them.