After you move into a new home or apartment, the cost of decorating can quickly add up. If you are on a tight budget or simply do not want to spend a lot on home décor, there are 5 main ways that you can save money on decorating your home:
1) Do It Yourself (DIY)
With so many websites and blogs out there providing ideas for various crafts and DIY projects (Pinterest anyone?), you can create just about anything simply by finding directions online. It can be drastically cheaper to make your own décor from scratch versus paying someone who has already put the craft together. No matter what your style is or how you want your home to look, there are not only ideas available online but also step-by-step instructions on how to create countless things.
2) Coupons
If you are not crafty or do not want to spend the time on a lot of DIY projects, coupons can save you lots of money. Coupons for home décor stores are online constantly. You can sign up for certain stores insider coupons and get them sent to your email daily. For example, I had never been to Kirkland’s until they opened up a store just a few blocks away from our house. I went there to look around and get ideas on things I could make. Lucky me, they had a sale going on! As I was checking out, the cashier asked if I got their coupons sent to my email. I am so glad she suggested it because now if I ever decide I want to decorate more in my home, I have coupons readily available. Further, if you wait for deals and sales, you can combine these discounts with your coupons for even more savings.
3) Craigslist and eBay
Every single day people are constantly listing things for sale on Craigslist and eBay. While you may have to look hard to find things that are both affordable but are not completely out-of-date or in rough shape, it can be worth the time and effort. We found a kitchen table and chairs for our dining room for only $130, but they look like they cost at least three times that. Especially for bigger decorative pieces, consider roaming Craigslist or bidding for things on eBay.
4) Thrift Stores
I absolutely love going to thrift stores. Nevertheless, many times the things there are way too “vintage” or antique for my taste, but I also often find at least one thing that I can get excited about that fits my style. I have bought numerous things for parties at thrift stores, countless picture frames, and many unique vases that I have simply cleaned or changed slightly to make beautiful again.
5) Simplicity
I am all about interior decorating, crafts and making my home show my personality. As I have begun to decorate our new house, though, I have realized that simplicity can really be amazing. Many have heard the advice “live simply” and “consolidate your material things.” When it comes to home décor, this principle of living simple can definitely be applied. Keeping your home décor simple can create a fantastic environment, show your personality, and save you money all at once.
How do you save money on decorating your home or apartment?
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Photo by Kevin Krejci
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When we move to our new flat, we use the Number 4 methods. We purchase new furnitures, bedding and curtains from thrift stores. This store is cheaper than IKEA and better quality. One thing for sure , if we are determined to look for the value of money in decorating our home, there are lots of ways.
Whenever we decorate, numbers 1, 2, and 3 are always first on our list. You can find a lot of things cheaply using Craigslist or going DIY. We also use coupons whenever possible, although I’m such a geezer that I always forget to check online.
@GregatClubThrifty As you might know, we made our first EVER Craigslist purchase recently and I have to say it definitely is a great source for inexpensive home furnishings. So much cheaper than buying new.
We didn’t furnish our house completely until about 2 years after we moved in. We got all the main things looked after (Fridge, TV, Bed etc), but all the other stuff we got gradually as we could afford it and whenever things came on sale.
@MonsterPiggyBank I think that’s the way to go, especially because you always get to add something “new” to your house. If you got everything immediately after moving in, you would probably not be content with it 2 years later.
When we do decorate, we almost always use #1 – #3. Sometimes you can find good stuff on Craigslist and sometimes you can’t. If we do go to a store then we almost always haggle to get a lower price.
@FrugalRules Craigslist is good if you can go pick up something immediately. Seems like listings only stay up a day or two before the item has been picked up by someone else.
I always try and wait for a sale. Just like recently when Target’s whole entire home section was 30% off. I went crazy!
@SenseofCents Wait what?!? 30% off the ENTIRE section?? I have seen sales on seasonal items but never off an entire section like that. Huge win!
Great suggestions!
Last year at this time we wanted to paint our basement and turn it into a nice work at home office for ourselves. I had heard of mistinted paint but had never bought it before. A regular gallon of paint tinted to any colour you like is around $40 here.
We went to Lowes and found a mistinted paint section and found a lovely gallon of paint in a light grey for $7. It was just enough to paint the whole room twice and we love it.
we have tried to do lots of things ourselves on our new house. We collected a lot of wood from another piece of land and have made furniture, stairs, etc. thanks to a skilled worker. second hand is not big around here otherwise we would have gotten old furniture too, but the previous owner left many things that were a big saving.
We try to accumulate stuff slowly as we find good deals. Right now, we’re using a free coffee table for example, but we also purchased a new couch when we moved into our new place.
I definitely adopt strategies 1 and 2 when redecorating. I also love picking up inexpensive items at discount retailers like TJMaxx. I recently redecorated my guest bathroom and I took the savings a step further by purchasing a discount gift card. It saved me $20 right off the bat. I also agree that simplicity is key — I’m not one for clutter anyway but keeping things clean and simple is not only more affordable, it helps keep your sanity in check, too!
I use a combo option 1, 2 & 3. You’d be surprised at how many awesome things you can find on craigslist.