15 Easy Ways to Update Your Decor and Home on a Budget

Because sometimes you just need a little change. Here are some easy ways to update your decor and home without breaking the bank.

Let’s face it, we don’t always have the time or money to do a full makeover when we want to update our space. So what do you do to spruce up your space quickly and on budget? These DIY inexpensive home updates may be just what you need.

1. Get your camera out.

Break out your phone or camera and snap some pictures. You’d be surprised what you can find in your yard and town if  you look for interesting architecture, landscapes, animals,  colors or textures.

I spent some time in our yard one afternoon and this is what I came up with. I really like the texture in each picture and the classic black and white pictures with the white matte.

 

 

You can see that project here.

Or take new pictures of your family in fun poses. Have fun and don’t make it complicated. My kids helped me with this project…

 

I framed them in a row in a wall collage. 🙂

2. Paint existing pieces or thrift store finds.

The power of paint!  It ties mis-matched pieces together and is my go to for updating so many things. You can pick up a can of quality spray paint for anywhere from $4 – $7 and do quite a few projects with it or use some of that leftover paint in the basement. Paint candlestick holders, picture frames, small pieces of furniture, crocks, vases, wreaths, yes, wreaths. You name it, and you can probably spray paint it to update your decor and give it a whole new look.  The best part, you can almost always paint it back. 🙂

 

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I picked up this old wooden box for $4, gave it a coat of paint I already had on hand, added a stencil and it’s a whole new look.

 

 

 

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Tip: Instead of buying a quart of paint,  pick up sample jars for next to nothing at home improvement stores. They go a long way especially if you are making homemade chalk paint and diluting it a bit with water. I’ve also used craft paint for smaller projects which, on sale, you can get for less than $1.

 

3. Use scrapbook paper

This versatile paper comes in a ton of colors and prints and is super inexpensive. You can frame it as art, use it to cover light switch plates and outlet covers, use it to cover frames or use it as a matte for a picture frame. I’ve also wrapped it around candles at the holidays for a new look.

I used a really pretty piece to make these book ends.

 

 

See how we made these squares here.

 

 

*Here are 42 ways to decorate with scrapbook paper from Home Stories A to Z. 

4. Change out your throw pillows with pillow covers.

l love throw pillows. They’re  a great way to change up the look of a room but they can get expensive and they take up a lot of room in my basement (just ask my husband, hahaha). Pillow covers, however, are less expensive, are easy to roll up when not in use and can be changed out all the time. You can swap them out for each season or when want a new look.  I got these black and white check pillow covers on Amazon for 2 for $11!

 

 

 

5. Free Printables

SO MANY bloggers offer free printables on their sites and many you can find for each season. Pick up an inexpensive frame from a thrift store and change it out throughout the year.  Simply search Pinterest for “free printables” in the theme or season you are looking for then download, print and frame.

20 Free Farmhouse Printables from Making It In The Mountains

 

 

Here are some from Rustic Reclaimed…

 

 

Free water color herbs from The Happy Housie.

 

 

6. Change out or paint your furniture hardware.

This can make a huge impact on the look and feel of a piece of furniture and it’s also a great way to add color and personality to a piece.  You can pick up cool knobs and pulls at Hobby Lobby but wait until they are %50 off or Target also has knobs in packs of 4 or larger at a discounted price. I got these at World Market and they were $1.50 each.

 

Don’t forget, you can always spray paint your old ones.

 

7. Use Empty glass jars from your kitchen

Some of those empty jars you are going to recycle including large pasta sauce to smaller jelly jars can be used as storage containers or even vases in your home.

• spray paint the top of one and add a knob for cute storage
• wrap a ribbon and twine around one and use it for a vase
• use some as candle holders and create a centerpiece

 

 

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Source: White Cottage Home and Living

 

8. Swap out pieces from room to room.

Do you have a piece that you’re tired of looking at in the same spot? Simply move it to a new room and swap it out for something else.  Can you paint it or use it in an unexpected way? Maybe use a stool as a side table or stack crates for a new look? Do this with a few pieces and you have a whole new vignette.

9. Display your treasures.

Part of creating a home that speaks to you is displaying the things that you love and have special meaning.  The bowl your grandmother handed down to you or  your mother’s jewelry box, even souvenirs from trips you’ve taken may be used in your decor. Think how you will smile every day you walk by it.

 

Over the Big Moon

 

How about your grandmother’s old silver tea set for a vase?

 

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Think about what you have stored away. Can you use it in a different way?

 

10. Swap out pieces with your friends.

I purchased two super pretty vases once because they were on sale. When I got them home, I really couldn’t find a spot for them but thought, I’ll play around with it when I change out the season. They ended up in the back of a closet for I don’t even know how long. When I pulled them out one day, I thought, these would look really pretty in Amy’s house. And they did!

She traded me for a pretty picture frame I still use today.  Win, win!

11. Take advantage of Mother Nature’s beauty – It’s FREE!

There is a treasure of decor items outdoors. Pine cones, acorns, (bake each in the oven for a bit so you don’t bring in critters) leaves, branches, grape vine and of course flowers from your hard are all free decor and add interest and character.

 

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Stone Gable

 

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12. De-clutter and clean your space.

I know you’re probably thinking that’s not new or exciting for that matter but you’d be surprised how a fresh, clean look can change your perspective. Deep clean your space, wipe down baseboards and even touch up paint on walls and trim.  Instead of adding new decor, take out some of the old stuff you don’t need or want anymore and donate it.  Change things up and move the remaining pieces around a bit to create new vignettes.

13. Use pieces everyday that currently are used only for special occasions.

Why wait? Take that beautiful bowl you only use on holidays and display it in your kitchen with fruit or a pretty white platter or old silver tray can be used to update your decor on your mantel or bookshelf mixed in with other decor. All those things that you only use once a year should come out and be seen. Why wait, while you can enjoy them every day.

 

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What about all of those old family photos that are in a box in the basement? Pull those out and have copies made and create a family collage. Have them made in black and white to create a bold statement.

 

14. Change up your existing decor with inexpensive ribbon.

Use simple ribbon to update your current decor. You can add it to lamp shades or tie it around pillows, baskets, crocks or glass jars. You can also add it to curtain panels with fabric glue to create a whole new look or add it to a wreath you already have to add a change of color.

 

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I added some black ribbon to this plain white lamp shade with, no joke, scotch tape, just on the ends where the ribbon overlaps. That way it’s not permanent so I can change it again if I get tired of it.

 

 

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15. Add Fresh Flowers

When in doubt, add fresh flowers.  There’s just something about them that makes a room feel lighter and prettier. A local grocery store near me sells 3 good size bundles of fresh flower for $15.  Doing it too often can add up but every now and then it’s a nice treat especially in the winter months. They usually last two weeks or so and can drastically change the feel of a room so if you are in the mood for a quick fix, pick up a bundle and watch your mood improve in no time.

How to make fresh flowers last longer from Good Housekeeping…

 

 

Stretch your dollar by mixing in faux flowers with real. Can you tell which is which here?

 

 

So there you have it, some easy ways to update your decor in your home without spending a fortune or making any real permanent changes. Do you have a budget friendly go to idea that you use for changing things up? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy DIY’ing!

Col

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