It’s easy to imagine the high costs associated with designing the place of your dreams when watching home makeover series, but nothing could be further from the truth. You’ll be surprised to find that some of the most impressive room transformations actually don’t cost much at all; here’s how you can achieve it without breaking the bank:
1. Shop secondhand
There are loads of furniture items and decor available in the secondhand market. They’re at thrift stores, flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, even online. So many people want to switch up their furniture, so they’re willing to let pieces go for an affordable price. Take advantage of the opportunity, and you’ll be able to score some really good finds that will best fit in your home. The best part: you can up-cycle and give an item a second life, thus preventing it from ending up in a landfill.
2. Refurbish
Secondhand furniture can easily be refurbished and made to look brand new by sanding or repainting it. You could also consider replacing the upholstery and fixtures, which would render the item even more special because it has your personal touch.
If you have some older furniture in your home, refurbish it, too. A piece could simply appear
lackluster because it doesn’t match your current decor anymore. By extending its use in your home, you’re saving a considerable amount.
3. Play with patterns and textures
This best applies to items that can be replaced cheaply like pillowcases, rugs, curtains, and linens. Rather than redesigning the whole space, it could just need a little update in color and texture. Look around for interesting patterns and materials that fit the mood you’re trying to go for and don’t be afraid to experiment. If it doesn’t end up working out, you can always resell it.
4. Change the color palette
Repainting is another inexpensive way to transform the look of your space. Brainstorm different color palettes that you prefer, and pick out samples of these colors at the hardware store. Stick to two or three colors, and be sure to try it out on a patch of your wall first. What may look great on paper may not necessarily translate well on the wall.
5. Rent before you buy
Not sure how a certain item will look in your home? Consider renting it. This is a great way to redecorate your space without spending too much upfront. There are plenty of places that enable you to rent different kinds of furniture, ranging from couches to table lamps. This is also a great option if you’re the type who is always re-decorating.
6. Leave the tag on
If you do decide to purchase a piece of home decor, make sure to leave the tags on for as long as possible. Some stores have a price drop policy that will honor the discounted price of an item if the price drop occurred within two weeks of the purchase. Others have a return policy that enables you to return the item as long as it is still in good condition.
7. Measure before you shop
When it comes to shopping for decor, the measuring tape is truly your best friend. Let’s say you’re shopping for a couch… not only do you want to choose a sofa that matches the room, it also has to fit within it. So check the measurement of an item and compare it against the area where you plan to put it. This will save you a lot of money and headaches from having to return an item that was ill-fitting.
We hope one or all of these tips prove to be useful!
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