There are ways to decorate a home with quality furnishings on a budget without it looking cheap.
Decorating on a budget may require some extra leg work, patience, creativity, and a little DIY.
Here are some tips and tricks for quality home decorating on a budget.
photo courtesy of Maegan flickr.com/photos/lovemaegan/5121740276/Second Hand
Shop at high end garage sales, live auctions, estate sales, or online auctions for large pieces of furniture, such as an armoire and a dining room table in order to be budget friendly.
Decorating with antiques is a good option because if they have survived this long, they are good quality.
Keep in mind that reupholstering a sofa can be quite pricey, however recovering dining chair seats can usually be done easily for not much money.
King and queen sized beds are a relatively new invention, so you will not find any authentic antique beds in this size.
Fabrics
Draperies and pillows should not be overlooked when decorating for adding softness to a room.
Custom draperies are very expensive, so shop for ready-made drapes when they are on sale to fit in a limited budget.
When pricing draperies, be aware that some draperies are sold by the pair and others are sold by the panel, so draperies sold by the pair are usually better for your budget.
You can also make your own draperies and pillows to save money when decorating your home.
Making custom pillows is quite easy and very budget friendly, however making your own custom draperies is a bit more challenging to get them to look professional quality.
Search High and Low
Shop everywhere and be patient to get the perfect accessories to decorate your home and be within your budget.
Shop at flea markets and thrift stores for home accessories.
Look in your parents' and grandparents' attic because they may have packed up something that was once considered dated but is now back in fashion.
Shop at large discount retailers because they are starting to sell good quality stylish home goods.
If you want to decorate with hardback books, check your local library since they usually sell books for cheap and your purchase supports the library.
Be patient and wait until you find the perfect accessories that are unique and of good quality. Don't rush right out and purchase basic accessories that have the right colors and size unless you really like them and they are very budget friendly.
Paint
Don't underestimate the power of paint.
You can paint decorative items as well as your walls.
Paint is very budget friendly, so make sure to paint all of your walls and ceilings for added drama.
See Ceiling Paint Color Ideas and How to Choose Paint Colors For Your Home.
Architecture
Your room's architecture is very important when decorating a room.
If you are handy, you can install crown molding, chair rails, or other decorative architectural accents to give your room a sophisticated and stylish look that is budget friendly.
Simplicity
Decorate in moderation for high style and low budget.
Instead of packing a room full of furniture and accessories, select fewer larger pieces of better quality.
The more accessories you have in a room, the less perceived value each piece has.
Shop Online
To save on gas, shop online first before driving aimlessly around town from store to store.
You can shop multiple retailers to find the best price on the same item, but make sure to account for whether or not they charge sales tax or shipping.
