If you are a homeowner, one of the biggest expenses you will likely need to find the money for is decorating your home. It would be nice if we could simply decorate our homes once when we moved in and have the decor stay fresh and stylish for the rest of our time there, but that is not the reality we face. From time to time, various renovations and redecorations will need to be made.

The good news is, it is possible to do those necessary home decor updates on a budget with some clever money-saving hacks.  

Keep on reading as below you'll find some of the best home decoration hacks to save you money right now.

Wait for a sale (not always the obvious sales)

This one sounds pretty obvious, but a lot of people do not realise that there are certain times of the year when various decorating materials like paint and wallpaper are cheaper.  This can be a great way to save money when decorating or renovating you home.

For example, DIY stores like B&Q will almost always have a sale around the time of the Easter bank holiday because they know people will have time off and that they will want to refresh their home’s for spring. Work out when the sales are likely to occur for whatever it is you need and hold off on making any decor changes until then if you are serious about saving money.

(If you're going to B&Q then check out the apps Sprive or JamDoughnut as you can pre-buy gift cards to save yourself money on your purchases!)

Save thousands on your dream kitchen

We've all dreamt of that perfect kitchen, but the price tag of a brand new installation can often be enough to send shivers down your spine. Fear not, fellow home renovators! There's a hidden gem in the world of décor that can save you a small fortune: high-quality, pre-loved used kitchens for sale.

Websites like Rehome offer a treasure trove of ex-display kitchens from top brands at a fraction of the original price. These kitchens have barely been used, are inspected and guaranteed by the company, and come in a variety of styles, colours, and sizes. Imagine getting that stunning, ultra-modern kitchen you've always craved for a fraction of the cost!

Here's why buying a second-hand kitchen is a brilliant idea:

• Save the planet and your wallet: Reusing a perfectly good kitchen is a fantastic way to be eco-friendly. You're stopping a perfectly usable kitchen from going to landfill and saving yourself a significant amount of money in the process.
• Top brands, slashed prices: These kitchens come from reputable names, so you know you're getting top quality at a fraction of the price tag.  Also, you might be able to afford a brand you'd never be able to buy new!
• Endless variety: With a wide range of styles and colours on offer, you're sure to find a kitchen that perfectly matches your taste and décor.

By thinking outside the box and considering a high-quality, pre-loved kitchen, you can completely transform your home without breaking the bank. It's a win-win for your budget and the environment! So ditch the idea of a brand new kitchen and explore the exciting world of second-hand finds. You might just be surprised by what you discover.

A simple coat of paint will work wonders (and it's inexpensive)

If your home decor is looking a little dated, simply applying a fresh coat of paint to the walls is often all you need to do to completely transform the space and have it looking fresh and modern once more. White will be great for adding freshness and the sense of space while bold, bright colours can help to modernise dowdy home decor very quickly and at very little cost.

You can save money on painting your home by ensuring that you use a paint calculator so you know exactly how much you will need, and so that you don’t end up with lots of costly leftover materials.  Also save money by purchasing high-quality paint that will last much longer before it requires a touch-up.

Cover your kitchen worktops instead of replacing (and you could save £1000s!)

If your kitchen worktops are looking a little worse for wear, perhaps because they are very out of date or have a lot of scuff marks, it can make the whole kitchen look pretty shabby. You might be thinking about replacing the whole kitchen as a result, but there's another hack that is much cheaper!

If you want to save money, using a company like Granite Transformations to simply cover the worktops with a brand new layer or granite is a cheaper way of doing it. You can then simply keep your existing cabinetry and maybe repaint them to give them a fresh new look too, saving potentially thousands of pounds on the process.

Create your own wall art (it's unique and cheaper)

If you like to have art hanging from the walls to brighten the place up and add a little interest to your decor, but you don’t have lots of money to spend on prints and canvases, why not create your own instead? 

Take your phone out to a local beauty spot and start snapping. Choose the photos you love the most and have them printed onto paper or canvas online for much less than the cost of an art print.

Or, if you’re very arty, you could sketch a local scene or paint an abstract and hang that up instead. It will be even more special because the art will be personal to you, and you will be able to be 100 percent guarantee that the art you choose to hang in your home is completely unique.

Other options are searching for beautiful pieces of driftwood on the beach and creating your own fabric wall hangings or macrame using yarn. 

Update the couch with new covers (it will look brand new)

If the fabric on your couch has seen better days, you might be thinking about buying s new one, but couches can be very expensive, and it might not even be necessary. Providing that your couch is in good physical condition, it may be cheaper to invest in a couch cover which will give it a new lease of life for a fraction of the cost of a brand new one.

You can buy perfectly good couch covers off the shelf, which will allow you to change the colour and style of the couch, but if you want to spend a little more, you can have bespoke ones made too. These are even better because they are made to measure and a wider range of fabric choices will be available to you. 

 

Upcycle everything!

If your furniture is no longer to your taste, there is no reason to get rid of it when you can simply upcycle it instead. Wooden furniture, in particular, can be completely transformed by simply sanding it down, applying a layer of primer and then repainting it in the colour of your choice.

You can also remove the fabric from chasers and headboards and reupholster them yourself much cheaper than buying a new one. If you don’t know how there are so many great YouTube tutorials that will teach you.

 

Move your existing furniture around

Something that will cost you no money at all, but which can completely transform your space, is simply moving the furniture around within the room. This can give you more useable space and change the way the whole room looks.

You can also use it to hide stubborn stains on the carpet or whatever, until you can find a good deal to have it replaced.  Find more tips like this in my how to simplify your home decor blog post.

 

Turn sheets into curtains

Sheets and linens can easily be repurposed into curtains, blankets and cushion covers with a little input from you, so if you’re looking to switch out your window treatments, before you think about buying new, see if you have any old fabrics you can repurpose for them first, particularly if you have some beautiful patterned sheets that need to be admired!

Dye old fabrics

Something else you can do to revive old fabrics around the house which are looking a little worse for wear is to simply buy a wash in fabric dye which you can use to change the colour of the fabrics and make them look new once more. It will almost certainly be cheaper than buying new, with the added bonus, you will be able to get your fabric just how you want it instead of relying on what is available in the shops.  Plus, you get to be creative and have fun in the process.

Use cheaper alternatives to wallpaper

Wallpaper can help you turn a bland wall into a feature wall. But it can be pretty expensive. If you want to save money on the cost of wallpaper, why not think about using wall decals or stickers instead? You could also think about hanging that old patchwork quilt that your grandmother lovingly made for you or a tapestry you love instead. It’s all about thinking outside of the box to create a unique and personalised home without spending a fortune.  Peel and stick wallpaper can also be a cheaper and easier option compared to traditional wallpaper.

Baskets can hide clutter

If you have a lot of clutter in your home, but you are not ready to part with it or you can not afford lots of built-in storage to hide it away, see if you can buy a few cheap wicker baskets instead. Simply throwing all of your clutter into them will help to hide them away while also adding a nice natural design feature to your space.

Paint the floors inside and out

If your wooden flooring or your kitchen tiles have seen better days, did you know you can actually paint them to give them a new finish? If you do it right it will look great and you won’t have to worry about the cost of replacing it all.  Search for specialised paint for the material you wish to paint.  You can even paint old stone patio tiles using a mix of masonry paint with plasterers sand to add some grip.

10 more unique ideas to help you save money on decorating your home:

1. DIY Fabric Wallpaper: Instead of purchasing expensive wallpaper, consider creating your own using fabric remnants. Simply apply fabric starch to the wall and smooth the fabric over it for a temporary and budget-friendly alternative.

2. Nature-inspired Decor: Bring the outdoors in by collecting natural elements like branches, pine cones, or shells to use as free decor accents. Arrange them in vases or display them on shelves for a rustic and cost-effective look.

3. Memory Collage: Create a personalised wall collage using photographs, postcards, ticket stubs, and other mementoes. This not only adds character to your space but also serves as a meaningful and budget-friendly decor option.

4. Vintage Finds: Explore charity shops, garage sales, and estate auctions for unique vintage pieces that add charm and character to your home without breaking the bank. Look for items like vintage mirrors, frames, or decorative plates.
   
   

5. DIY Terrariums: Create your own terrariums using glass containers, small plants, and decorative rocks or sand. These miniature gardens add a touch of greenery to your home and can be made inexpensively with materials from garden centres or online suppliers.

6. Textile Art: Get creative with textiles by repurposing old fabric scraps into wall hangings, throw pillows, or table runners. You can experiment with different textures, patterns, and colours to add visual interest to your space on a budget.

7. Thrifted Textiles: Look for affordable fabric remnants, curtains, or tablecloths at thrift stores or charity shops. These can be transformed into cushion covers, curtains, or even reupholstered furniture pieces for a unique and budget-friendly decor update.

8. Gallery Wall of Postcards: Collect postcards from your travels or purchase inexpensive ones featuring artwork or scenic views. Create a gallery wall by framing and arranging them in a cohesive layout for an affordable and visually appealing decor feature.

9. Creative Lighting: Experiment with creative lighting solutions by repurposing everyday objects into unique light fixtures. For example, use mason jars as pendant lights or string fairy lights across a feature wall for a whimsical and budget-friendly lighting option.

10. Statement Plants: Invest in a few statement plants like large leafy palms or fiddle leaf figs to add instant impact and style to your space. Opt for easy-to-care-for varieties to minimise ongoing maintenance costs while still achieving a lush and vibrant look.

These unique ideas offer creative ways to refresh your home decor without exceeding your budget.

Final word

As you can see, there are so many things you can do to ensure that your home looks amazing without having to spend a whole lot of money doing so.  Plus, it’s a great way of being creative and making your home truly unique without always buying off the shelf products. Enjoy saving money in the home and making it look great!

 

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