Maybe you’re not skilled with interior design. Fortunately, you don’t have to be a professional to be able to make your home look and feel as if it’s been designed by one.
Here are 14 home-design tips at an affordable price you could tackle without having to hire a building contractor.
- Faux Paneling
The aesthetics of your home involve both the interior and outer sides of the structure. You can add the element of stacked-stone faux panels whether outdoors on your patio, or around your fireplace inside. These panels add beautiful and realistic texture to otherwise plain and boring rooms.
- Add Greenery
If you want to bring a little life into an indoor space, add some greenery. You can place potted plants or hang them from the ceiling in a macrame holder. Don’t like the idea of maintaining them? Plenty of beautiful fake plants are available to spruce up a room.
- Hide Cords
Cords from computers, televisions, and other electronic equipment around the house can create a heightened sense of clutter. You can easily buy hide cords on Amazon at affordable prices. They will conceal a clump of chords under a desk or behind a TV stand.
- Refinish Old Furniture
A little sanding and finishing can go a long way. If you have old wooden chairs or a side table that could use a little love, buy some sandpaper and paint or wood finish to bring your dull pieces back to life.
- Add Wall Decor
A simple design tactic that can change up a space is wall decor. Go to your local thrift store or check on Marketplace for second-hand items. They won’t necessarily be expensive and you can feel a sense of achievement about turning someone’s trash into your treasure.
- Paint Your Cabinets
Sometimes we think redesigning a kitchen means having to replace all the cabinets and countertops. But you needn’t go that far. Instead, slap a new coat of white paint onto the cabinets to make them pop.
- Buy New Throw Pillows
Throw pillows are the perfect way to add a splash of color to any room. You can buy brand-new ones or just pillow covers. Both are inexpensive and cozy ways to turn a room around.
- Add a Mirror
Sometimes all it takes is to play a little trick on the eyes. Adding a mirror to a room that feels dark or small can transform the space into feeling larger than it is. Place the mirror in a position that reflects any current light you receive in the room and you’re done!
- Repurpose Old Bottles
Glass can be an elegant use in home decor. For a cheap decorating idea, take an old wine bottle and clean it out. Boil the bottle in hot water to remove the label. Once it’s dry, reuse it as a vase for fresh flowers.
- Get a Quality Rug
Small spaces like studio apartments or tiny homes require the use of a single room for multiple purposes. A great way to break up the space is through the use of a rug. Make sure it’s a quality rug with a color that matches or harmonizes with the tone of the entire room. Then it can be used for years to come.
- Use Light Sconces
It’s very simple to replace an old light fixture with a sconce. These are vintage-style lights that create a rustic yet modern feel in the home. Add LED lights for an extra way to save money on your energy bills every month.
- Candles
Nothing changes the mood and tone of a room like candles. They’re extremely affordable and certain smells can make you feel calmer. Lavender, for example, is a great scent that helps people relax as they unwind from a hard day at work.
- Add a Table Runner
A plain, basic dining table can be dressed up with a table runner. A cloth that covers the entire table top may come off as too formal. A small accessory to your table can be just the right addition to the decor that spruces up your dining experience. Add a few tall candle holders and you’ve set the scene for a romantic dinner.
- Get Creative With Storage
Aside from your electric cords, clutter appears all around us. Our drunk drawers overflow and items get placed “temporarily” on random shelves. The more clutter, the more chaos. Instead, try getting creative about organizing your drawers and closets to keep everything in its proper place.