For those who love a little design

All is not lost! We can decorate our humble abodes; everybody would love a beautifully decorated home. But money is a limited resource for some, and it’s easy to start thinking you just don’t have the budget to make your home fit your personality. Well, that’s not true, and I'm here to prove it!

In this post, I’ve collected 15 affordable interior design tips that will guide you in achieving a stunning style without breaking the bank!

Get rid of clutter

Let’s face it clutter is never attractive, and it doesn’t do any good to your home either. The first step to achieving a stunning style in your home is to get rid of all that you don’t need anymore, besides decluttering your space and your mind. Having less stuff will also make it easier to store everything neatly in your available space. Especially if you haven’t done a serious spring cleaning in a long time, this can become a huge task, and it can feel daunting. But don’t get discouraged; just start with a tiny drawer and go one room at a time. When you start, it will feel liberating, and you’ll get the energy to continue!

Get crafty with accessible essentials

It sounds crazy, but the first person that may have liked the items you got rid of is…you! Many times you’ll find yourself thinking you don’t like an item anymore, but in reality, a crafty afternoon could be enough to give it a whole new look and make you fall in love with it again! Without even mentioning the satisfaction of having done it yourself! I love this bit!!

From painting it another colour to adding embellishments. You can find tons of easy and inexpensive ideas online.

They bring together pretty crazy transformations, and who knows, maybe you’ll get inspired for your next weekend project! Crafted pieces are also great conversation starters and will put your mark in your home, bringing in your taste and personality.

Reuse to give purpose

Getting crafty is looking at what you already have with creative eyes and thinking of ways to change it and give it a whole new value. For example, filtering your closet will probably result in a pile of clothes to discard. But when looked at creatively, those clothes are a significant supply of fabrics that you could use around your home. Personally, I wouldn't do this myself, or at least not with clothes, but with other pieces of fabric. Take An old fabric and make a new cushion cover, or a fur jacket can be used to reupholster a stool! Again, ok, that would have to one of those fury peaces you find in flock stores. You’ll find plenty of projects online, and we’re sure many of the things you need to start your remodel on a budget are already around you!

Visit flea markets or your local Shpock app!

Get creative; there will be things you don’t like anymore and can’t reuse, so those need to go. But still, instead of trashing them, think about joining a local swaps app like Shpock market! There are many apps now where you can sell your things and get others for an affordable price! Just to start with, the money you’ll get from selling your stuff will stretch the budget of your remodel. And while you’re there, you’ll surely find pre-loved items that are just right for your home! or while walking around a flea market, keep your creative side awake. Many of the things you’ll find are probably not precisely what you want, but many times all it takes to make them perfect for your home is a minor update!

Another great way to get rid of unwanted stuff while getting new pieces in return is swapping things with other people who would also like a change. You may even transform this into an alternative swaps event. Oh yeah, it happens! Organise an evening where everybody brings things they want to get rid of.

Start changing your home

Changing things from one room to another is a no-brainer. You’ll be impressed by how many valuable things you can find around your home! Like baskets, boxes, and vases, even plants are just some examples of things that can easily transition from one room to another when needed. So, whenever you feel you need something new for your redecoration, walk around your home and see if you already see it working! Changing your own home is something you will always do, and sticking to a defined colour palette will make it even more accessible in the future. When looking at, say, living room ideas, notice what you like about the object. You could have a similar piece of art or accessory in another room. If you have the same colours repeating throughout your home, you’ll be able to move things around very quickly! And while you walk around your home, keep the next point in mind.

Think outside the box

Creativity is often the solution to any problem. And when it comes to home decorating, it allows looking at things in a new light. In particular, if you let your creativity flow, you’ll realise that you don’t have to limit yourself to using an object for its original function! Here are some ways to think outside the box for your home decor. Are you looking for a new chest of drawers? Look into an old one, and then there is a world of resources on apps like Pinterest! It shows you how you can change something old into something new!

 Looking at objects creatively is also a sure way to save you some money. While at home, you may find something to reuse for a new function, for example. And while shopping, you may choose to purchase a less expensive item and use it unconventionally! Look at things creatively in a way that will stretch your budget. But they will not be sufficient for you to get a stunning style in your home. So, let’s move on and see some affordable interior design tips that can guide you in achieving the home of your dreams.

Choose your colour pallets

The number one thing that makes a home beautiful is the feeling of harmony throughout every space in the house. It shows you’ve put some thinking into the space's décor as a whole, and it’s a sure way to achieve a high-end feel. So before you go any further, set a direction for yourself; look through different styles and choose the one (or the mix) that you like the most. Create a new Pinterest board and collect pictures of rooms and objects you love! I personally love doing this. Then select the colour palette you will use. I think this should be done first thing as then you can start decorating accordingly. Choosing colours you like and that way you will not get bored of. In other words, you need to decide what you want your home to look like! This may seem obvious, but thinking it through upfront and collecting some examples will give you a visual reference and help you make the right decision whenever you are in doubt during the remodel!

Affordable design

Do you know the saying “Small details make a big difference”? This is totally true, and it’s also one of the best interior design tips! For example, a small thing like swapping the knobs of your kitchen cabinets can transform the look of the entire room from average to wow! Another small change that will elevate the look of your home is changing the handles of your doors to something that complements your style. And what about light switches and sockets? Updating or embellishing those plates will immediately make your home more stylish! All these may seem irrelevant at first, but I guarantee that if you implement one or two of those, you’ll already see a tremendous improvement in your home!

Accessorise

What if we told you that you could completely change the look and feel of your home with minimal expense and without touching any of your existing furniture? Sounds good as an affordable interior design solution, right? Well, that’s precisely what home accessories can do! Artworks, vases, cushions, trays, candles…the list can go on! Despite what some people think, all of these objects are not just minimal changes it can help your home in more than one way. First, accessories can freshen up a space, give an updated feel to older furniture and even cover flaws that have seen better days.

Second, by sticking to the same style and colour palette in all your accessories, you will immediately achieve a sense of harmony throughout the home. As I said, this is one of the main ingredients of a stunning home. Last but not least, accessories add character and personality, which is key to making your home really yours.

Get all those artistic tools like paintbrushes

A fresh coat of paint can solve many design problems. But walls are not the only thing you can paint! For example, painting the main space in a bold colour is still relatively uncommon, and it will surprise everyone entering your home! Or you can paint your doors (entrance door included) which will give a whole new character to space at a relatively low expense. And what about painting just your skirting boards?

When you choose your paint colour, you have two main choices. First, you may want to make your painting choice last as long as possible. To achieve that, opt for a versatile hue, one that you will not get tired of and will still work even if you decide to change your accent colour one day. Instead, choose a bold signature colour for your paint if you want to dare. The wow effect is guaranteed, and if you ever change your mind, all you’ll have to do is paint over it!

To achieve that, opt for a versatile hue that you will not get tired of, and that will still work even if you decide to change your primary colour one day. Or if it so happens, instead you want to dare choose a bold signature colour for your paint, The wow effect is guaranteed, and if you ever change your mind, all you’ll have to do is paint over it!

Create some focus area points

Walls are one of the most prominent surfaces in any space and have the potential to make a big difference in a design. Painting them is excellent, but it is only the first option when it comes to decorating a wall! There are plenty of inexpensive alternatives like removable wallpaper and decals. They’re easy to install and remove, and the effect is impressive! Sticky tiles are also an option. I personally love these! and they can be used in every room, including wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms.  Also, don’t forget the power of giant bold artwork! There are many budget-friendly options out there. You may also decide to DIY your art piece with colours, scrap fabrics, or papers! Whatever method you choose to dress your walls up, remember that a good wall décor will immediately add character to a room and create a beautiful feature. So, it may be all you need to spruce up a room.

Patterns and textures

Patterns and textures are unique tools in your interior design toolkit. First, they add depth to a surface, and therefore they will do wonders in updating your existing furniture think of the difference it makes to put new cushions on a sofa! But that’s not all that they can do! Patterns and textures are able to create a vibe in the space. Mix and match soft textures and muted patterns will immediately give a sense of cosiness, whereas bold, bright patterns and shiny textures will bring a more refreshing feel. So start by asking yourself which vibe you want your home to have. Then use patterns and textures to achieve that and of course, remember that you can go for different vibes in different areas of your home!

Your space conveys your very being

This is an essential décor tip to achieve a stylish home, but it also turns out to be one of the most effective to contain the budget! And it applies to virtually everything. By mixing different styles, you will achieve the one that reflects YOU—mixing expensive pieces with inexpensive furnishings. You will make the most of your budget and create your unique combinations. By combining new and vintage, you’ll create an interesting layered effect that will add character to your home. And by mixing things you already own in different ways, you may see them in a new light! In general, mixing things up opens new possibilities, and you never know what treasures you can find there!

lighting is key

Even the best home can be ruined by poor lighting… do not let it be your home!!! It doesn’t matter if it’s high-end or a more accessible design. When it comes to lighting, the best advice is layering. This will give you options to use the space in different ways. So, let’s sum up the main tips to achieve good lighting. Always start with overhead lighting, which generally lights up the room. Then add floor and table lamps. They will give you a spot to comfortably read and write, or by switching the general lighting off, they’ll create a softer ambience for the evening. Finally, add diffuse lights to help create a cosy vibe for those hosting events or those indulging evenings. For instance, candles and string lights are whimsical ways to set a relaxing mood! This could be a conservatory or an outdoor area.

Progression!

When working with time and budget constraints, chances are you will not get to redecorate your entire home all in one go. But you know what? This is not a problem at all! It may require a bit of mental training at first. But try to let go if things are not perfect everywhere. Taking time on your affordable interior design project will make the results, even more yours and the best part of it! Is that it all you! and you did it by yourself!

So here are 15 easy and affordable interior design tips to achieve the home of your dreams on a budget!

If you think hiring an interior designer will be out of budget, there are many resources and information online. Check out Decorilla. They offer extensive access to a catalogue of professional and affordable interior designers for any budget.

Once you start a project, you will be asked questions about your needs and tastes. Then you will receive design proposals from multiple designers, and you’ll get to choose your favourite.