26 savvy budget decorating ideas to update your home for less

Giving your home a refresh, doesn't mean you have to shell out the big bucks, as these budget decorating ideas prove. We all want to watch our pennies, so easy updates that can ring the changes, but not cost the earth, are at the top of most peoples list!

Small updates, like an easy DIY project or a bit of strategic styling, really can make a big difference. All they usually need is a trip to the attic or shed and some free time. While sometimes you may not have everything on hand, anything you don't already have can be picked up at bargain prices.

Even if you're not a dab hand at DIY, many of these ideas just take a bit of enthusiasm and a little creativity – and if it's a rainy day, why not use them as a project for everyone to get involved with?

Budget decorating ideas

'Decorating a new house doesn't always require buying all new things,' says Nadia McOwan-Hill Wayfair's Resident Style Advisor. 'Rather than purchasing new furniture or decor pieces, upgrade the items you already own with stylish new hardware or paint.'

'Drab kitchen cabinets can be transformed by decorative knobs, and grungy walls can come to life after a fresh coat of paint. Accent the inside of dresser drawers with wallpaper, or paint a unique design on the arms of a basic wooden side table – small upgrades like these will make a difference.'

If you're on a tight budget, you're most definitely not alone, so budget decorating ideas will help you improve your space without the usual price tag.

1. Display collections

Many items which you might already have collected over the years are perfectly suited to becoming a statement display. Instead of being stuck away, unseen and unused in cupboards, your prized possessions can enjoy the spotlight they deserve.

Some of the easiest items to mount for are collections of plates, shallow bowls, baskets and even clothing items like hats. To make them work at the best of their ability, do consider the placement. For example, plates as dining or kitchen wall decor and something like a hat in a hallway or bedroom.

When it comes to attaching items to the wall, make sure you do your due diligence. If you're using Command Strips, ensure you've chosen the strip and hook for the weight of your piece. For breakable items, it's worth going a bit more niche. Disc Plate Hangers, available on Amazon, are a tried-and-tested solution.

2. Play with dimensions

Create a unique display by playing around with dimensions. For example, combine photos of succulents with small potted succulents on floating shelves, or drawing of shells with their real-life counterpart. Just choose whatever you love and that you have easy access to.

To make sure they all work together before you start drilling or hanging Command Hooks, lay everything on the floor in the chosen arrangement and take a picture of the display from directly above to check.

3. Create a fabric hanging

You don't need to spend a fortune on artwork to decorate your walls, you can make your own! A piece of fabric, an old duvet cover, a favourite scarf, or even a charity shop sourced dress, can simply be stretched over a canvas and stapled into place.

If you have enough fabric left over and those creative juices are really flowing then you could make a couple of cushion covers too, to tie the room together.

4. Update doors with fluted film

Use glass film to transform a plain display cabinet into an up-to-date storage piece and help to prevent chips and scratches. The contemporary fluted or reeded window glass film can be bought at both Amazon and specialist companies such as PurlFrost.

However, you by no means have to stick to this design, as depending on your home and style, it may be better to opt for a stained glass or patterned film instead.

Whatever you go for, make sure not to overcrowd the shelves inside. Instead, thoughtfully stack bowls, books and objects with interesting shapes to create balance in your display.

5. Repaint your chairs

Whether it's your plain dining room chairs or your wooden bar stools, simply dip them in paint for a whole new look to check off your budget decorating ideas.

Painting furniture is an easy job – all you really need (aside from the paint!) is the patience to do so and then to let it dry. Unless you're considering this because you want to know what to do with leftover paint, then it's worth exploring the best paint for furniture to ensure longevity.

6. Stencil drawer fronts

Bespoke a budget chest of drawers from Ikea with a simple chevron stencil, which you can pick up for around £6 on Amazon.

Stipple on furniture paint using a dry, coarse-haired paintbrush. Finish with a clear matt varnish and leather tab handles.

7. Change door handles

Give kitchen units a cheeky update by swapping drawer and cupboard handles for a new design. Cup handles and simple door knobs work well in a Shaker-style kitchen. Bar handles are also very popular just now and will suit any modern kitchen scheme.

If you're unsure what's best for your space, learning how to choose cabinet handles for your scheme when selecting the right style to use in these budget decorating ideas will make things more straightforward.

8. Rotate your collections

Use your living room’s natural focal points as a means of displaying your favourite pieces. If the room doesn’t have a built-in feature such as a fireplace, create a focal point of your own with a striking console table or pair of bookcases.

Rotating your displays regularly provides an instant refresh and prevents a scheme from being too static. It's one of the easiest living room updates you can do and can take as little or as long as you want it to.

Vary height, shape and texture, but stick to a palette of two or three colours for a cohesive look. As well as hanging artwork, trying propping it too for a casual look.

9. Make a basket lampshade

For one of the more hands-on budget decorating ideas, remove the handles of a basket, like the Snidad from Ikea, and spray with black spray paint. Cut a small circle into the base, add an oversized bulb, attach to a co-ordinating black flex and you'll have a designer-look lampshade before you know it!

10. Display framed wallpaper

Frame samples or offcuts of wallpaper in identical frames, using a white mount for a formal effect. Choose simple frames, so the patterns are the focus and use different patterns in a similar colour palette.

You could even use offcuts of fabric or scrapbooking materials if you don't have wallpaper to hand.

11. Highlight features with paint

Paint ideas are always a good ideas, and a painted border is perfect for drawing attention to details like period door frames and deep skirting boards. If you already have colour on the walls, choose a deeper shade.

Use a ruler and spirit level to draw a border around 5cm wide and use decorating tape (we're fans of Frog Tape, available on Amazon) to achieve a crisp edge.

12. Rearrange your layout

Feng shui your room by moving furniture around to welcome in natural sunlight, surround the fireplace or clear the doorway. Furniture can look completely different at a new angle and it's one of the most budget decorating ideas given it doesn't cost a thing.

In fact, some furniture layouts can make a space feel happier and more welcoming, according to designers and feng shui experts. Who wouldn't want that?!

As Angela Scanlon, stylist and presenter of Your Home Made Perfect says: 'Moving furniture around is a massive test on how you feel in a room and can make you feel like you've done something quite radical.'

13. Style your shelves

Whether you want to keep favourite reads easily to hand or display beautiful trinkets, you cannot go wrong with a simple shelving idea. Shelves are obviously practical, but they also offer the opportunity to add character to your scheme.

14. Hang a photo gallery

Photo gallery wall ideas are creative ways to cover a bare wall or a cheerless corner. Experiment with shapes, sizes and frame designs and put anything from old family photos to children's drawings up there.

'Gallery walls can fill up the large blank wall sitting in your bedroom or living room. If you don’t have a large wall free, you can create gallery walls around features like doorways and windows to add fun detail,' says Nadia from Wayfair.

15. Display artwork

Gather all your artwork out of the loft and finally get round to hanging it! Or if you've got some time to kill and a few spare quid, head to your local charity shop or car boot sale for some new wallet-friendly pieces so you can still count this as one of your budget decorating ideas.

Much like a photo gallery, hanging your artwork or propping it up on top of side tables will keep blank walls busy and give the room a revamp. If your existing frames, or the only ones you can pick up, are plain and not giving you any joy, then there are easy ways to update frames for some bonus style points.

16. Paint your own artwork

As well as using art you already own, or finding hidden treasures when you're out and about, you can make your own – and, yes, that's even for those of us who don't naturally fall into the 'artistic' camp.

Pick an easy style and remember that the more abstract an angle you go for, the less mistakes matter. You could make this more sociable by inviting some friends round for a DIY paint and sip night and ask everyone to bring any open tins of paint they have hanging around.

17. Upcycle furniture

If you're thinking about throwing out a piece of well-worn furniture, stop! Take another look and see if you might be able to upcycle it. A coat of paint or varnish, wallpaper or upholstery, are easy ways to use budget decorating ideas to give an unloved piece another go.

The same goes on if you pick up an uninteresting piece. 'Save money by buying inexpensive, neutral furniture pieces (like chest of drawers, headboards and coffee tables), secondhand shopping or by collecting family hand-me-downs – these basic pieces are the perfect canvases for DIY decoration,' advises Nadia from Wayfair

'Make these pieces your own with decorative knobs, patterned wallpaper or paint in your favourite shade.'

18. Add some greenery

Plants breathe life into any space and add a gorgeous hit of colour. For an elevated look play with a mixture of standing planters, pots set onto shelves and hanging baskets.

Not green fingered? Don't worry - this tip doesn't have to pass you by, as faux plants offer their own benefits, both in terms of style and wellbeing.

19. Dress a bookcase

Bookcases are a natural budget decorating idea, and they're just begging to be styled. Add colour through books and accessories. To break up the repetitive nature of a book collection, trying creating ‘breathing space’ in a scheme by using some shelves for decorative accessories, again tying in two or three colours for a unifying effect. T

Add in objects, too, for texture and depth. The rule of three is the shortcut to displaying these in a professional way.

20. Make more of a coffee table

However small or large your living room, a coffee table adds a decorative and practical note. Use it to display books, candles and flowers and switch your accessories around every so often will help to keep things fresh and seasonal.

To maximise storage you'll want to look for a version with shelving or an upholstered ottoman that opens up. In smaller living rooms, glass tables will be a good idea as they won't dominate attention.

21. Mismatch furniture

Got your eye on a junk shop find, but worried it won't fit in with your existing pieces? Mismatched furniture is far cooler than you think.

Seating is a prime example - different colours or styles can look great. So if you've found a colourful chair and love it, don't feel you have to purchase a whole new set.

22. Neaten up with baskets

Anyone who loves interiors knows that storage is their friend. Make a feature of your storage with woven boxes or pretty baskets - not only will they give you extra space to store things in a calm and uncluttered way, but they'll add warmth and texture as well.

23. Display fresh flowers

It practically goes without saying but fresh cut flowers are an easy and affordable way of turning a room round in a flash. They require absolutely no effort as you can go as big or small as you like – even a single bloom can look great.

24. Update soft furnishings

Updating a rug, cushions or fabrics can all have an uplifting effect. Try changing your cushions with the seasons opting for delicate florals, painterly prints and light graphics as spring approaches and heavier textures and deeper colours in the winter.

25. Make a display of your bath towels

Bath towels are an essential and are often slung over the back of doors or rolled up in the cupboard. Make a statement with them by displaying the beautiful ones and treating them as your own pieces of bathroom art.

26. Create a focal point

Create a focal point by placing one large mirror, a bright piece of artwork or even a giant lamp centre stage. This will change the dynamic of the scheme and give off the appearance of an entire room renovation.

FAQs

How can I decorate my house cheaply?

There are lots of ways to decorate your house cheaply and on a budget. Once no-brainer is decorating with items you already own, such as arranging your favourite crockery and glassware or revamp reclaimed chairs and tables.

Instead of buying something new, there are so many creative things you can do, you just have to know where to splurge and save. These tips for decorating on a budget will really help get your creative juices flowing.

It could be as simple as decorating with candles to add cosiness to a space and the soft, dim light will change the whole look of a room. Another budget decorating tip is to introduce plants, fresh flowers (bought or picked form your garden) and display bowls of fruit, which instantly lifts mood and adds scent.

Sometimes all you need to do is declutter a room to give it a new lease of life. Make the most of your existing pieces and move things around so things look fresh. You could add new handles and knobs to furniture to give them a zhuzh. Style bookshelves by arranging books and add art, ornaments and mementos to add character.

How do you set a budget for decorating?

Decorating can be expensive, particularly if you have to revamp a whole room or a whole house all at the same time. Before you do anything, you'll need to think about creating a decorating budget so you don't splash too much cash.

The first thing you should do is to make a wishlist of things you'd love to feature in your home. Make a moodboard or create a Pinterest board to get a feel for what you like and what you don't. For example, will you want to paint or learn how to wallpaper? Or perhaps you fancy a feature wall idea.

Once you've figured out your likes and dislikes, it's time to create a budget for each of the rooms you need to redecorate. Make sure you are totally honest about your expenses and figure out how much you can actually afford to spend.

Creating a decorating plan will help you figure out the actual look of the rooms, working from your wish list. Include everything from what the floor plan will look like and any extras like wallpaper, lighting, and artwork.

Once you've figured out what you want to have, it's a good idea to shop around for the right items to make sure you don't overspend on products you can get cheaper somewhere else. Think about delivery and any other costs associated so everything you're totting up is realistic. Be savvy!

Next you'll probably need to narrow things down further as more than likely, your budget doesn't tally up with your wishlist.

Make sure you think about the practical needs of the rooms first, making adjustments where you can to get the things you need as opposed to want. For example, think about a sofa over decorative accessories like wall art or a mirror. Priorities are very individual so think carefully about what will be needed first and foremost.

How can I decorate my house for free?

There are lots of savvy ways to decorate your house for free. A few simple ways include rearranging your furniture so you get a fresh perspective on the room in question.

There are plenty of winning upcycled furniture ideas that require minimal effort (or talent) like recycling old jars for vases and centrepieces, painting existing furniture or decorating with flowers from your garden.

Another decorating idea that doesn't cost a thing is decluttering. It's amazing the difference a little decluttering makes to a room and it's good for the soul to get rid of things you never use and pop in a charity shop for someone else to love.

Just like fashion swaps, you could organise a decor swap with friends to get rid of things you no longer want and find some new things you'll be thrilled to display. Win-win! Or you could sell any decor you think is worth selling on Gumtree or Ebay and use the money you earn to buy something you love.