5 Ways to Upgrade Your Home Decor on a Budget
Upgrading your home decor doesn’t have to cost a fortune. In fact, there are plenty of affordable ways to give your home a high-end look.
Harmonize with color
Choosing colors that coordinate with each other will make your home look polished and sophisticated. This includes everything from paint to area rugs and furniture.
1. Repurpose Items You Already Have
One of the simplest ways to upgrade your home decor is by using what you already have. It’s not just about saving money, but also about reducing the amount of waste you produce.
Repurpose old table cloths, drapes and rugs for a fresh new look. Add a dash of paint to dated furniture to give it a quick refresher.
Shop your pantry and kitchen for items that can be used for decorative purposes, like clamshell containers. These can hold decorative accessories or be filled with sand for a DIY terrarium.
Turn a hodgepodge of frames and family photos into a wall display by selecting a unifying color, such as yellow. Then, shop for coordinating items that you can use in your display. This trick can work for any room in the house.
2. Add a Mirror
The perfect mirror can make a room feel bigger, brighter and more inviting. A cleverly positioned mirror across from a window can also help bring the outdoors in by reflecting the light and greenery outside, explains interior designer Jenna Choate.
Adding a decorative mirror to a room is a simple way to upgrade a space without breaking the bank. Choose a frame that reflects your style and create an interesting vignette around it with plants, art or other accessories.
A can of gold spray paint is an easy and inexpensive way to give any picture or mirror a modern and sophisticated look. You can even use this technique to refresh the frames of trays, coffee tables or other pieces in your home. Just be sure to protect your furniture and flooring when painting.
3. Upgrade Your Lighting
A good lighting upgrade is one of the most affordable ways to give your home a facelift. Replacing old fixtures, bulbs and switches with energy-efficient options can make a big difference in how a room looks, while also helping you save money on your electricity bills.
Look for options that have the ENERGY STAR label or feature a modern design to ensure your new fixtures will complement your home’s style. Then choose the size of your fixture or sconces carefully. A larger-scale fixture will be a focal point in a large space, while a smaller-scale fixture can serve as an accent piece flanking a piece of art or a mirror. Upgraded appliances can add a nice touch to your home. A complete home warranty may include protection against repair costs for these upgraded appliances.
Remember to layer your lighting, combining ambient (general) light with task and accent lights. This creates depth and dimension in a room and enhances your home’s aesthetic appeal.
4. Upgrade Your Hardware
Changing out cabinet hardware or drawer pulls is a fast, affordable way to upgrade the look of your home. Look for knobs, hinges, handles, and pulls in a modern finish such as brushed bronze, matte black, or even chrome to instantly add a more upscale look. It’s also a great way to freshen up an old piece of furniture, or to coordinate pieces that are otherwise mismatched.
While refacing kitchen cabinets or adding new doors makes a big impact, those projects can be costly and may not provide the highest return on investment. But updating your hardware is a quick and easy way to make your home feel newer, more up-to-date, and more appealing for today’s buyers. Plus, it’s an improvement you can easily reverse when you decide to sell your home.
5. Add Molding
Adding molding is one of the best ways to upgrade your home decor without breaking the bank. It’s an inexpensive way to add character and create a timeless look.
Paint is “money in a can,” and one good coat of paint can instantly make your space feel fresh and upgraded. You can get creative with paint colors and even use a wallpaper for an accent wall to add a pop of color or texture to a room.
Frame out windows with narrow strips of molding for a picture-framing effect. Or, give your walls a paneled look with wainscoting. Other inexpensive molding ideas include:
