When you move in to a new space it can be tempting to want to redecorate the entire thing immediately.
The problem with this is that it costs lots of money and tbh you have like $5. Thankfully this doesn’t mean you’re doomed to living in a sad-space forever—with a little patience, ingenuity and commitment to the cause you can have the space of your dreams without breaking the bank. Here, interior designer Courtney Molyneaux walks us through five tips on how to deck out your space on a dime:
1. Accessorize Wisely
I find the easiest way to fill a space on a budget is by accessorizing—finding pieces of artwork you love and creating a gallery wall, using variations of throw pillows or blankets can help tie a space together. These can add up quickly price-wise, so the key is to wait for sales and be really intentional about what you end up choosing. Pick pieces that feel timeless and that you know you’ll love for years to come. Think of it as an aesthetic investment!
2. One Man’s Trash
Visit the thrift store, and visit often. New things are added almost every day and secondhand items are always the cheapest. Vintage and thrift stores can be overwhelming, but the more you go and the more you know what you like, the easier and easier finding gems will be! My main tip is to try to go in without many expectations—finding exactly what you need isn’t a sure thing, but finding something random and incredible almost always is.
3. Read the Room
Books are one of my favorite items to help tie a space together, but they can also be not-so-friendly on the budget, so I would highly recommend scouring thrift stores and secondhand book shops for those as well. When in doubt—grab some pretty magazines! They’re usually cheaper and have beautiful covers that can serve as mini art pieces.
4. It’s Alive!
Plants are the gift that keeps on giving—check your local hardware store (i.e. Home Depot) for some hardy varieties and pot them yourself! Terra cotta pots are often cheap and finding cool ceramics at (yet again) thrift stories is always fun. Even if you’re like preeeetty terrible at keeping plants alive, there’s always a variety that can withstand even the blackest of thumbs—ask around or use your friend Google to find something that’ll work for you!
5. Wait it out
Like anything, building a space can take some time and it’s best to take be patient while you find what works for you and within your budget. Eventually, your collection of items just grows organically and before you know it you’ll have a space full of pieces you love that didn’t cost you an arm and a leg! Don’t get caught up in the excitement of moving in or the jealousy of staring at Instagram for too long—give yourself time and be thoughtful about your choices and you WILL have a home you’re proud of.
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