Let’s be honest: your house should look like it belongs on Pinterest, but your wallet keeps telling you to “be realistic.” The good news is? You don’t need a lot of money or a magic wand to make your room look new and stylish. You may change your home without spending a lot of money if you use your imagination and think outside the box. Here’s how to make your home look expensive while living like a college student.
First, thrift stores are your new best friend
That ancient frame with the dust on it? With a can of spray paint, it may appear like something you found at a boutique. That vase with the chip? With some twine and glue, this is the perfect thing for a boho-chic makeover. The secret is to see value in things that other people think are trash. You may make old things into statement decor by sanding them down, painting them again, or even just moving them around in a different way. Thrifting is also good for the environment, so you’re saving the world one knickknack at a time.
Now, let’s talk about walls
Walls without art are sad, but art doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. You can frame pages from old books, establish a gallery wall with postcards, or even hang up fabric pieces as temporary tapestries. If you want to get really crafty, consider making your own abstract painting. Just get some cheap canvases and let your inner Picasso out. No one needs to know that it took you only 20 minutes and $10.
Lighting can make or break a room, and guess what?
To set the mood, you don’t need a magnificent chandelier. String lights instantly make a room feel warmer, and you can give your lamp a whole new look with a simple DIY lampshade like a colander, a basket, or even a painted mason jar. Candles in holders that don’t match or homemade lanterns can also make a room feel cosy without costing a lot of money.
Don’t underestimate how powerful it is to change the way things are arranged
A new arrangement may make a room feel brand new sometimes. Move furniture from one room to another, try out alternative rug placements, or just get rid of certain things to give your home more room to breathe. You don’t have to pay for it, it’s simple, and it can make you fall in love with your home all over again.
Finally, nature is the best way to decorate on a budget
Putting a few branches in a vase, some pressed leaves in frames, or even a bowl of pinecones may make your area feel more alive and natural. Another cheap approach to make things more interesting is to get houseplants. Start with easy-to-care-for plants like snake plants or pothos and see how your room changes.
What do you like best about DIY decor?
Each piece has its own tale. The coffee table you sanded down, the shelves you made from scrap wood, and the strange little statue you found at a thrift store that just works all make your home one of a kind. So get your glue gun ready, accept the flaws, and get ready to make your place look great on a budget.