Home Decorating Ideas - 18 DIY Budget-Friendly Designs

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Okay, maybe you never saved up that huge decorating budget you’ve been dreaming of. You know, the one that was going to get you your dream kitchen or a magazine-worthy living room. Or maybe you had plans for the granddaddy of all DIY projects, but you just can’t take the time off to tackle it.

Don’t let money and time constraints stop you from making your home a fabulous place to be. When time is short, think “Simple is sensational!”

Then look to these eighteen easy home decor ideas that will step up your style without busting your budget.
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1. Take color to new heights with accent ceilings.

This hot new trend reminds us that ceilings don’t always have to be white. With just a can of paint you can add unexpected color to any room.

And if you’re feeling particularly bold try wallpapering the ceiling instead. No corners to figure out or outlets to work around, just wall-to-wall fun.

2. Tile your backsplash in a matter of minutes, not hours.

Smarttiles go on with no grout, no glue and no special tools. If you know your way around a ruler and a utility knife, you’ve got this.

Just peel and stick and you’ve got an instant kitchen or bath update. Check out their YouTube video above to see just how incredibly easy it is.

3. Refurbish your favorite furnishings with paint.

Do you love the lines of an old piece of furniture, but hate the idea of stripping and sanding it in preparation for a paint job? Many new paint formulas require no prep work!

Chalk paint was developed to go over almost any material from plastic to bricks, and allows you to mix colors without going muddy. Designer and Chalk Paint developer Annie Sloan points out, “There’s no need for tiresome priming and sanding – you can get straight to the fun bit!”

4. Upgrade your light switches for a more coordinated look.

Replace plastic builder’s grade switch plates with new covers for a more custom look. Invoke a period style with ornate metal plates. Or go high tech with switches and plates that do more. Since you usually have only one or two switch plates per room, they’re a quick and easy fix.
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5. Turn a plain hutch into a focal point with wallpaper.

For the cost of a roll of wallpaper you can make the inside of that dining room hutch a stunning eye catcher. Just cover the inside back with a colorful pattern. This works for bookshelves, too, providing a consistent backdrop for your books and decorative details.

6. Give yourself elbow room with a kitchen island.

Stylish and affordable portable islands provide extra counter space. Underneath you’ll have the extra storage every kitchen needs.

If you’re handy and you want something unique, consider reconfiguring an old dresser. They’re often just the right height, and you can add a countertop then finish it to coordinate with your kitchen.

7. Set a romantic atmosphere with sheers.

An overflow of billowy fabric translates to windows that feel more luxurious. And because sheers are the most affordable window treatments out there, you won’t mind doubling them up on the curtain rod.

If two sheers are enough to cover your window, go for four, instead! Or layer them by using a double rod of sheers behind your drapes.

8. Use plants to add life to your rooms.

It takes living things to make a room emotionally inviting. If your space feels a little too formal, a selection of houseplants may be what it needs.

One bold statement may be all it takes to soften the edges of the room. Or try a grouping or two of smaller plants on an end table.

9. Add architectural interest with a decorative chair rail.

Also known as a rub rail, this chair height molding protects your walls and adds interest to the room. If you don’t have carpentry skills there’s a peel and stick version, too. For added interest, try painting the lower wall a dark color and the upper wall a little lighter.

10. Take your countertops for granite

Yes, you can paint your kitchen cabinets and your countertops, too. Whether you’re longing for the look of stone or just want to freshen up a dated kitchen, take a look at Giani Granite.

Their easy paint-by-numbers process means you don’t have to be a great artist to paint a great kitchen.

11. Soften things up with interior curtains

A swoop of fabric may be just the thing to visually partition off a room. Use a ceiling track, or attach a rod directly to the ceiling. Let the drape fall between beds in a shared bedroom. Or place them next to the walls at each corner of that L-shape which separates the living room from the dining room.

12. Welcome yourself home with foyer décor.

The entry is usually the smallest room in the house and is the quickest to decorate. It requires few if any furnishings, but if you need a place to set things, a bench or a narrow console is a quick solution. Finish it off in style with a simple and changeable vignette of artwork, books and silk flowers.

13. Go vintage in the laundry room.

Beautiful vintage style jars are readily available in stores, so you can get the look without haunting flea markets. Instead of piling cleaning supplies on top of the washer and dryer, pull everything together with small item storage. It will help you contain everything from pods to clothespins in style.

14. Pull the room together with rugs.

Area rugs are one of the best way to secure a furniture grouping. If there are a lot of patterns in the room, go for one that’s mostly solid.

But if your room is more neutral, make a statement with a bold or ornate pattern on the floor. A multi-colored rug can also set the color scheme for you.

15. Look at your furniture from a different angle.

Sometimes all you need to freshen things up is to rearrange the room. If you just can’t imagine it any other way, start by removing everything from the room.

Starting with the largest items, try new configurations, even if it’s just pulling the furniture away from the walls. Don’t forget to switch out your artwork, too.

16. Get a handle on your cabinets.

For as little as two dollars each you can replace worn or dated drawer pulls, handles and knobs on your kitchen cabinets. Apartment Therapy suggests you count the pulls you’ll need before you go shopping.

And take one with you so you won’t have to redrill the holes. For rooms that only have two or three drawer pulls or handles, such as the laundry or bathroom, treat yourself by splurging on the more artistic styles.

17. Get classy with crown molding.

Rooms that look boxy and plain often benefits from a little architectural detail. But there’s no need to call the contractor. You can give any room the look of traditional architecture yourself in under an hour. Peel and stick crown molding is easily cut with just a pair of scissors and installs quickly.

18. Use color to step up in the world.

Painting the risers on your stairs different colors is a playful way to add style. A selection of sample size paint cans is the easy way to collect the colors you need.

Go for a variety of bright colors, variations on the same color, or choose a subtle palette of neutrals. And if you want to take it a step further, use stencils to add a little pattern or a few words of wisdom.

Start Decorating Your Home With Class!

Whether you’ve always loved to do-it-yourself, or you’re new to the idea, you’ll find it’s easy and fun to do your own home decorating. It doesn’t take a big budget to get started.

And you don’t need to be an artist or on a first-name basis with power tools. Just pick one of these simple home decor projects and roll up your sleeves. In no time you’ll be creating the looks you’ve been waiting for.

Don’t put your home on hold any longer! When you challenge yourself to favor creativity over cash, you’ll find your style is only limited by your imagination.
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