Interior Design Tips for Redecorating on a Budget of $50 or Less

Ways to improve decor for less than $50, tips from interior designer

Mind your Walls

One of the easiest and most affordable ways to change the look of a room is by addressing its walls. Applying a fresh coat of paint can breathe new life into even the oldest rooms, as can hanging new wallpaper or art. But even if you’re not ready for such a big commitment, there are plenty of other less-invasive ways to make your walls more appealing.

Consider hanging family photos or pictures from travels in a gallery wall format. This trend utilizes multiple frames – which can often be found cheaply at thrift shops or garage sales – and arranges them artfully on a large wall space. It’s a creative way to an extra personal touch to your home for very little cash.

Alternatively, wall decals can offer a modern, customizable and easily removable alternative to traditional wallpaper. Many of these decals can be purchased for under $50 and applied in any configuration that you find pleasing.

A recent DIY project involved turning a large, plain wall into a statement piece by creating a geometric design with different colored wall decals. The materials were sourced from a local craft store, all within our budget of $50.

• Wall paint or wallpaper can drastically change the room’s vibe.
• Gallery walls are a cost-effective way to add personality to a room.
• Thrift shops and garage sales may have cheap frames for your art.
• Wall decals can create a customizable and modern look.
• Creating a statement wall remains one of the best, affordable ways to upgrade a space.
• Your local craft store likely has decals available.

Lift up Lighting

The right lighting can make the difference between a dreary, uninviting space and a warm, welcoming one. Surprisingly, upgrading your lighting doesn’t necessarily mean spending hundreds on new fixtures or professional installation.

A more budget-friendly approach is to change your current lightbulbs for ones with a warmer color temperature, as cooler lights tend to make rooms feel stark and cold. If you want to enhance this effect even further, use dimmers so that you can adjust the intensity of lights throughout the day and night to create different moods.

Another affordable and stylish option is to add table lamps or floor lamps. These additional sources of light can also serve as decorative elements themselves if chosen carefully.

The living room benefited greatly from targeted changes in lighting. Higher wattage bulbs were swapped for warmer hues, and strategically placed floor lamps eliminated shadow pockets, resulting in a cozier space whilst staying within the $50 limit.

• Light color temperature can affect the mood of a room.
• Different types of lights provide different vibes, such as sconces, pendant lights, and recessed lights.
• Additional lighting fixtures like table lamps are another affordable way to enhance your decor and provide extra illumination.
• Dimmable lights offer flexibility in setting the atmosphere of a room.
• A proper lighting plan can dramatically improve the look of your home.
• Look for sales or deals on light fixtures that fit your style.

Accessorize Artfully

In the world of interior design, accessories are a lot like the icing on the cake; they add the final touches that make a space really feel like home. And luckily, there are many ways to accessorize without blowing your budget.

A key strategy is to focus on smaller items that pack a big punch. Think throw pillows in vibrant colors or patterns, stylish coffee table books, or even a chic tray for your console or dining room table. Even something like an attractive blanket thrown over the back of your sofa can add texture and color with little cost attached.

Try creating thematic groups from your trinkets rather than scattering them around the house. Not only are these clusters more visually striking, but they also tell a story about you and your tastes.

A quick trip to the thrift store uncovered an array of colorful scarves that doubled as trendy throw pillows when stuffed with inexpensive fillers. Alongside these, a few timeless coffee table tomes added aesthetic appeal while being functional. And beneath that lay a unique, decorative tray – all these purchases falling under $50.

• Adding different textures in the room improves visual interest.
• Accessories should reflect your personality and style.
• Pops of color can rejuvenate a space. Consider adding vibrant accessories if your furniture is in neutral colors.
• Group decorating pieces together to make an impact.
• Themed accessories make your decor cohesive.
• Use items such as trays and baskets to provide function and beauty.

Repurpose Brilliantly

In the realm of interior designing, sometimes “new” does not necessarily mean better. With a bit of ingenuity and creativity, existing objects can be repurposed into elements that stand out brilliantly in your home setting. The mere idea of transforming seemingly ordinary objects into vibrant decorative pieces elevates the aesthetics of a place significantly.

If you’re looking at an old ladder, don’t merely see a tool; envision it as a unique bookshelf or a pretty pot rack. That antique kettle can turn into a stylish planter and would fetch compliments galore. Giving new purposes to everyday items not only saves money but is also an environmentally friendly option.

Be open to the idea of transforming objects that are often overlooked. You’d be surprised how much a fresh perspective can do for your home’s aesthetics and your wallet simultaneously. In essence, revamping things around in innovative ways can create stunning results.

An old wooden crate, collecting dust in garage, was repainted in a bright hue and repurposed as side table. Not only did this provide additional storage, it also added a pop of color into the room – all within our humble budget.

• Search your home for items that can be upcycled or repurposed.
• A fresh coat of paint can give new life to old furnishings.
• When looking at items, think outside the box for alternate uses. An old ladder could become a unique shelf.
• Consider turning an old piece of clothing into pillows or cushion covers.
• Even utilitarian pieces such as crates can become functional and decorative with a bit of creativity.
• Combining multiple smaller pieces can make a larger, statement display. For example, several colorful plates on a wall can create intriguing art.

Bring Life Indoors

Nature has a calming influence and can thus render any environment serene and inviting. Indoor plants not only improve room aesthetics but are also beneficial for air quality and mental health. With a variety available in all shapes and sizes, you can choose from tiny succulents to large potted indoor trees depending upon room size and light conditions.

To get started, identify areas in your home that could use some greenery. Maybe it’s the kitchen windowsill, a neglected corner of the living room, or perhaps the bathroom counter. Once you have your spots, head over to the local nursery or hardware store to find plants that suit those locations and your personal care commitment.

Apart from the greenery, pots too add character and color. Choosing visually appealing pots can double the statement – ceramic pots in geometric designs, bright colors or textured surfaces work well. Remember, plants are not just limited to the floor; hanging planters, floating shelves, table tops can house your green friends too.

A lonely corner of the living room was rejuvenated by a tall Monstera plant housed in a unique stoneware pot. The same corner also got an additional splash of color with a small snake plant in a bright yellow pot. Purchasing these at a plant sale meant the total cost stayed below $50.

• Adding indoor plants enhances both the aesthetics and air quality of your room.
• You can use colorful, unique pots and planters to boost decorative impact.
• Different types of plants require different lighting conditions, so choose plants accordingly.
• Hanging plants or adding a green wall provides interesting visuals.
• Choose low-maintenance plants if you’re worried about care-taking uptime.
• Height variation, using tall and short plants, adds depth to interior decor.

Edit and Organize

While it might not be the most glamorous tip on this list, sometimes the best thing you can do to improve the look of a space is simply to clean and declutter it. Clutter can make rooms look smaller, more chaotic, and less stylish than they actually are. Thus, a tidy and well-organized area enables clearer thought and creates a calm environment.

Any organizational strategy starts with editing. This process involves looking critically at every item in each room and asking yourself whether it adds functional or aesthetic value. If the answer is no to both, it might be time for that item to move on.

Post-editing, employ organizational tools and implement systems to keep everything in its place. From dividers inside drawers and baskets under the coffee table to floating shelves on the wall, every tool can make your home more organized and visually appealing.

The desk workspace was transformed using a mixture of organization tools within our budget. Installing drawer dividers sorted stationary clutter, and installing a board with hook attachment contained art supplies in a visually pleasing way- all without exceeding $50.

• Organizing and decluttering your space can drastically enhance its appearance.
• Incorporate storage solutions into decor elements.
• Use drawer organisers, baskets, or hangers to improve functionality.
• Consolidate smaller items into one stylish container.
• Utilize overlooked spaces such as under the bed or high up on walls.
• Apply the edit process frequently to avoid accumulation of unnecessary items.

Fabulous Fabric Makeover

Never underestimate the power of fabric to change the look of a room. Tailored slipcovers can spruce up tired sofas or chairs, colorful throw blankets can add layers of colors and textures, and new curtains can completely alter the amount and quality of light a room receives.

For an inexpensive approach, explore clearance sections of fabric stores, thrift shops, or online sites for discounted textiles. Do remember while purchasing that machine washable fabrics are often easier to maintain than ones which require dry cleaning.

Fabric options aren’t limited to furniture or windows, either. Consider wrapping a piece of thick styrofoam with a nice fabric for art, making your own placemats for the dining table, or even replacing posters in frames with attractive, coordinating fabric.

The living room received a fabric facelift by switching out dull, worn-out curtains for lighter, brightly colored ones. Further, a vintage throw rug from a charity shop became an art piece on the wall enabling tangible transformation while staying tight to our budget cap.

• Updating cushion covers and drapes can give your room a fresh makeover.
• Opt for machine washable fabrics for an easy-care approach.
• Scour sales and online websites for discounted fabric options.
• Bright rugs or throws can add color to your room’s palette.
• Consider adding fabric details to other decor elements like tabletops.
• An artful display of fabric can become a focal point in a room.

Dress your Windows

Windows are often one of the overlooked areas when it comes to home decor, yet they have tremendous potential to influence the overall look of any room. Thankfully, decorating windows doesn’t necessarily require expensive custom blinds or high-end draperies. There are numerous inexpensive solutions that can add style, afford light control, and provide privacy.

Tension rods paired with lightweight curtains offer a simple and budget-friendly way to dress up any window. You can also use sheer curtains behind heavier ones which allow comfortable regulation of sunlight throughout the day. Or consider using window film. These adhesive films come in a variety of patterns and transparencies and can offer privacy without blocking light completely.

You don’t even have to limit yourself to just typical window treatments. Consider hanging some unique artwork or mirrors to frame your windows, or decorative shelves filled with plants, books, or knick-knacks.

Nominally priced sheer ivory curtains were installed to ensure privacy and still didn’t obstruct daylight. Moreover, a pair of wall-mounted herb planters on either side added an infusion of green and pleasant natural aroma around the window area. The total cost remained well below $50.

• Window dressings significantly enhance room aesthetics.
• Choose curtains, blinds or shutters that match your decor style.
• You can create a layered look with sheer curtains behind thick ones.
• Tension rods are a handy, budget-friendly solution for hanging lightweight curtains.
• Incorporate elements like art, mirrors, or decorative shelves to complement window detailing.
• Exercise creativity by considering DIY window treatment projects.

Nail your Furniture Placement

The correct arrangement of furniture creates flow, defines spaces and elevates the overall aesthetics of a room – all without spending a penny. Guided placement that respects the functionalities and overall layout can make rooms more inviting, operationally smooth, and aesthetically pleasing.

When thinking about where to place furniture, focus not only on how you will move through the room but also on how your eye will naturally scan it. Arrange pieces so they guide the eye from one part of the room to another, and try not to obstruct pathways or views into other rooms.

Also worth considering is utilizing multi-functional pieces such as ottomans with storage or nesting tables which can be tucked away when not needed. Further, large objects in small rooms should be placed against walls to maximize open space and small items can be grouped together for better impact.

Simply moving the couch along the length of the living room and placing side chairs at 90-degree angles created a snug conversation space while still opening up the rest of the room. A floor rug from the bedroom was repurposed in this space; the final look made the room much more welcoming and functional, all with zero financial investment.

• Consider furniture placement for a quick and free makeover.
• Multifunctional pieces save space and money.
• Ensure the arrangement is harmonious rather than haphazard.
• Create a focal point in your room and arrange furniture to highlight it.
• Avoid obstructing walkways or views to other rooms.
• Large objects should be positioned closer to walls in smaller spaces.