Budget Decorating Ideas Living Room

DAVID TSAY

Nothing beats redecorating a room and feeling like you've walked into a brand-new house. For a fresh look that's easy on your wallet, we've rounded up some clever ideas for decorating on a budget that don't skimp on style. Whether you're looking for DIY projects to spruce up your living room or tips for kitchen remodel ideas that won't break the bank, this list has it all. Many of these projects are ones that people of any skill level can tackle, from decorating with items you already have (such as creative ways to arrange your glassware) to painting thrifted chairs or tables (if you've never done it before, check out how to paint furniture first).

Before you head out to buy something new, see if there's something on this list that inspires you. Maybe you'll decide to DIY your own wallpaper (hint, use paint!) or turn an old ladder into a makeshift shelving unit. If you're still itching for something new, there are tips for finding cheaper options, such as opting for removable wallpaper or buying a bistro table instead of a full kitchen table. So before you start your renovations, take a look at these ingenious tricks for decorating on a budget.

decorating on a budget shelving

KIM CORNELISON

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Shelves Over Cabinets

In this kitchen, the cabinetry is contained to just the lower half of the room, while shelves and hanging rails are used in place of cabinets up top.

SHOP HANGING RAILS

decorating on a budget bench

KIM CORNELISON

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Recycled Barn Wood Bench

The bench in this mudroom was made with a piece of old barn wood painted white. A fix like this is not only low-cost, but also simple to create.

SHOP PAINT BRUSHES

decorating on a budget kitchen chairs

KIM CORNELISON

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Salvaged Kitchen Chairs

These kitchen chairs were found at Goodwill and spray-painted to look brand new.

SHOP SPRAY PAINT

decorating on a budget handmade wallpaper

KIM CORNELISON

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Hand-Painted "Wallpaper"

This pattern is actually hand-crafted, using just a sponge brush and some leftover paint. It completely transforms the room and costs nothing if you already have the items at home.

SHOP SPONGE BRUSHES

decorating on a budget clothes rack

DAVID TSAY

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Clothes Rack

If you're lacking a closet or you just need another space to hang some clothes, use a clothes rack that will save on space and money.

SHOP CLOTHES RACKS

decorating on a budget painted coffee table

KIM CORNELISON

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Painted Coffee Table

Instead of purchasing an expensive new coffee table, give your current one a fresh look with a new coat of paint that matches your decor.

SHOP PAINT BRUSHES

decorating on a budget bistro table

DAVID TSAY

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Bistro Kitchen Table

If you're tight on space and cash, opt for a small bistro table for your kitchen dining needs instead of a large on. Outfit it with charming chairs, like these comfy wicker ones.

SHOP CHAIR CUSHIONS

Bedroom, Bed, Furniture, Room, White, Property, Interior design, Wall, Bed frame, Bed sheet,

Brian Woodcock

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DIY Wallpaper

Instead of dropping a ton of cash on an expensive print, craft your own with paint and a pretty stencil. The homeowner of this Mississippi farmhouse created her own stencil to make this custom pattern.

Kitchen, Countertop, Room, Furniture, Cabinetry, Property, Tile, Interior design, Wall, Material property,

Buff Strickland

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Showcase Collectibles

It only takes a few special antiques to start a collection. Take a cue from the owner of this cozy Texas bungalow and grow your group with a handful of extraordinary originals and less expensive replicas, then display your prized items in a group on shelves.

SHOP PITCHERS

Furniture, Room, Interior design, Chair, Yellow, Pink, Table, Living room, Home, Wall,

Annie Schlechter

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New Paint

A fresh coat of white paint brightened up this living room. The homeowner used a mortar wash treatment, known as a "German smear" to ensure the fireplace looked authentically aged look.

SHOP PAINT BRUSHES

White, Furniture, Room, Dining room, Table, Interior design, Chair, Product, Home, Floor,

Annie Schlechter

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Drop Cloths

This home's 12-foot ceilings called for an abundance of drapery fabric, so the owner opted for budget-friendly painters' drop cloths.

SHOP CURTAIN RODS

sofa

Tara Donne

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Go to an Estate Sale

Set against the beautifully distressed plaster walls, the camelback sofa pictured here came from a winning $20 bid at a local estate sale.

transformed closet

David Hillegas

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Transformed Closet

Turn a closet into a simple craft "room" by covering the doors with pegboard.

Furniture, Room, Bed, Bedroom, Shelf, Shelving, Interior design, Bed sheet, Property, Wall,

Helen Norman

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Vintage Bookcase

These bookcases were made out of old peach crates borrowed from a friend's farm.

White, Room, Furniture, Interior design, Green, Wall, Table, Turquoise, Living room, Shelf,

Brian Woodcock

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Decorate with Glassware

A mix of old and new glassware sit on these white shelves, including green handblown wineglasses that add a pop of color to the open shelving.

Table, Alarm clock, Clock, Room, Party favor, Plant, Still life, Wedding favors, Flower, Home accessories,

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Make a Tray

Repurpose mirrors as trays by applying felt backing to their undersides. —Jonathan O'Hea, Jonathan O'Hea Antiques & Design

Mason jar, Product, Textile, Tableware, Label, Chemical compound,

Miki Duisterhof

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Label Canisters

Put an end to kitchen-counter confusion: Use chalkboard paint or decals to create labels on glass canisters. You'll always know whether you're scooping salt or sugar, and you can erase and change the wording whenever you like. —Jen Jafarzadeh L'Italien, the Haystack Needle

Shelf, Shelving, Furniture, Cabinetry, Hutch, Room, China cabinet, Bookcase, Cupboard, Wood,

Dana Gallagher

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Make It Roll

Casters are the ultimate quick-change agents. These babies impart height and mobility to almost anything. Attach 'em to a farm table and voilà: It becomes an extra-large kitchen island with serious moves. Pop some wheels on a crate and you've got storage that rolls easily underneath a counter. The possibilities are truly endless. —Paige Schnell, Tracery Interiors

Room, Furniture, Table, Interior design, Wall, Picture frame, Watercolor paint, Painting, Art, House,

Studio D

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Make a Chair Rail

Amp up the architectural drama! Installing a chair rail can be a cinch — especially with stick-on molding. Paint the areas above and below it with two different shades of the same color for even more va-va-voom. —Leah Shirey, houseobsession.com

SHOP STICK-ON MOLDING

Glass bottle, Barware, Bottle, Glass, Tableware, Home accessories,

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Light Up a Jug

From empty jars to illuminating conversation pieces: Fill a glass jug with Christmas lights to fashion a tricked-out table lamp. —Sirpa Cowell, textile designer

Bathroom, Bathroom accessory, Wall, Room, Sink, Mirror, Plumbing fixture, Bathroom sink, Tap, Ceramic,

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Install a New Faucet

Replace your bathroom sink's faucet with a larger, kitchen-size version to give the fixture a unique, bespoke feel. —Abigail Ahern, Atelier Abigail Ahern

Glass bottle, Bottle, Wine bottle, Yellow, Mason jar, Home accessories, Still life, Vase, Drinkware, Tableware,

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Bottle Display

Snag a stained glass effect in seconds. Just display colored-glass jars, glasses, and vases on windowsills or bookshelves. —Thomas Jayne, Thomas Jayne Studio

Door, Yellow, Green, Home door, Turquoise, Room, Wood, Window, House, Plant,

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Paint Your Door

For an affordable exterior upgrade, paint your front door an unexpected shade, like buttercup-yellow or chartreuse-green. The result: a happy punctuation point that modernizes an old house yet doesn't compromise its historic character. —Carol Bokuniewicz, Carol B Design

Lampshade, Lamp, Lighting accessory, Lighting, Light fixture, Nightlight, Table, Glass, Interior design,

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Switch Out a Lamp Shade

A lift for tired lamps: Enliven a blah base with a sprightly shade. Bonus: a garden theme is guaranteed to keep winter blues at bay!

house numbers

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Change Your Numbers

Power in numbers: Fanciful house numbers instantly increase curb appeal. —Charles Fernandez, style and market assistant

SHOP NUMBERS

Bathroom, Room, Property, Blue, Bathroom cabinet, Sink, Interior design, Bathroom accessory, Furniture, Plumbing fixture,

Lincoln Barbour

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Install a Mirror

A single well-placed mirror has the power to make a small room seem larger. For a custom look on the cheap, have mirrored glass cut to fit a beautiful vintage frame. —Betsy Burnham, Burnham Design

Yellow, Room, Interior design, Wall, Building, Furniture, Wallpaper, Table, Home, House,

Max Kim-Bee

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Paint the Ceiling

Don't ignore the ceiling! Though most people default to white paint overhead, color gives you something interesting to look at. Gray-blues, lavenders, and buttery yellows draw the eye up without being too brash. —Olga Naiman, aparat.us

Yellow, Textile, Table, Tablecloth, Quilting, Linens, Patchwork, Pattern, Home accessories, Quilt,

Miki Duisterhof

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Make a Runner

A bunch of humble rag rugs add up to one stunning runner. Don't sew? Ask your local dry cleaner or upholsterer to stitch the mats together. —Sirpa Cowell, textile designer

Text, Font, Brown, Rectangle, Mat, Door mat, Beige, Interior design, Stock photography, Home accessories,

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Update Your Mat

Try this snazzy solution for ho-hum sisal: Stencils offer a foolproof way to bring pattern to a plain rug. Be sure to work with an oil-based paint, then protect it with a clear sealant. Or if you prefer a distressed finish, skip the sealant and lightly sand the painted surface. —Alexa Hampton, Mark Hampton LLC

RELATED: 17 Funny Doormats That Say Everything We're Thinking

Octopus, Room, Wall, Interior design, Cephalopod, Marine invertebrates, Design, Furniture, Table, Wallpaper,

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New Shower Curtain

The easiest bathroom redo ever? A new shower curtain! —Sasha Emerson, Sasha Emerson Design

SHOP SHOWER CURTAINS

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Erin Cavoto Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more.

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