With remote work and cozy nights at home here to stay, Americans are yearning for fresh, inviting spaces — but a full makeover isn’t necessarily in the budget. Or will your space need that little extra something to hit the heights of fabulousness that top US interior designers including Joanna Gaines, Nate Berkus, and Justina Blakeney swear by with affordable tricks to elevate any room? From thrift flips to DIY magic, here’s how to refresh your space on a budget.
10 Budget-Friendly Home Decor Ideas
1. Thrift Store Treasure Hunts
“Any thrift store is a treasure trove,” Joanna Gaines. Search old frames, lamps, or side tables. A coat of matte black spray paint or contemporary knobs can transform dingy pieces into stylish, shabby-chic staples. Tips: Check local Facebook Marketplace or Goodwill for more mid-century modern finds.
2. DIY Abstract Art
Skip the $500 canvases. Justina Blakeney advocates for DIY art: stretch colorful textile over a canvas, pile paint samples, frame old postcards. For a daring wall, gather mismatched thrifted frames for a gallery feel.
3. Paint: The Ultimate Budget Game-Changer
A galt of paint for $30 rejuvenates walls, cupboards or dated furniture. Emily Henderson “uses warm earth tones like sage green or terracotta for instant cozi-ness.” Bonus: Paint the interior doors black for a luxe contrast.
4. Feng Shui Flip: Rearrange Furniture
Designer Nate Berkus swears rearranging doesn’t cost a cent (but can change everything). Experiment with floating sofas away from walls, establishing conversation areas, or swapping rooms (convert a guest bedroom to a yoga nook).
5. Statement Lighting on a Dime
Replace builder-grade fixtures with $50 plug-in pendant lights (Amazon or IKEA) or thrift store chandeliers. For a modern edge, Bobby Berk recommends matte black or brass finishes.
6. Textile Layering
Change out throw pillows, curtains, and rugs seasonally. Shea McGee combines patterns (stripes + florals) and textures (linen + velvet) for depth. Target and H&M Home have trendy affordable options.
7. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Accents
Demure and inexpensive, temporary wallpaper packs a punch in small spaces. Jungalow-approved prints: tropical botanicals or geometric shapes in entryways or behind beds.
8. Greenery for Life and Style
Plants = instant vibrancy: Hilton Carter Propagate succulents and hang pothos in macramé; stick a $10 Trader Joe’s orchid in a thrifted vase.
9. Open Shelving Displays
Swap upper cabinets for open shelves to display thrifted dishes, plants or books. Studio McGee styles shelves in thirds, she says: stacks (of books), heights (vases) and greenery.
10. High-Low Mix
Nate Berkus’s signature move: combine a vintage rug (eBay) and an Amazon sofa. Indulge in one big hero item (a graphic mirror) and cut elsewhere.
Conclusion
You don’t need a Kardashian-sized budget to design a home that impresses. What will the first idea you try be? Tag us in your #BudgetMakeover pics or DM us—we’d love to post your transformation!
