Decorating on a Budget


Are you in a design rut but don’t want to break the bank? We understand! Having a change in design in your home can bring refreshed energy to your space. Different designs can also be aesthetically pleasing! If you are looking to decorate your home, here are 12 tips to decorate on a budget. 


  1. Switch out accent pillows. This is a relatively cheap way to freshen up your space. For a cheaper option, swap out the pillowcases instead of the whole pillow.
  2. Make artwork to hang in your home. This doubles as a fun craft night and a DIY decorating idea. The great thing about this is that it will add a unique touch to your home. 
  3. Rearrange furniture. Sometimes you don’t need to buy anything new, you just need to rearrange what you already have! 
  4. Frame family pictures. Family pictures add a personal touch to your home. They can make for great gallery walls. A great way to plan out your gallery wall is to cut out construction paper to match your picture size. Then you can play around with how you’d like to arrange your pictures using the paper on your wall!
  5. Repaint furniture. Keeping the same furniture while adding a color change is a sure way to change up your space! 
  6. Repaint the walls. Roll up your sleeves and get dirty!! Have fun with it. This is easiest for those who have a neutral color palette so they don’t have to change the whole room to match.
  7. Create your own DIY centerpieces. There are so many different seasonal centerpiece ideas online. Our favorite is to use a clear vase to hold fake flowers with marbles in the middle. You can buy all of the supplies at Michaels for an easy, but elegant, centerpiece. 
  8. Add a table runner. This is a simple way to decorate your dining area. This adds a touch of elegance to your table. You can choose any color or style to your liking making the options with this endless. 
  9. Use mother nature. A free way to decorate is to cut some branches and put them in a vase for a fresh look. This is especially a good idea during fall when the leaves change colors. It adds a pop of color to your place and is a free way to add greenery. 
  10. Get discounted artwork by using unsplash.com. It’s a site where photographers upload their art for free. You can print them out and hang them in your home for low-cost art. 
  11. Search for free or low-cost items. Groups, like buy nothing and Facebook marketplace, have free and low-cost items people are giving away. Some things may be in an older condition, but with some work, it will look brand new!
  12. Use wrapping paper. What? Wrapping paper? You heard me right. If you display wrapping paper in a frame it adds a nice touch of color and no one will ever know it’s wrapping paper. You can do this in children’s rooms to add a pop of color. 

Hopefully, these tips will be used as inspiration to help you refresh and redecorate your home! Don’t let money hold you back. There are tons of ways to change things up. Maybe you’ll choose one or two of these ideas, or perhaps all 12! If this got your creative juices flowing and you want more, check out Pinterest for more fun ideas. 


Types of Wood Flooring


Your floor is the foundation for your home, making it an important element to invest in. Many people get hardwood floors because it is a classic flooring type. There are many different types of hardwood flooring, so how do you choose? Be sure to understand and take in mind your style and budget. Here are several different types of hardwood flooring.


Engineered Hardwood Floors


This is an affordable flooring alternative to solid wood. This flooring style is made from a tiny layer of solid wood attached to many layers of plywood. It is also easy to install for those who want a DIY project. It costs about $4-$9 per square foot. Some pros of engineered hardwood is that it can withstand humidity without expanding, the top layer is natural hardwood, it can be waterproof, and it’s affordable. Some cons include lack of durability, easily dents, has a limited amount it can be refinished, and the quality varies. 


Laminate 


While laminate isn't exactly wood, it mimics it well. It is designed of fiberboard where an image of the wood is placed on top to look like real wood. Laminate costs about $2-$10 per square foot. This is another affordable option to solid hardwood. Some pros to laminate flooring is that it is easy to clean, handles scratches well, is DIY-friendly, and comes in many different styles and colors. Some cons to this flooring type include, it can become water-damaged, chips quickly, and cannot be refinished. 


Parquet 


This is an all-natural wood flooring type and is the most popular. Parquet flooring is more expensive than the other types. The installation takes time to install. Some pros to parquet flooring is that it is aesthetically pleasing, it is durable, available in a variety of different styles, and adds a classic style to your home. Some cons include, it is easily scratched, fades from sunlight, is very expensive to install, and can become water damaged. 


The right hardwood flooring option for you will differ from others. It all depends on your unique style, upkeep needs, and budget. Be sure to consider these pros and cons when deciding on the right hardwood flooring type for your home. The right type also depends on the type of room you are putting it in. For example, you wouldn’t want to put parquet flooring in a bathroom since it can easily get water damage.