Tips Decorate Your Home Affordably

Image Source: Laure Joliet via DesignLoveFest

Look at the Space With Fresh Eyes

After looking at a room arranged one way for a long period time, it can be a challenge to picture furniture and decor arranged in any other way. Tracy says you can gain a fresh perspective by traveling. "Even going away for the weekend helps broaden your experience and define what you like or don’t like in a space."

Image Source: Brittany Ambridge via Domino

Toss Dated Hand-Me-Downs

"Family hand-me-down furniture can be great, like your grandma’s antique iron bed frame that now serves as a statement piece in your guest bedroom," says Leigh, but she warns against holding onto unattractive pieces out of misguided sentimentality. "That oak bedroom suite your aunt gave you from 1992, however? If it doesn’t hold sentimental value to you, toss it."

Don't Design Around the Television

Your TV is inevitably going to be a focal point, but don't allow the entire room to revolve around it. "Too often people feel the need to arrange an entire room over TV placement, especially in the bedroom," says Leigh. Her solution? "Try placing furniture to encourage interaction and conversation instead."

Source: Jordan Brittley via Style Me Pretty

Use Books and Greens as Design Elements

One thing Tracy and Leigh both firmly believe in is integrating books and plants throughout the home. "There’s no need to confine books to a bookshelf. Peppering some personal items throughout a space makes it more warm and inviting for both you and your guests. It’s all about the little things," says Leigh.

 

Image Source: Prudent Baby

Mix, Match, and Personalize

The secret to making a home look fabulous on a tight budget? "The ability to be able to mix and meld new and old, the spendy with the thrifty," says Leigh. "The real talent lies in working with what you have and putting a personal spin on it. Be smart, and spend the money on staples, not trends."

 

Image Source: Centsational Girl

Organize With Trays

Tracy has an easy way to start organizing: get rid of everything you don't love. Then, Leigh suggests using trays to attractively arrange remaining belongings everywhere from the kitchen to the bathroom to the dresser. "They keep things like your prized olive oil collection or skin care products a little more contained and much more aesthetically pleasing – especially when cabinet space is lacking."

 

Image Source: Jared Smith via Sugar & Cloth

Spend Money on Your Bed

Leigh and Tracy encourage clients to save money everywhere but in the bedroom. When it comes to getting a mattress, pillows, and bedding, they tell clients to invest in high-quality items. Upgrading your sleeping situation is also a great way to make your apartment more grown-up.

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