The Top 5 Ways to Decorate Your Home on a Budget

If you have just brought your first house, or you are moving away from home, and the thought of furnishing and decorating is stressing you out, take a look at our list below of ways you can decorate your home on a budget.

Cheap as Free
The best way to decorate on a budget is not to spend any money at all. There are a number of ways you can get furniture for free. Firstly, signup to a website like freecycle, where people offer items they no longer want, rather than selling them on or throwing them away. If there is something in particular you need, it may be worth putting the word out to your friends and family. You never know who has an unused coffee table in their garage or attic. With free furniture, you don’t have much of a choice about style or colour. Try modifying what you get by painting, sanding, reupholstering or accessorising.

Second Hand
If you want to have more of a choice over what you buy, and if you are a fan of vintage styles and antique furniture, buy second hand. There are so many ways to do this. You could go to car boot sales, second hand furniture shops, charity shops or take a trip to your local auction house. Auction houses are great places to pick up bargains, whether it’s a house clearance, or a antique chairs that no-one wants, you will be surprised at the variety of what you can find. If that sparks your interest, you should also consider recycling centres.

Online
If you cant find what you want for free or second hand, don’t just go to your nearest retailer and buy a piece of furniture outright, go online and check out price comparison websites. Savings could be as simple as the price online being cheaper than the price in store. This is the best way of making sure you get the best price for your money, and you get to see a wider selection of furniture. As you wont be looking at the pieces in person, take measurements of your room so that you can make sure that what you order fits in your home.

DIY
Rather than paying someone to decorate, do it yourself. You can hire wallpaper strippers that can effectively remove all types of wallpaper, vinyl and woodchip. If you have moved into an older building, you may find that the previous owners have put wallpaper over existing wallpaper, sometimes multiple times. A wallpaper stripper will leave you with a clean surface for redecoration. Whether you are painting or papering, if you are unsure of how to do something, get advice online, or from home improvement retailers such as B&Q. You will be left with a real sense of achievement once you have finished.

Craft and Upcycle
You can use craft and upcycling to make your home interior unique, from making your own accessories and ornaments, to modifying and making your own furniture. Reclaimed materials are great when undergoing a DIY project. You may find broken antiques that you can restore or repurpose. This is a great way to reflect your individuality within your new home.

We hope that these suggestions have inspired you to start bargain hunting and DIY decorating.

Guest Blogger Emma Richards is a keen crafter, upcycler and second hand enthusiast working at Lilleymans.