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Everybody would love a beautifully decorated home. But money is a limited resource and it’s easy to start thinking you just don’t have the budget to make your home shine. Well, that’s not true and we’re here to prove it! We’ve asked the experts and collected 15 affordable interior design tips that will guide you in achieving a stunning style without breaking the bank. Read on to see just how to design for less!
Getting Started With Affordable Interior Design 2023
Budget interior design ideas by Decorilla designer, Dina H.
Before you jump into your budget interior design project, there are a few things than can help you from making some of the most common interior design mistakes. Take our advice and save yourself the hassle!
- Do your research. Thanks to technology and the internet, you’re now able to Google unlimited inspiration as well how-to’s for decorating your home.
- Know your capabilities. Chances are if you’re not crafty or don’t have an eye for good design, your DIY project might not turn out so well. Stick within your skillset.
- Get help! In the end, sometimes hiring an affordable professional saves you money in the long run. Their experience pays off and often times working with a designer gets you access to exclusive trade discounts.
Want to save money while still getting professional interior design help? Then schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation to learn how you can save 1000s!
Expert Affordable Interior Design Tips
Transitional living room by Decorilla affordable interior designer, Meric S.
Stunning homes are accessible to any size budget and we’re here to prove it. Check out our design experts’ top budget-friendly interior design tips:
1. Purge All the Excess Clutter
Affordable kitchen interior design by Decorilla online interior designer, Sarah M.
Let’s face it, clutter is never attractive and it doesn’t do any good to your home either. The first step to achieving a stunning style in your home is to get rid of all that you don’t need anymore. Besides decluttering your space and your mind, having less stuff will also make it easier to store everything neatly in your available space. Especially if you haven’t done a serious purge in a long time, this can become a huge task and it can feel daunting. But don’t get discouraged; just start with one small drawer and go one room at a time. When you start it will feel liberating and you’ll get the energy to continue!
Modern living room affordable interior design by Decorilla online interior designer Tera S.
While you decide what to purge, remember that what you don’t like anymore can be a treasure for someone else. So keep reading the next points for some ideas about what you could do instead of filling the trash bin with your “needs to go” items!
2. Hire Affordable Interior Design Services
Open living and dining room design by one of Decorilla‘s affordable interior designer, Berkeley H.
Today, interior design is becoming more accessible and affordable than ever before. Many affordable interior design services are popping up with affordable flat-rate packages rather than services by the hour. These affordable interior designers often use virtual interior design to complete their work. Clients are able to fully visualize their new interiors through the use of 3D realistic renderings before committing to a design or furniture and decor purchases. Better yet, some of the best services provide exclusive trade discounts and concierge shopping at no additional charge! Floor plans, color palettes, and implementation guides complete the design package, giving you all you need to make your new home come to life. If DIY is not for you, save yourself some money while still getting incredible designs by using budget interior design services.
3. Affordable Interior Design Essential: Get Crafty
Eclectic bathroom design by Decorilla online interior designer, Sonia C.
It sounds crazy, but the first person that may like the items you discarded is…you! Many times you’ll find yourself thinking you don’t like an item anymore, but in reality, a crafty afternoon could be enough to give it a whole new look and make you fall in love with it again. Without even mentioning the satisfaction of having done it yourself!
Affordable home office design by Decorilla online interior designer, Luca C.
From painting it another color to adding embellishments, you can find tons of easy and inexpensive ideas online. They bring some pretty amazing transformations and who knows, maybe you’ll get inspired for your next weekend project! Crafted pieces are also great conversation starters and will put your own mark in your home, bringing in your taste and personality.
4. Utilize Flea Markets & Swaps for Affordable Home Decor
Library design by Decorilla interior designer, Francis D.
Even after a creative thought, there will be things you don’t like anymore and can’t reuse in other ways and those need to go. But still, instead of trashing them, think about joining a flea market. To start with, the money you’ll get from selling your stuff will stretch the budget of your remodel. And while you’re there you’ll surely find pre-loved items that are just right for your home! While walking around a flea market, always keep your creative mind awake. Many of the things you’ll find are probably not exactly what you want, but many times all it takes to make them perfect for your home is a small update!
Affordable interior design for a traditional living room by Decorilla designer, Leonora M.
Another great way to get rid of unwanted stuff while getting new pieces in return is swapping things with your friends. You may even transform this into an alternative get-together event. Organize a thematic evening where everybody brings things they want to get rid of. Then lay everything on a table and start shopping. During the evening, you can also share tips and exchange budget interior design ideas to apply to your homes.
5. Start by Shopping Your Own Home
Affordable modern living room design by Decorilla online interior designer, Lauren A.
Moving things from one room to another can seem an absolute no brainer. But you’ll be impressed by how many useful things you can find around your home! Baskets, boxes, and vases are just some examples of things that can easily transition from one room to another when needed. So, whenever you feel you need something new for your décor, walk around your home and see if you already own it. Shopping your own home is something you will always do and sticking to a defined color palette will make it even easier in the future. When looking at say, living room design ideas, notice what you like about the photo. You could have a similar piece of art or accessory in another room. If you have the same colors repeating throughout your home, you’ll be able to move things around very easily! And while you walk around your home, also keep the next point in mind…
6. Think Outside the Box
Bedroom design by Decorilla affordable interior decorator, Francis D.
Creativity is often the solution to practical problems. And when it comes to home decorating, it allows looking at things under a new light. In particular, if you let your creativity flow you’ll realize that you don’t have to limit yourself to use an object for its original function. Here are some ways you can think outside the box for your home decor. Looking for a new brass towel bar but can’t find it? A drawer pull is much easier to find and will do the job just fine. Want new flower vessels? Mason jars can come to the rescue. Need more storage but your bathroom is too small? Why not just try leaning a ladder on the wall?
Minimal dining room by Decorilla affordable interior designer, Melissa T.
See, we are used to looking at things for their original function but actually, they can serve many other purposes too! Looking at objects creatively is also a sure way to save you some money. While at home, you may find something to reuse for a new function. And while shopping, you may choose to purchase a less expensive item and use it in an unconventional way. Up to now, we’ve looked at creative and uncommon ways of using things that will stretch your budget. But they will not be sufficient for you to get a stunning style in your home. So let’s move on and see some affordable interior design tips that can guide you in achieving the home of your dreams!
7. Choose Your Style & Color Palette First
Rustic modern kitchen design by Decorilla interior designer, Mary L.
The number one thing that makes a home beautiful is the feeling of cohesion throughout the rooms. It shows you’ve put some thinking into the décor of the space as a whole and it’s a sure way to achieve a high-end feel. So before you go any further, set a direction for yourself. Look through different interior design styles and choose the one (or the mix) that you like the most. Create a new Pinterest board and collect pictures of rooms and objects you love. Then select the color palette you will use, choosing colors you like and you will not get bored of. In other words, you need to decide what you want your home to look like. This may seem obvious, but thinking through it upfront and collecting some examples will give you a visual reference and help you make the right decision whenever you’ll be in doubt during the remodel!
8. Easy Budget Interior Design Updates
Living room affordable interior design ideas by Decorilla designer, Ivonne O.
Do you know the saying “Small details make a big difference”? This is totally true and it’s also one of the best interior design tips! For example, a small thing like swapping the knobs of your kitchen cabinets can transform the look of the entire room from average to “wow!”. Another small change that will elevate the look of your home is changing the handles of your doors to something that complements your style. And what about light switches and sockets? Updating or embellishing those plates will immediately make your home more stylish. All these may seem irrelevant things at first but we guarantee that if you implement one or two of those, you’ll already see a tremendous improvement in your home!
9. Don’t Forget to Accessorize
Open kitchen shelving styled by Decorilla online interior designer, Francis D.
What if we told you that you can completely change the look and feel of your home with a very little expense and without touching any of your existing furniture? Sounds good as a budget interior design solution right? Well, that’s exactly what home accessories can do. Artworks, vases, cushions, trays, candles…the list is long. Despite what some people think, all of these objects are not just dust catchers and can help your home in more than one way. First, accessories can freshen up a space, give an updated feel to older furniture and even cover some flaws on pieces that have seen better days.
Transitional living room by Decorilla affordable home decorator, Leonora M.
Second, by sticking to the same style and color palette in all your accessories you will immediately achieve a sense of cohesion throughout the home and – as we said – this is one of the main ingredients of a stunning home! Last but not least, accessories are precious to add your personality, which is key to making your home really yours.
10. Affordable Interior Design Tip: Pick Up a Paintbrush
Painted living room by Decorilla affordable interior decorator, Deidre B.
A fresh coat of paint can solve many design problems. But walls are not the only thing you can paint. For example, painting the ceiling in a bold color is still quite an uncommon thing and it will surprise everyone entering your home! Or, you can paint your doors (entrance door included) which will give a whole new character to the space with a relatively low expense. And what about painting just your floorboards?
All over color for an affordable home office interior design by Decorilla interior designer, Erin R.
When you choose your paint color you have two main choices. First, you may want to make your painting choice last as long as possible. To achieve that, opt for a versatile hue; one that you will not get tired of and that will still work even if one day you decide to change your accent color. If instead, you want to dare, choose a bold signature color for your paint. The wow effect is guaranteed and if you ever change your mind all you’ll have to do is paint over it!
11. Create Some Focal Points With Your Walls
Entryway design by Decorilla affordable interior decorator, Michelle B.
Walls are one of the biggest surfaces in a room and have the potential to make a big difference in a design. Painting them is great, but it is really only the first option when it comes to decorating a wall. There are plenty of inexpensive alternatives like removable wallpaper and decals. They’re easy to install and remove and the effect is impressive. Sticky tiles are also an option and can be used in every room, including wet areas like backsplashes.
Wallpaper as an affordable interior design idea by Decorilla designer, Sierra G.
Also, don’t forget the power of a big bold artwork! There exist many budget-friendly options out there, but you may also decide to DIY your own art piece with colors, scrap fabrics or papers. Whatever method you choose to dress your walls up, remember that a good wall décor will immediately add character to the space and create a beautiful feature, so it may be all you need to spruce up a room.
12. Mix and Match: Pattern and Texture
Bedroom interior design by Decorilla designer, Joyce T.
Patterns and textures are precious tools in your affordable interior design toolkit. First, they add depth to a surface and therefore they will do wonders in updating your existing furniture (think of the difference it makes to put new cushions on a sofa). But that’s not all that they can do. Patterns and textures are able to create a vibe in the space.
Low cost interior design for a vintage living room by Decorilla designer, Stefany R.
Soft textures and muted patterns will immediately give a sense of coziness, whereas bold bright patterns and shiny textures will bring a more refreshing feel. So start by asking yourself which vibe you want your home to have. Then, use patterns and textures to achieve that and – of course – remember that you can go for different vibes in different areas of your home!
13. Let Your Personality Do the Talking
Eclectic living room affordable interior design ideas by Decorilla designer, Susan W.
This is a basic décor tip to achieve a stylish home, but it also turns out to be one of the most effective to contain the budget. And it applies to virtually everything. By mixing different styles you will achieve the one that really reflects you. Mixing expensive pieces with inexpensive finds, you will make the most of your budget and create your unique combinations. By mixing new and vintage you’ll create an interesting layered effect that will add character to your home. And by mixing things you already own in different ways you may see them in a new light. In general, mixing things up opens new possibilities, and you never know what treasures you can find there!
14. Affordable Interior Design Tip: Lighting is Key
Glam living room design by Decorilla designer, Mladen C.
Even the best home can be ruined by poor lighting…do not let it be your home! It doesn’t matter if it’s high-end or affordable interior design. When it comes to lighting, the best advice is layering. This will give you options to use the space in different ways. So let’s sum up the main tips to achieve good lighting. Always start with overhead lighting, which is good to light up the room in general. Then add floor and table lamps. They will give you a spot to comfortably read and write or, by switching the general lighting off, they’ll create a softer ambiance for the evening. Finally, add diffuse lights to help create a cozy vibe. For instance, candles and string lights are some tested ways to set a relaxing mood.
15. Embrace the ‘Work in Progress’ Stages
Reading nook designed by Decorilla online interior designer, Romain D.
Especially when working with time and budget constraints, chances are you will not get to redecorate your entire home all in one go. But you know what? This is not a problem at all! It may require a bit of mental training at first, but try to let go if things are not perfect everywhere. Taking time on your affordable interior design project will make the result even more yours and this is what it’s all about in the end, isn’t it?
Traditional living room interior design by Decorilla designer, Angela S.
So there you have it, 15 easy and affordable interior design tips to achieve the home of your dreams on a budget!
FAQs on Budget Interior Design
Classic contemporary open living by Decorilla affordable interior designer, Drew F.
Is it cheaper to use an interior designer?
Believe it or not, hiring an interior designer can save you money. Using a professional will help you avoid costly trial and error mistakes while ensuring you get the look you desire. Additionally, some design services even pass on furniture and decor discounts not typically available to the public.
How much does it cost to hire an interior designer?
Typically the cost of an interior designer will range from $2000 – $5000 per project, excluding furniture. The price will vary based on the size of the rooms and scope of the work. However, online interior design services are making interior design more affordable with flat-rate prices anywhere from $79 – $2000.
What is a reasonable budget for interior design?
The great news here is you can be in charge of your budget. As seen above, there are plenty of affordable design tips you can do on your own. And with the variety of interior design services and wide selection of furniture and decor in all prices ranges, there’s truly something for everyone. The important thing is to set your budget ahead of time and look for what fits into that – don’t overextend yourself financially.
Looking for Affordable Interior Design Help?
If you’re feeling inspired to update your home without breaking the bank, but aren’t quite sure where to start, schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation for assistance from the finest affordable interior designers today!
