How I Decorate my Home on a Budget
by Libby Schwers
Over the past two years, I have spent so much time making my home cozy, colorful, and just my taste. Since I work from home and spend a lot of time here, it’s so important for me to feel creative and inspired on a daily basis. I’ve gotten a lot of questions about how I decorate my home and where I source products from. If you’re feeling like your home decor lacks personality and flare, I want to help you expand your horizons and revamp your space to make it feel more like YOU!
Create Your Vision First
This step is so crucial, yet often overlooked. I’m guilty of this myself. I moved into a new apartment back in 2019, and for some reason, I thought I needed to decorate it immediately. This resulted in a hodgepodge of decor from TJ Maxx, HomeGoods, Target, and Amazon. Individually, it was all cute, but together, it didn’t really work. I had no prior vision of how I wanted each space in the apartment to look and feel; I just wanted to decorate and be done with it. I think this happens to a lot of people, especially with the almost instant gratification of online shopping and Amazon Prime.
Before I moved into my home, I created a mockup of how I wanted the living room to look. I took a photo of the empty, unpainted room (my home was a blank canvas, yay for me!), and used Photoshop and Illustrator (perks of being a graphic designer) to help me visualize what it could be. I found products online and juxtaposed them into the image. I think it turned out pretty close to the mockup, right?!
Here’s another mood board I made when I first moved in!
Ever since then, I always make a mood board and mockup and really take the time to visualize a space before I decorate. Two years later, I still have rooms in my home that haven’t been touched decor-wise. This process takes time, but the results are so worth it.
Shop Secondhand & Vintage
I know this seems like a no-brainer for doing anything on a budget, but I cannot stress it enough. Shopping secondhand and vintage is all the rage as of late, probably because it’s good for your wallet, for the planet, and it’s just so fun. There’s nothing like going thrifting on a Saturday morning, with an iced coffee and a dream. I’m grinning just thinking about it.
I do understand, though, that shopping second hand isn’t for everyone. Plus, you have to be in a treasure hunting mood for it, which isn’t always realistic. Here are my tips for shopping secondhand:
Make a list of types of items you’re looking for: This is where having a mockup or mood board of your space is super helpful. It makes it easier to know what items match the vibe of the space. It also keeps you from impulsively buying something, only to find out later that it doesn’t look great in your space.
Items I always look for while secondhand shopping: baskets, vases, trinkets, picture frames, vintage glassware, art, and mirrors. It’s important to have a color palette in mind, otherwise your new treasures might look more like clutter when you bring them home.
Think beyond the item as you see it in the store: Ask yourself, does this item have potential to be painted, stained, refurbished, or repurposed in some way? This takes some creativity and brainstorming, which gets much easier with practice. Pinterest is great for finding DIY projects!
Don’t Sleep On Facebook Marketplace
People often ask me where I got something in my home, and oftentimes, my answer is Facebook Marketplace. Not only do I love buying items from it, it’s also been great for selling items, too! Plus, if I sell an item and use the money to buy a different item, it’s basically free. Girl math! Almost everything in my office setup is from Facebook Marketplace. Yes, even the epic pink desk.
My tips for shopping on Facebook Marketplace:
If you have a specific type of item in mind, search for it in the search bar within Marketplace and turn on notifications for your search. That way, it knows to show you similar items as they populate.
BE PATIENT. Sometimes the perfect item pops up four months after you gave up hope. If it’s meant to be, it will be!
Be safe. Always look at someone’s profile and be aware of scammers; they’re rampant. Try to meet in a public place during the daytime if you can.
Items I look for on Facebook Marketplace: End tables, night stands, lamps, chairs, desks, honestly anything. One time I got a vintage floral footstool for $5.
Need help creating a vision for your space?
I am now offering a brand new service: interior decor consulting!
This is a 60 minute call where we will discuss your vision (or lack thereof) for your space. I will provide guidance and suggestions for how you can revitalize, add character, and add your own personal touch to your space. You’ll then receive a mood board and mockup of what your space could look like!
