Awe-Inspiring Designer Makeover for Under $500

Atlanta designer Heather Hogan Roberts took objects and decor that the homeowner already owned to stay under her $500 budget for a living room makeover. She bought new curtains, a rug and small pieces of furniture, such as side tables and a woven stool used as an ottoman. Roberts, who owns Ivy and Vine, reworked and styled the existing accessories and furniture—a low-cost alternative to buying new items for a designer look.

Interior designer Heather Hogan Roberts' thrift-shopping savvy uncovered this chinoiserie painted teapot for just $6 and brass pineapple for $10.

A piece of white coral, which cost $6 at a consignment shop, adds more texture to the coffee table. The accessory mimics the sculptural shapes in the succulent centerpiece.

Roberts likes using succulents because they are resilient plants that require little maintenance. The homeowner already had this arrangement in another room, so Roberts made it a key item in her coffee table makeover.