30 Best Decorating Ideas for Anyone on a Budget

Whether you've recently moved into a new apartment or house or you've decided to revamp your current surroundings, you'll find that designing a home can be pretty expensive. There's furniture to buy, curtains to install, area rugs to lay down, entire rooms to paint or wallpaper, etc.

So, to help you achieve your vision for a little less, we're sharing all of the best ideas for decorating on a budget. Start by identifying the amount of money you're willing to spend ($50? $100? $500?) and then focus on one room or corner at a time. Most of these projects can be completed in a single afternoon, by people of any skill level.

If you have cutting boards to spare, hang them on your kitchen walls as affordable artwork. In this chic kitchen by designer Zoe Feldman, the walnut cutting boards pull some organic texture into the space and balance out the sleek marble and metallic finishes.

Instead of buying brand-new art, browse local flea markets and garage sales for vintage pennants. Depending on their size, most pennants cost just $10-$25 and can give your home a sense of history and character. If you're not sure where to start, look for flags that reflect your hometown, alma mater or some destinations on your bucket list.

Wallpaper can do wonders for your bedroom. Save money by grabbing just one roll and creating an accent wall. In this contemporary bedroom, designer Corine Maggio specifically chose a floral print with blues hues to complement her client's existing headboard.

Make a statement in your bathroom (without retiling the walls or floor) by hanging alphabet hooks. In this Southwestern-style space from Prairie, the designers used matte black letters to spell out "WASH" and give their clients' shower some extra personality. Alphabet hooks would make a fun and budget-friendly addition to a kid's bathroom, too.

If you can't splurge on a new patterned bedding set, choose a graphic throw blanket instead. In this eclectic bedroom from designer Maureen Stevens, the "all-seeing eye" blanket enlivens the solid white comforter and gives the owners the option to change it out later.

If you're not totally in love with your bathroom floor, try disguising the tile with an oversized area rug. In this transitional spa bath, Nest Design Group added style and comfort underfoot with an Oriental rug that stretches from the vanity to the tub.

Don't throw out that old loveseat or cushioned bench just yet. Instead, move it to the foot of your bed and watch how it instantly elevates the space. In this coastal-contemporary bedroom from designer Rita Chan, the denim bench gives her clients a place to kick off their shoes or toss extra pillows.

Save money on a new dining set by outfitting your table with salvaged chairs. In this coastal breakfast nook by Design 4 Corners, the distressed cross-back chairs evoke thoughts of driftwood and easily complement the seaside theme. Notice, too, how the designers used new seat cushions to further tie the space together.

Traditional nightstands can be surprisingly expensive. So we say opt for stylish side tables, like designer Malcolm Simmons did here. The marble-and-brass accent is just as functional as a nightstand (especially with its second shelf) but much more affordable.

If you don't have a kitchen island (but desperately want one), look for a ready-made version from a big box store. Many models start at just $125, so you can get the counter space without paying for a custom island and installation. In this cottage kitchen, designer Brian Patrick Flynn chose an island with a natural wood top to match his clients' existing counters. The result? The new piece blends right in.

Brighten your home on a budget by arranging your books by color. In this modern playroom from designer Victoria Bell, the rainbow display adds a pop of color to the white walls and renews interest in some old favorites, like The Story of Ferdinand and Madeline.

Create a stylish reading nook in your child's bedroom with just a canopy and a floor cushion. You can find muslin and cotton kids' canopies online for as low as $40-$50, or you can make your own with some tulle and an embroidery hoop. In this sweet girls' room from designer Genna Margolis, the canopy makes the ceiling look taller, too.

Breathe new life into an old bureau or dresser by sanding it down and repainting it. We love how designer Kerra Michele Huerta updated this midcentury chest with just a few coats of slate blue paint. Now it pops against the white walls and looks like a new piece for the homeowners.

If you haven't heard of outlet covers yet, then prepare to meet your new best friends. These slender devices cost just $23.95 on Amazon and will help your walls look much more pristine. (No unsightly wires or cords to see here!) Home office design by Jenn Feldman.

Bring an older brick fireplace into the present with a few coats of paint. Instead of completely renovating their clients' hearth, Design 4 Corners used matte black varnish to modernize it. Stacks of wood and an ochre throw add a cozy touch to the now-sleek surround.

Putting together a gallery wall? Skip the expensive prints and shop Etsy for downloadable art. These pieces typically cost just $5-$8, and you can print them off at home. (So you don't have to pay for shipping either.) By choosing affordable artwork, designer Zoe Feldman was able to splurge on a painted tiger head for this whimsical nursery.

Lighten your kitchen for $30 or less by storing your ingredients in clear containers. You can buy glass Mason jars in bulk for $11-$15 at Target and Bed Bath & Beyond, or snag a five-piece set of plastic canisters for about $30 at The Container Store. Kitchen design by Noz Nozawa.

Elevate an empty or awkward corner by installing a single sconce. Thanks to the articulating rattan wall sconce, this makeshift window seat is more functional and can now double as a comfortable reading nook. Design by Pure Salt Interiors.

Shower curtains don't cost much, but they can change the entire look of your bathroom. Case in point? Despite its classic mosaic marble tile floor, this historic guest bath feels contemporary thanks to the ombre shower curtain. Design by Kerra Michele Huerta.

You don't have to spend a fortune on custom built-ins. Instead, achieve an equally stately look for less with identical floor-to-ceiling bookcases. You can choose a white or neutral set to match your walls or go with a wood pair for contrast, like designer Perry Walter did in this handsome living room.

Flea markets and antique stores are great places to find budget-friendly home decor. Keep an eye out for oil paintings, amber glassware, vintage lanterns, rustic wood benches, etc. We love how designer Ashley Moore combined all of the above to give this mudroom some country charm.

Give your laundry room a budget-friendly makeover with peel-and-stick vinyl floor tiles. These patterned squares are easy to install and are a great dupe for expensive porcelain or ceramic. You can find sheets for as low as $0.99 at The Home Depot or about $2.60 on Etsy. Design by Ashley Ausland.

Here's a secret: Every room looks better with window treatments. Dress up your bedroom or guest space for just $50-$100 by hanging a pair of curtains. You can purchase panels individually or in sets of two and find affordable options at big box stores like Bed Bath & Beyond and Target. Design by Chango and Co.

Make your dining table look a little more high-end with a cluster of thrifted candlesticks. Start by deciding on a color palette (like metallics or matte black), and then look for alternating sizes to keep your display visually interesting. In this boho-chic space by designer Crystal Sinclair, the candlesticks dial up the drama.

Why splurge on new throw pillows when you could simply replace the covers? Amazon and H&M both have pillow covers starting at $10, and they come in a variety of solid colors and trendy patterns. (So you can recreate this coastal-contemporary look by designer Kate Lester.)

A serving tray can both enhance your coffee table and make everyday items (like coasters and remotes) look more intentional. Use vases and books that you already have on hand, like designer Caitlin Wilson did in this transitional living room, to lift the eye and give your vignette some dimension.

Add a luxurious touch to any room with a faux sheepskin throw or runner. Although they look expensive, these sumptuous accents can be found for just $25-$75 at Target, Wayfair, IKEA and Pottery Barn. In this sunny nook from designer Claire Staszak, two faux sheepskin throws make the brown leather chairs utterly irresistible.

For the look of a new kitchen without a renovation, simply update your existing hardware. This open-concept space leaned toward country style until designer James Farmer introduced those sparkling brass knobs and pulls. Now it seems more opulent, especially with the antique Persian rug underfoot.

If you can't spend $1,000-$1,500 on a new sofa, then set your sights on a loveseat or chaise longue. Because they occupy a smaller footprint, these pieces are usually more affordable and can still accommodate one to two people. Cozy and eclectic living room design by Kate Maloney Albiani.