Home Decorating Tips to Save Time and Money
Looking to transform your home without breaking the bank? We have professional organizers and productivity consultants sharing their top tips on how to save time and money while decorating. Discover these valuable insights from experts to elevate your home decor game.
Use Items You Already Own
When I signed the lease for my first solo apartment in 1994, I went to World Market, spent $300 on a set of green glass pedestal bowls of varying sizes and placed them in the center of my mantel as my “decor.” They collected dust.
When I now go into clients’ homes to organize and style their spaces, we bring their mood board along with us and search for decor pieces from their own kitchen cabinets and hall closets that complement the decorating scheme: things like beautiful ceramic vases, sculptural amber jars with lids that can store anything from paper clips to cotton balls, and even a stack of brightly-glazed everyday pasta bowls.
We do this before looking to purchase new items. We then display the pieces on shelves, along with their books and personal items. These things don’t collect dust because they get used often! And yet they look beautiful and planned. So confidently pull out things you actually use in your home, and love the look of, and place them as decor on your shelves. It will save you both time and money.
Zeenat Siman, Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant, Firefly Bridge Organizing
Rearrange Furniture for a Fresh Look
One effective home decorating tip that can save both time and money is rearranging furniture. This simple yet powerful technique can transform the look and feel of a room without spending a dime. By moving pieces around, you create new focal points, improve flow, and potentially uncover hidden potential in your space.
Rearranging furniture allows you to see your room from a fresh perspective. It’s an opportunity to reassess the functionality of your space and make adjustments that better suit your lifestyle. For instance, you might discover that moving a sofa away from a wall creates a more inviting conversation area, or that repositioning a bookshelf can showcase your favorite decor items more effectively.
This approach also encourages creativity and problem-solving. You may find innovative ways to use existing pieces, such as repurposing a side table as a nightstand or using a dresser as a media console.
Rearranging furniture is the ultimate DIY decorating hack. It costs nothing but can completely refresh your living space. It’s a testament to the power of creativity in home design.
John Lattanzio, Owner at John Angelo Photography, John Angelo Photography
Upgrade Pillow Inserts for Designer Look
Save hundreds of dollars by buying designer-looking pillows with a zipper at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon, or Wayfair, and then swap out the insert for a high-quality down or down alternative pillow. Look for pillow inserts that are fluffy and soft (not the standard cotton batting), and your pillows will give you the designer look for WAY less. While you’re at it, make sure your insert is one size larger than the size of your pillowcase for extra opulence and fluff. I get my pillow inserts on Amazon.
Kendra Hagerman, CEO, Owner, Kendra Found It
Use Interior Design Apps for Visualization
If you can’t afford to hire an interior designer, I recommend using an interior design application to help you visualize your future space. Personally, I recommend Roomstyler. It has been my go-to platform every time I’ve had to redecorate. It’s kind of like playing Sims, but for real life. You start by creating your room with the actual measurements, then browse through a huge library of decor and design options.
Moreover, you can adjust the size of furniture to match your space. You can even try out different layouts and see how they look before making any decisions. If you’re a visual learner like me, this site is perfect.
The best part is you can also check out designs from other users to get even more inspiration. It’s a great way to explore new ideas and see what works best in your space. Basically, you can design your entire space to your liking at no cost at all.
Ajay Chavda, CTO, Mojo Dojo
Shop Facebook Marketplace for Affordable Finds
One of the most cost-effective home decorating tips is utilizing Facebook Marketplace for furniture finds. Through our years of cleaning and maintaining various homes, I’ve personally seen how impressive second-hand furniture can look. These pieces shine especially bright when given proper care. I’ve discovered exceptional quality pieces on the platform. These items can be transformed with some basic refinishing skills — stripping, sanding, staining, or painting. They become stunning focal points in any room. You’ll be amazed at the results when you combine smart shopping on Facebook Marketplace with basic DIY refinishing skills. You can create a beautifully decorated space at a fraction of the retail cost.
Joseph Passalacqua, Owner & CEO, Maid Sailors
Store Seasonal Decor in Labeled Containers
As a professional organizer, I sometimes offer ideas on decorating beautifully and efficiently. You can save money on duplicate purchases if you store seasonal decor in labeled containers by season. This will make finding what you have faster and easier, and reduce purchasing more items because you no longer know what you already have.
Jamie Martin, Professional Organizer/Owner, The Chicago Organizer
Choose Neutral Furniture for Versatility
When it comes to home decorating, everyone’s looking for that magic trick to save some cash and hassle. Here’s a game-changing tip that’ll make your wallet and your schedule breathe a little easier. You’ve just moved into a new place or want to refresh your living space without breaking the bank. The secret is choosing furniture that’s like a blank canvas — think sofas, dining tables, and area rugs in classic colors like beige, gray, or cream. These pieces are your design chameleons, able to blend into virtually any style you’re loving right now.
Why does this matter? Because trends come and go faster than you can say “interior design,” but a great neutral piece will be your ride-or-die. Imagine being able to completely transform a room’s vibe just by switching out some throw pillows or adding a new piece of art. One season you’re feeling boho, the next you’re all about minimalism — and your furniture just goes with the flow.
This approach isn’t just about looking good — it’s about being smart. You’ll save money by not constantly replacing big-ticket furniture items, and you’ll save time by avoiding those exhausting, full-room makeovers. It’s like having a wardrobe of classic pieces that you can dress up or down with trendy accessories.
So next time you’re tempted to buy that ultra-trendy, loud-colored sofa, take a step back. Choose something that’ll be your design partner for years to come. Your future self (and your bank account) will thank you.
Emma Blake, Interior Design Blogger, dreamyhousedecor.com
Reorganize and Repurpose Existing Items
In the course of my research, I realized that obtaining the best results now saves in the long run while getting a noble-looking home. Top on my list of decorating strategies is the act of reorganizing what you already have without necessarily purchasing additional items.
For instance, rearranging furniture in a particular room may cause the room to look very different altogether. You can also give old pieces a whole new look even with small improvements like painting, reupholstering, or changing the hardware of a piece of furniture. This way also saves money and people have a feeling that they are part of something they can own.
Another fast and cheap win is to purchase products that can be used in multiple location areas. For example, you will find storage that will also act like a sofa or table such as a storage ottoman. This reduces case clutter and it also enables you to get the most out of your space utilization, particularly for those with limited space.
The tutorials and tips shared herewith ensure that you can easily transform your house, and all this can be done effortlessly and on the cheap!
Nitya Seth, Interior Designer, NITYANAMYA
Invest in Timeless Pieces Over Trends
Skip trends! Buying something trendy, only to donate it or sell it for 10% of what you paid a year later is just flushing money down the toilet. Instead, find inspiration from all over, and from any decade. Plan out your space (a designer can help!) and make thoughtful, considered purchases. Invest in timeless pieces, and save the trends for accents — or only adopt the ones you authentically love and will keep for a long time.
Maggie Stephens, Interior Designer, Maggie Stephens Interiors, LLC
Add Mirrors to Create Space
Adding mirrors to your home is one of the best tricks to make any space feel larger and more lively, especially if you’re working with smaller or darker rooms. What’s great about mirrors is that they bounce light around the room to create a wonderful illusion of extra space. They’re pretty flexible too, fitting in if your style is sleek and simple or strong and eclectic.
If you’re decorating on a budget, hitting up thrift stores can be a great way to do this. You wouldn’t believe the deals you can find on mirrors that still have lots of life left in them. And usually, these pieces come with unique frames that really stand out. A quick tip if you pick up a mirror and it feels a bit outdated: a simple paint job on the frame can completely turn it.
Facebook Marketplace is also a great place to check out mirrors, as many people post them for sale if they are moving. Plus, you can try grouping a few smaller mirrors together which is an affordable way to improve light and add character to your space without emptying your wallet.
John Gluch, Owner, Gluch Group San Diego
Upcycle Old Ladders for Unique Storage
Take an old ladder, instead of spending on a brand-new bookshelf, an unused or secondhand ladder can be transformed into a one-of-a-kind storage piece. With just a bit of imagination and effort, you can turn it into a charming addition to your home.
Ladders are surprisingly easy to come by — you might find one tucked away in your attic, score a bargain at a garage sale, or pick one up at a thrift store. Once you’ve got your hands on one, the possibilities are endless. You can lean it against a wall to display books, potted plants, or even hang decorative throws for added texture. For a more polished look, you might sand it down and give it a fresh coat of paint or stain that complements your decor.
Not only does upcycling an old ladder add a rustic or vintage charm to your space, but it’s also a win for sustainability.
Jeremy Morgan, Brand President, Groovy Hues Painting
Use Paint to Transform Spaces
Use paint. It’s cheap. It’s easy. And it works wonders.
Walls feeling dull? Paint them. Got an old dresser? Paint that too. A single can of paint can completely change the vibe of a room.
You don’t need special skills. Just grab a brush, a roller, and some tape. Neutral colors are safe if you want a clean, modern look. Feeling bold? Go for a pop of color.
Paint is the easiest DIY project. And it makes the biggest impact for the least money. Give it a try. You’ll love the result.
Matthew Uebergang, Owner & Interior Designer, Cushee
Invest in Flexible, Multi-Use Furniture
My best home decorating advice for saving time and money is to invest in flexible furniture. By selecting high quality pieces that serve several functions, such as a sofa bed, extended dining table, or storage ottoman, you can customize your space to meet a range of demands without having to purchase more items. Using this tip not only lowers clutter but also increases functionality in smaller places, which is especially advantageous for those who regularly renovate their houses. When you also focus on buying durable materials you can reduce replacement costs over time.
Tahn Scoon, Interior Decorator & Designer, Tahn Interiors
Stick with Neutral Colors for Flexibility
A simple home decorating tip that can save both time and money is to stick with neutral colors for the walls and larger furniture pieces. Neutral tones like beige, gray, or white provide a versatile foundation that works well with any style, from modern to traditional. They also allow you to easily switch out accessories such as throw pillows, rugs, and curtains, helping you refresh the look of a room without the need for expensive or time-consuming renovations.
With neutral colors, you can change the feel of a space simply by updating smaller, more affordable items. This approach also eliminates the need for constant repainting or buying new furniture to match new trends. The versatility of neutral tones means you can keep your home looking stylish and current without spending too much time or money on frequent updates. It’s a practical and cost-effective way to design a space that lasts.
Mark Adams, Owner, Cast Fireplaces
Use Foldable Screens for Quick Changes
An elegant screen. I fell in love with the foldable paper wall, also called stretchable paper wall partition or room divider that can instantly change the background for your virtual meetings for example. Nobody needs to see your home from the inside uninvited. It works fast and looks professional. Because it is foldable, it can be stretched to cover a whole wall or function as a room partition. It’s an investment but golden for saving time and money.
Ana Malovrh, Founder, Choose Your Signature Style at GerSi, Ana Malovrh s.p.
Paint Floors for Long-Lasting Impact
By painting your patio, balcony, and (depending on the type of floor) even the interior of your home, you create a massive, everlasting effect that will save you seasons of new outdoor rugs and stand the test of time through catclaw manicures and microneedles, Manolo Blahniks, or even more aggressive, less elegant high heels. The best news is that you don’t have to be precise, just bold. Use a simple pattern and put it on repeat. Everyone will be stunned by your courage and unusual take on carpentry.
Daniela Gottschalk, Interior Designer, Tinzeltown
