Decorating on a Budget: How to Adorn Home with Affordable Décor

We all want to live in a beautiful space. Nobody wants to wake up and roll out of bed in a depressing, unfurnished apartment. But not all of us have the budget to make our home look as glamorous as those we see in magazines or on TV. And many of us don’t have the time to pour into complicated DIY projects. Still, that doesn’t mean we have to settle for a crappy-looking living space. There are things we can do and buy to beautify our space on a modest budget. Decorating on a budget is what this post is all about!

A Moroccan-style bedroom furnished with a brown striped blanket over a king bed with brown and yellow, white, blue, and brown striped throw pillows, matching curtains and footstool, a colourful painting/print hung on the wall above, and other small decorative touches — Moussa Idrissi

Every person deserves the instant morale that comes from being in an environment that is beautiful and well-kept. Our intimate home environment is an outward expression of us, and likewise influences us in a feedback loop for better or for worse. Let’s look into some simple ways we can change it for the better, even if we don’t have the budget or expertise to fix it up as fancy as we’d someday like. Now is just as important as the undetermined future, so don’t put off doing something that will benefit you now!

The Relevance of Decorating

View of the upper half of a bedroom with a decorative fishing net hanging in the corner with starfish and seashells hanging in it, a white-feathered dreamcatcher hanging from another part of the ceiling, and many nautical-themed decorations hanging on the wall.

Decorate (verb): to make something [i.e. room, apartment, house, workspace, etc.] look more attractive by adding extra items or images to it.

Decorating is that basic of a practice. It isn’t something for which you need a special skill, although there are professionals with a trained eye and special knack for getting it especially right. The rest of us rely on our instinct, experience, and personal preference – the latter playing what’s probably the most important and variable role. After all, we are changing creatures – you are not the same person you were five years ago, and I am not the same person I was last year. Our life experiences – both on an external and an internal level – help to shape our preferences and how we evolve. This includes our aesthetic preferences. Decorating can be, therefore, a very personal and important part of your expression as a person.

Photo of a wall with various decor: a brimmed hat from Australia with an emu feather, a silk scarf with a leaf and hummingbird pattern, a woven cloth tea towel with koalas, a poster of mountains in New Zealand, an Aboriginee boomerang,

The Subjectivity of Decorating

What you’ll find further below is a list of things that are both affordable and appealing, at least to some. They are potentially appealing to you. They appeal to me but I am not all viewers at large – what matters for your decorating purposes is whether they appeal to you. However, even if they don’t, they will hopefully inspire you with some ideas. Maybe you see something you don’t quite love but identify an alternative that serves the same purpose and go and find that instead (a win!). Or maybe you find many things you aren’t excited about but then there’s one thing that you love and that one thing, once in your home, gives a little boost of pleasure in your day-to-day life which then inspires small yet life-giving changes.

Bedroom with bright aqua-painted dresser and cloth bins, lamp with tropical fern and flower-patterned shade, monstera plant, and small seashell/aquatic decorations on wall

The point is to find things you like and/or find inspiration to find or create what you like. Of course our list is by no means exclusive; it’s only a fraction of the options for decorating on a budget. But I’ll continue to update this post as I find new treasures in the future and, in the meantime, provide some basics to get you started!

Affordable Items for Decorating on a Budget

Close-up photo of dainty and colourful decorations hanging on a wall: a hoop with small flower adornments and multiple hanging maroon tassels, a small pink and yellow-striped painted vase with a small sedum plant with red flowers hanging out of it and another nearby, other tasseled decorations, and several colourful painted decorative plates — Meganathan J A; Rachel.R; Maruf Ahammed

Four colourful red-centric paintings on a white wall: a round red, yellow and blue painting showing the intersection of the three primary colours, a rectangular canvas in the opposite corner showing red paint with an outline of the white letter 'S', and two professional prints of paintings of figures in blank ink coloured in with a rainbow palate — Meganathan J A; Rachel.R; Maruf Ahammed

Disclosure: Some links below are Awin or Amazon affiliate links, which means I may earn commission if you click through and choose to finalize a qualifying purchase. This does not affect the price in any way.

Decorations to Hang on the Wall:

Abstract black line drawing of woman’s face with flowers on white tapestry
Minimalist ombre blue tapestry (seen in photo below)

A minimalist light blue ombre lightweight tapestry hangs on a living room wall above a gray couch, offering a colour pop. When decorating on a budget, these lightweight tapestries are easy and effective ways to transform a space at a fraction of the cost of a thicker woven cloth tapestry

Pink roses tapestry
Macrame crescent moon dream catchers (see one hanging by window in photo below)

Nautical-themed decor in light blue hues hang from a bedroom wall with a sailboat, seashells, sand dollars, and more. A cream-coloured macrame crescent moon-shaped dreamcatcher hangs on the adjacent wall, too

Large beige fringe macrame wall hanging (43″x32″)
Large ‘dip-dye’ macrame wall hanging (57”x35”)
Venetian masks (a throwback to the 90s’ porcelain Venetian wall masks…except wearable, too!)
Decorative wood letters for spelling out anything you want that brightens your day
Evil eye home décor for beautiful handmade Turkish décor

On a wall hangs many small mirrors among lots of lovely oceanic-themed and evil eye decorations in blues and teals — Photo by Berna

One more for this wall list…while peel-and-stick wallpaper isn’t exactly a decoration that you hang from the wall, it is something you apply to the wall – or any other surface you like. And while the purpose of this post is decorating on a budget, I’m including this fabulous glitter peel-and-stick wallpaper (which comes in many colours – from neutrals to brights) specifically as an option for revamping smaller surfaces like ugly cabinets and furniture.

A pantry with orange glitter peel-and-stick wallpaper covering the walls. Decorating on a budget includes bright and happy touches to liven up even food storage spaces

A linen closet with white peel-and-stick wallpaper covered in gold stars and moons. Decorating on a budget includes fun and playful touches to liven up even closets

Peel-and-stick wallpaper gets pricier and way more labour-intensive if you plan to cover all of the walls, but even just one small wall in a nook is a more affordable and approachable option. I used it for closets in my home but the glittery one also made its way inside some cabinets and across the top of an otherwise dull console table. You can literally stick it anywhere! And this glitter kind is so thick that it was way easier to manipulate than other thin matte options that immediately cling to any surface before ready. Try it on the front of a small table or cabinet, or along the headboard of a bed, for instance.

Decorations to Hang from the Ceiling/Doorways/Windows:

Decorating on a budget with pretty pastels: periwinkle and blue paper hot air balloons with hanging stars hang from a ceiling, with blue and silver paper star and circle garlands strung across the ceiling. A matching dream catcher hangs on th wall as well as framed seashell art.

Sparkly paper star garlands for a light/playful, whimsical look (seen near ceiling in photo above)
Pretty paper pompoms and other décor for a light and breezy flair
LED string lights are an easy way to create a lovely glow – strung up high or down below!

White string lights are strung across the ceiling inside a closet, illuminated a row of different-coloured pumps as well as some hats atop the shelf above hanging clothes

Sheer fabric to pin from the ceiling for a delicate drape of variable shape
Rainbow honeycomb fan garland adds a festive and colourful vibe to cheer up any space
Recycled sari fabric garland for another colourfully cheerful touch

Multi-coloured string lights are strung across the ceiling of a bathroom, creating a cool and festive glow

A colourful bathroom rug with multiple light/pastel coloured splotches covers part of a white-tiled bathroom floor

Decorative Floor Rugs:

Fluffy area rug for soft-texture lovers available in several colours
Sophisticated cat rug (for cat lovers!) with understated earth colours and foliage design

Useful Decorative Objects (functional décor wins when decorating on a budget!):

An AI-generated image showing a living room decorated in earth tones and soft-textured furnishings. Decorating on a budget includes all of the items showcased here including ample throw pillows, macrame and cloth decor hanging on the wall, potted plants, pillar candles, small glazed pottery/vases, a salt lamp, and woven rug amidst modest neutral furniture (beige sofa, two small wooden end tables, and wooden coffee table)

Salt lamps are an easy and affordable way to light up any area with a pleasant glow. They’re small enough to easily fit on a small table, shelf, or in any nook with a nearby outlet.

A fleece throw blanket (available in many attractive colours) adds a colour pop strewn over a sofa or folded neatly over a chair, and of course is a cosy source of warmth while relaxing.

A living room with a coffee table and a few small decorative items, a few chairs, stools, monstera plants, modern art paintings/prints on the wall, and an off-white sofa covered in six throw pillows of various colours — Catherina Schürmann

Throw pillows not only add pleasant colour pops (an easy and affordable win when decorating on a budget!) but they make sitting or napping more comfortable. For pillows that are glamorously unique, these round throw pillows fit the bill and are available in many colours.

A small upholstered chair sits in the corner of a room next to a large window with foliage outside and a floor lamp behind it. On the wall behind it is a gallery of framed pictures, and to the other side is a small end table with a potted plant. On the floor nearby is a larger potted plant. On the chair are a couple of textured throw pillows. Plants and throw pillows are perfect for decorating on a budget — Rüveyda; Max Vakhtbovych

A mustard sofa is strewn with various patterned throw pillows. In front of it is a small round wooden table, and above it is a shelf on the wall displaying a small plant, an hourglass, a lantern, and various books and magazine. A minimalist drawing of a lion hangs on the wall above it — Rüveyda; Max Vakhtbovych

While I wouldn’t go so far as to describe these plush/pillow/bedding bags as furniture, they serve a similar purpose if you need something soft to lean against while relaxing on a rug or watching a show. Soft storage, however, is their primary purpose (and of course looking cute)! While many of the designs are oriented toward children (for storing plush animals), there are plenty of fun basic stripes and polka dot options in several colours. I have two and they serve as happy colour pops that secretly store extra blankets and pillows and serve as extra cushions for guests during the odd movie day (see blue one with stars in photo on right below).

Cover of the book 'In the Company of Women' by Grace Bonney, showing a collage of portraits of creative women entrepreneurs

Decorating on a budget with a creative flair: a room with a yellow wall, yellow and white-striped rug covering part of the floor, built-in white desk with teal peel-and-stick wallpaper covering the top surface, a matching aqua lamp under shelves with hand-made decorations and a salt lamp, hand-crafted seashells on ribbons hanging on the wall, a few hand-made collages hanging on the wall, and a white-spangled blue plush/pillow/bedding case stuffed with blankets and a pillow on top next to a coffee table

In the Company of Women hardcover book is an intriguing and inspiring read for any creative person that offers both valuable content and engaging photography. It’s a perfect item to display on a coffee table because of its substantial content and appealing cover.

If you enjoy tea, this glass teapot is an attractive vessel you can use and keep on display after washing.

Useful Decorative Objects for Bedroom/Bathroom:

If you wear jewelry, this minimalist jewelry box (see photo below) is an attractive way to store it – the box itself is pretty. It comes with a clear lid so you can keep your jewelry dust-free while still being able to glimpse it. It comes in several classy neutral colours as well as a few pretty pastel hues.

Light aqua-coloured jewelry box with window in lid through which to view an array of rings, earrings, and bracelets

Not all residences provide adequate privacy without curtains or blinds. However, natural light is important for morale (as well as for houseplants). Rather than darken your personal spaces with light-blocking drapes, consider an attractive window cling film. It provides both privacy and a beautiful splash of rainbow when sunlight shines directly through it. This is great for apartments in urban areas with a limited amount of windows with limited privacy. This cling film comes in a several clear/iridescent patterns that let in ample natural light without compromising privacy. I use it for my bathroom window so I’m not on display to the several homes behind us. It makes the window look so pretty, too (see photos below)!

A bathroom window, divided into smaller sections by removable white-painted wooden 'window pane dividers'. The lower six sections, seen up-close in the photo, are covered in a stick-on iridescent/clear film to give privacy whilst still letting in natural light. In the above three sections (barely seen in photo - mostly out of shot), the glass is bare so treetops are still seen unobscured yet high enough for privacy

A bathroom window, divided into smaller sections by removable white-painted wooden 'window pane dividers'. The lower six sections are covered in a stick-on iridescent/clear film to give privacy whilst still letting in natural light. In the above three sections, the glass is bare so treetops are still seen unobscured (but high enough for privacy)

To apply the film, you first have to measure the dimensions of the glass panes/area you need to cover. Next, you need to cut that amount from the roll to fit. Finally, you stick it to the glass evenly and carefully to avoid bubble pockets. It isn’t complicated; you just need to have some patience and care. And that careful patience pays off: you never have to worry about the window again, unlike curtains or blinds which require constant manipulation if you want any light in your space!

Decorating is a Personal and Evolving Art

Colourful maximalist room with religious decor in Coyolillo, Mexico: in front of bright coral-coloured walls are a corner shrine outfitted in embellished pink fabric and hanging streamers with many religious photos and icons, many photographs of children and people, pictures of flowers, small images, a television on a small table, hanging patterned fabric, and chairs — Leonardo Manjarrez

By now you’ve hopefully realised that decorating need not be the expensive or daunting undertaking some imagine it to be. You just need to follow your own taste and improvise. Start with some of these staples listed above. As I mentioned, this list is farm from exclusive! I will update it over time but you can also go on to find your own alternatives. For instance if you like the idea of a tapestry covering your wall but want something simple in another colour besides blue, search for a minimalist tapestry in your preferred colour. Mull over the ideas and finds we’ve covered and see what sits best with you.

Two framed seashell prints flank a large blue metal compass rose, with a small white/clear dreamcatcher below it to the right

Let your preferences change, too. Over the years, you’ll find that you outgrow certain styles. That never makes them bad or wrong; it simply means you fancy a change. We can get bored of some of the same things after a while. On the other hand, certain looks or things will hold our appeal until the end of time. Both are wonderful truths! All that means is that while some stuff may stay, other stuff may be replaced (either temporarily or permanently) by updated décor better suited to your new interests. That makes decorating on a budget all the more appealing: you aren’t investing a huge sum into something that you outgrow in a little while. What matters is how you outfit your environment here and now.

Recap: Why Decorating on a Budget is Important

An underground house in Matmata, Tunisia is decorated with a traditional print blanket over the bed, a traditional woven rug on the floor to the right, another striped rug on the floor in front of it, a small table to the right with a woven rug over it, small decorations on a built-in small table (a natural outcropping carved out of the wall), many photographs hung on the wall above it along with colourful pompom decorations, and a clothesline with colourful fabrics hanging from it on the other side. Above the bed is an exquisitely-detailed woven tapestry/rug of the Ka'bah in Mecca in bold colours — Son Tung Tran

If you’re reading this (or have read this far), decorating is probably at least somewhat important to you. But it helps to know why from an objective point of view if anyone ever questions your efforts and you feel compelled to provide an answer. Whether you’re decorating on a budget or not, having a beautiful living space should always be an accessible and prioritized effort.

A corner of a bedroom is shown with a brown dresser, table lamp with a light blue ceramic base with sculpted sea stars, a few small bottles with anchors on them, a seahorse decoration hanging on the wall, a garland with sea stars and shells hanging above near the ceiling, and a few small blue-painted wooden anchors hanging on the wall near a large mirror on the wall with a wooden frame

Close-up photo of the top shelf of a brown bookcase displaying coastal-themed decorations (a natural woven 'Beach' decoration, a ceramic mermaid, a small sand dollar print, and small jars of seashells). On top of the bookcase are nautical-themed wine and liquor bottles. Fun bottle labels make decorating on a budget easy

Our environment, and especially our living space where we sleep, eat and nurture ourselves and our family physically, mentally and emotionally, has a subtle and yet profound effect on us. Clutter and disorganization are mental drains that distract us and feed (and, often, reflect) internal chaos. It isn’t so much living somewhere that never gets messy. That would mean nobody’s actually living! It’s ignoring a mess and letting it linger and grow until it eventually becomes a chronic part of your home’s internal landscape. When the mess moves in without paying rent and becomes a leech, hiding things you need, obscuring what you want to see, and causing visual frustration. I won’t elaborate on clutter’s many negative effects, but you get the idea: that must be dealt with first.

A room decorated with flower-centric prints: a flower-print traditional woven tapestry rug hangs on the wall behind a small wooden table with a white eyelet cloth atop it as well as a small table lamp adorned with matching eyelet cloth strung down the sides. A small wooden vase with a bouquet of pink flowers also sits atop the table. Nearby are a couple of chairs with hand-embroidered cloths hanging from them, and behind a sheer white curtain is a large potted plant/tree in front of a window with light streaming in. On the faint/light-coloured flower-patterned wallpapered wall hangs an indistinguishable framed piece of art — BotanichKa; Murat Halıcı

A room with aqua blue-painted stucco walls and a colourful diamond-print patterned woven rug covering the floor, two long colourful and intricately woven cushions leaning against the wall atop a bed with a pink skirt, and a smaller intricately-detailed woven rug hanging from the wall with a hat and a couple of smaller framed prints — BotanichKa; Murat Halıcı

Then, focus on what you do want in your home. That’s where decorating on a budget comes into play. How can you express yourself in your environment? What kinds of things, shapes and colours do you want to see that instantly boost your mood? How can you create a beautiful and engaging space that inspires you and nurtures you? If you follow your creative instincts here, you will undoubtedly make your home look and feel amazing!

Decorating on a Budget with Beautifully Simple and Affordable Décor