We all want our homes to be a place for recharge, rest, and inspiration. That is why from time to time, we want to alter the look of our rooms by introducing new art pieces, changing the color of our walls, installing new lights, or adding accents. However, sometimes money can be tight, and we need a little extra creativity to bring our visions to life.
So even if you find yourself pinching pennies, rest assured there is still plenty you can do to create an inviting and artistically inclined home. And, before you head out to buy something new, see if any of our ideas on this list inspire you and help you make your home look beautiful on a budget.
Photo by Sylwia Pietruszka on Unsplash
Go for Art Prints
One of the best ways to cut costs on art but still enjoy it in your home is to get fine art prints rather than original paintings. Naturally, prints do not have the texture of a canvas or the paint’s subtleties, but they definitely come with excellent quality and give your home a fresh and wholesome look.
Choose print themes that match your taste, add symbolism and context to the room. Importantly, match them with the colors and style of your existing or soon-to-be-purchased home furniture.
When it comes to organizing art prints, that depends on the room’s size and the effect you are trying to achieve. Keep in mind that prints are a very versatile decorating choice- you can display them on bookshelves, windowsills, and tables, helping you utilize as much horizontal space as possible; or hang them up on the wall in clusters. Another option is to let them sit on the floor, especially if it is a tall or larger square piece, making the room appear larger.
Statement Wallpaper
Framed art prints are not the only way to make an artistic statement in a room. Have you ever considered creating an aesthetic wall with wallpapers? From Monet’s subtle watercolors to Yayoi Kusama’s psychedelic colors and patterns, you can bring nearly every masterpiece onto your feature wall.
Wallpapers are a design investment worth making, and the best way to enjoy them is by using them to create an accent feature. They are an excellent option for living rooms, as well as bedrooms and hallways, having the power to energize the space and create a focus in your home.
Photo by Angela Lo on Unsplash
Frame Unexpected Items
A new and exciting idea that we love is framing interesting, or unexpected items. Have you ever considered framing your souvenirs, spare scarves, old (or new) maps, postcards, pressed botanicals or dry flowers, jewelry, or even stamp collection?
Framing different and sentimental things has an impressive way of placing them in a more artistic light. And you can not go wrong here, as long as it fits and you like it, you can definitely frame it. What is more, this can be an inexpensive way to (re)decorate your place. The only thing you will need to buy is matching frames—everything else you already own.
Be the Artist
Even if you don’t think you are artistically gifted, you can create art for your walls with little to no money or experience, for that matter. If you need inspiration, there are thousands of exciting ideas online, but here is what we suggest you do:
- Repaint a wall. Painting is one of the easiest ways to transform your rooms, and you don’t have to break the bank. A fresh coat can instantly update a space. And if you don’t have enough time to paint the whole room you can go for one statement wall.
- Paint a Mural. Hand-painted murals are growing in popularity, so why not try to paint one yourself? The key to a well-done mural is planning, so before you start, make sure you have a clear vision in your mind. Naturally, try first to implement the idea on a paper. If you like what you see, you can use a step-by-step guide to execute your vision.
- Make decorative plates. Do you have plates sitting in a cabinet where they are not used or seen? We all do! So why not get creative and decorate them according to your taste? After you are done, you can hang them on your dining wall. Believe us, decorative plates can give the space a classy feel, and you will be so proud of yourself when your guest notice your gorgeous art when they come and visit.
Photo by Lina Castaneda on Unsplash
Update the Furniture
If you are considering throwing out a piece of well-worn furniture, think again. Many elements that we own can often be upcycled. This way, you will have a chance to save money and be creative while reducing the environmental strain.
Our favorite idea is upcycling wardrobes or cabinets by adding remnants of wallpaper on their panels or a fresh coat of paint and cool handles. However, you can also go creative with old bookshelves, armchairs, coffee tables, or benches. What is more, you can also update and repurpose furniture pieces, turn a bookshelf into a cabinet, a dresser into an apothecary cart, or chair backs into frames.
If you love vintage or boho styles, then there is no better place for finding artistic (upcycled) decor for your home than antique stores and flea markets. Those are perfect places to find great deals on so many unique pieces, so make sure you give them a try.
Parting Words
Sometimes when we want to change and update our home, all we need to do to do is to plan and make the most out of our existing art and decorative pieces. So move things around and relocate them to another room to elevate the look or update them. Once you start seeing the art pieces you own in different corners or settings, you’d be surprised by how versatile your existing collections and furniture are and it was all about the perspective.
