update home on a budget

There’s something about this time of year that makes me want to freshen up my home décor. Maybe it’s the fact that the sun is finally shining after seemingly endless months of rain and grey skies, or maybe it’s that I’ve always associated spring with brighter colours and a new start. Either way, I’m feeling the urge to make some changes but don’t want to break the bank. If you’re feeling the same, here are six easy ways to update your home on a budget.

Add a feature wall

update home with feature wall Feature walls are an easy way to add impact to any room in your home. They also give you an opportunity to play with colours, textures, and patterns in a way that you might not consider on a larger scale.

For example, add a little drama and elegance to your dining room by painting one wall a bright bold hue and keeping the others neutral. Or perhaps add a little whimsy to your entryway by painting big vertical or horizontal stripes in complementary tones.

Alternatively, create a chic look in any room with wallpaper or wall decals. This gorgeous nouveau damask NuWallpaper from WallPops would look great in a bedroom or bathroom and is printed on high-performance material for easy installation and removal. If a full wall of wallpaper is too much for you, you can still bring a wall to life with a wide variety of wall decals.

 

 

Toss on some new throw cushions

update decor with throw cushionsReplacing throw cushions is one of the easiest ways to update the décor in any room in your home. I tend to switch mine out in spring and then again in winter so they suit the seasons. In spring and summer I like brighter, fresher, sunnier colours, like whites and light greens, whereas in the winter I opt for darker and richer colours like burgundy and browns.

If you’re bolder than I am, you can also add into the mix throw cushions with fun graphics like this Urban Loft Budgies Animal Print option, or this Keep Calm and Carry On cushion, also from Urban Loft.

 

 

Change it up with a new rug

update your home with new rugsI tend to change up my living room area rug about once every two years because I lean towards shades of white and am a very spilly red wine drinker. Needless to say, I have some experience with how much a new rug can freshen up a space.

Bright whites and off-white rugs are quite neutral and let you play around with other accents like throw pillows and blankets, while more traditional and classic designs like this one from Bardot add a certain element of elegance to your space. Either way, adding new rugs or changing up existing rugs is a relatively inexpensive way to update a room.

 

 

Accessorize your coffee table

accessorize coffee table on budgetAccessorizing my coffee table is something I’ve struggled with in the past, so spent some time on various home décor websites to find out just how to go about doing it. One easy way is to add a decorative tray or basket, like this rose gold one from Fable. You can add some faux fruit or wicker balls, or leave it empty, but either way it will add some visual interest to an otherwise utilitarian piece of furniture.

In addition to a nice basket or tray, add a few aromatic candles like these 4” Sea Mist Pillar candles from Kiera Grace Naturals, as well as a carefully curated stack of vintage books, and your coffee table will go from weak to chic in no time.

 

Add Decorative Mirrors

Decorative mirrors are an easy way to make a dramatic change to a room without spending a fortune. Mirrors like this Nexxt Solei 10” Mirror Set can add visual interest, a touch of elegance and unique style to any room while also serving as a way to reflect light, which will make any room look bigger. That’s why mirrors are particularly ideal for small spaces. For example, I live in an 800 square foot apartment, so to make living space look much larger and airier than it is, I added a 6’ x 3’ mirror to the wall in my dining room and like magic, my apartment got bigger.

 

House Plants for the Win

update home decor with plantsLast but not least, when it comes to updating your home décor on a budget, think about adding house plants. If you don’t have a green thumb, don’t panic as there are a lot of varietals that don’t require much care, such as spider plants, rubber plants, philodendron, and aloe. Place them in large or small pots throughout your home to freshen up your space and add a punch of colour.

If you don’t have much floor space, or have children or animals who might get into plant pots on the ground, place them on a decorative plant stand like this two-tier one from Candace & Basil. You’ll still have your plants, but they will be out of reach of toddler hands and animal paws.

 

Updating your home doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Small changes like adding throw cushions, plants and mirrors can make a huge impact on your space while keeping your pocketbook in check.

Check out Best Buy’s Home Décor page for more decorating ideas.

Main image from ImagineGreatLiving.com

Stacey McGregor
Stacey McGregor is a marketing and communications professional based in Vancouver, BC. She has a passion for the written word, loves learning about new technology and gadgets, and enjoys sharing what she learns through Best Buy's Plug In blog.