My recent post shared 11 simple decor tweaks, and today’s Sensible Decorating Ideas That Won’t Cost a Fortune offers a few more. We sometimes simply need a wee nudge to get started, and perhaps this little ditty will do the trick.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
10 Sensible Decorating Ideas That Won’t Cost a Fortune
1. Update Just One Thing
You need not direct your attention to the entire room when you’re in the mood for decorating or re-decorating. Start small with just one corner of the space. For example, think about refreshing your bedside table.
2. Address a Corner
I’m sure there’s a corner of your home to make happier with a simple vignette.
Poetry book upon my accent table:
Refreshing a throw on an accent chair or bed is a simple, sensible way to give your eye a new view, and here are two I personally own…
a pewter blanket for the end of the bed:
and also a versatile throw with fringe.
3. Re-style Your Coffee Table
Need a New Coffee Table Book?
In case you missed the memo in the cray cray 2020s, the Giannettis wrote another must own book HERE.
Any Tricia Foley fans?
4. Skirt the Issue
Another ‘small change, big payoff’ decor idea? If you have one, update or upgrade the bedskirt or coverlet on your bed.
5. Pretty Tablescape For No Good Reason
I’m totally guilty of forgetting time and time again (as a minimalist) the power of tablescapes. Beautiful tablescapes need not be reserved for insta-famous bloggers or for those occasions guests will arrive. Go ahead and set the table just for you in a way that pleases you.
Y’all know I keep things unfussy so even the tablescape is spare!
6. New Mirror & Towels in the Bath
I feel like we need an entire post devoted to bathroom mirrors. Most of us live with at least one gigantic sheet style mirror that covers the entire wall.
While they are functional and utilitarian, they often lack style. Do you like the idea of layering a decorative mirror over the standard one?
Here are my most recent luxurious bath towel finds:
Shop my home
7. Organic & Earthy Accent
Since I spend a ton of time at the kitchen sink, it makes sense to add fresh flowers, a pretty branch, or even a little heart-shaped stone near it.
Everyday chores are suddenly enhanced with a pop of natural goodness.
Here’s my favorite source for heart shaped stones collected from the Mediterranean Sea.
8. Add Importance With a Tray
Beautifully styled, rustic elegant interiors often feature objects arranged upon a rustic board or tray.
The texture and order resulting from this simple gesture may be just what pleases your eye.
9. No Cost Design Help
Whether you are just beginning to narrow down your design style or are collecting ideas for your well established signature style…
Also, remember to peruse decor inspiration and interior design from the archives here on Hello Lovely.
You could argue this design element is NOT sensible or inexpensive (they are worth every penny), but in case you need the source of our doors:
These alder doors completely transformed our home after we ditched the hollow core paper-y ones inherited with the fixer!).
Get Organized With Your Decor Ideas
PIN images in POSTS (start by going HERE to pin this one!) and click over to my Pinterest boards to repin for future reference all the inspiration that excites you. (Your pinning spreads the word and supports this blog’s free content!)
Do you collect something? Start a Pinterest board for it!
10. Thrift Bad Art to Creatively Recyle
It’s so easy to find inexpensive materials to create your own art. You don’t even have to start with a brand new high quality canvas unless you’re overly concerned about archival issues and an heirloom-quality piece.
Find ugly art at the thrift store and paint or collage right over it! (One of my favorite abstract paintings in the bath below started life as cheesy and cheap wall decor picked up for a song.)
Ever seen or tried acrylic pour painting? I have been watching instructional tutorials like this:
Have you considered tiling a kitchen backsplash yourself? We are DIYers and installed our own mosaic backsplash (above).
This tutorial may help if you’re thinking subway tile:
Make sure to visit the first installment with more decor tweaks HERE.
I independently selected products in this post—if you buy from one of my links, I may earn a commission.
Peace to you right where you are.
-michele
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All I cared about was that bathroom mirror!!! Perfection! Alas I saw no links to it! Lol everything is beautiful!!!
Author
Hahaha – my mirror is from Anthropologie (discontinued now)…there’s a link to a Venetian mirror in the post, and I just added updated the post with another mirror with a similar shape but no etching. There are also a bunch here: https://rstyle.me/+ODTDuN-_kEtewH48UiG-MA Thanks so much for reading and for the feedback. Peace to you, Megan.
Awesome article!
Author
thank you! 🙂
Michele,
I love looking at your home. It is always so lovely and peaceful. I especially love the mirror in your bathroom. I Hope this finds you well. Take care and be safe.
Hugs,
Bev
Author
Thank you so much for the kind words and support, Bev. I’m thinking of you – praying for you by name just now and hoping these days are gentle on you. xox
Wonderful post as always………..pleasure and joy to read, plus always inspirational.THANK YOU!!
Author
Thanks so much for being here – it’s lovely to have you! 🙂
#9 is the BEST tip of all! You’ve inspired me over & over & over again in more ways than one! I love your idea of creating a simple tablescape all set for a meal and just leaving it there as decor. I’ve never thought to try that. Looks so welcoming…then when dinnertime comes table is set & the fam (or friends) can enjoy pretty dining on the regular instead of only special occasions. Can’t wait to try this today…see you’ve inspired me yet again! 🤗
P.S. Am also gonna try your great idea of recycling thrift art! I have repurposed SO many things before, but not that. What type of paints do you use to recycle? Are the 2 pieces you highlighted on the bench & in your LR recycled ones ?! I love them both. Also, my Nearly Natural tall olive trees arrived, and I LOVE them… so much so I’m gonna order some of the ornamental boxwoods! Thanks again for that source!!
Author
Thank you so much for entertaining all these ideas, Amy. We’re kindred so there is always so much common ground. Why not set a pretty table and feel that thrill that we often only feel just before company comes for dinner? The recycled art pieces I have shown on the blog include a large seascape I painted that was in a niche in the Arizona house and a small, very chalky vintage looking abstract seascape I did on wood painting found at a Paris vide grenier. Yep! Even really bad art found outside Homegoods and at a Paris neighborhood sale! Hahahaha. So happy you’re loving the everlasting olive trees!
I’m so curious what type paints did you use and where did you purchase them as I’m new to recycling art, but open to the possibilities! Ha!
Author
You can use anything on hand including latex paint for walls. I use acrylics – find some here: https://rstyle.me/+s9RsNQ6aedn8AA7lnKfG6g
Thanks for the feedback, Michele! I never even thought about using the leftover latex paint from our walls! Such a great idea as I love those neutral colors and would love using those same colors on some recycled thrift art. I think I will start with that as I already have it on hand. One more question I forgot to ask was what paint brushes/sponges/etc do you like to use/work best?
Author
I use all sorts of collected brushes and scraper things to create texture. I make a big mess! Here’s a set you could start with:https://rstyle.me/+CgXHgGlU1XHyrFh6vql2xQ
Thanks so much!
Author
Keep us posted on your experimenting!