Whether you are renovating your bathroom or updating the home decor throughout your house, it’s likely that you’re working on a budget. Most people find that do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects are not only affordable but also enjoyable — giving you an opportunity to invest sweat equity into your home and to enjoy the results for years to come.
Before you begin your DIY home decor journey, consider the following tips and tricks in order to enjoy a smooth and seamless process from start to finish.
Planning Your DIY Interior Design Project
There are countless cheap home improvement ideas from which to choose, and it’s exciting to get started. However, before you get out the tools and start working on your home, you will want to spend time planning out your project. By making careful considerations during the planning stage, you can prevent complications or mistakes in the middle of the project.
Setting a Budget
A central goal of any DIY project is to save money, so it’s necessary to start the planning process by establishing a budget for the project you are about to begin. Your budget will vary significantly depending on the size, scope and intention for the project. For example, if you are trying to renovate an area in order to improve your resale value before you list your property on the market, you may set a lower budget than if you were investing in a renovation that you are going to enjoy for many years to come.
Regardless of the size of your budget, allocate funds for:
- Materials
- Tools and equipment
- Lighting or plumbing fixtures
- Installation fees
- Hardware
- Appliances
- Additional home décor
Design Inspiration and Conceptualization
Once you have your head wrapped around the budget for the project, you can begin dreaming up DIY home decor ideas. You may find design inspiration online, or you may find creative ideas when visiting your friends’ homes in the local area. As you begin to narrow your focus on the type of project that you want to take on, you can begin conceptualizing it. It’s best to draft a blueprint for your project because it will give you an overview of what needs to be done to complete the project.
Cost-Effective Decorating Ideas
Not only are DIY projects more enjoyable and affordable, but in many cases, they are also more sustainable. Demand for sustainable home decor is on the rise, which aligns perfectly with many of the most cost-effective decorating ideas available today.
Repurposing and Upcycling
In the age of social media, repurposing and upcycling has become easier than ever before. Defined as taking something old and giving it fresh life or a new purpose, repurposing allows people to utilize products that already exist while still accomplishing their small space decorating goals.
For instance, you could buy an old couch off Facebook marketplace and redesign it to suit your needs. First, you could invest in deep cleaning, then purchase new fabric to reupholster the furniture. By the time your project is complete, no one will recognize the old couch — and you will know that you saved one furniture piece from heading to landfill without purchasing another couch that had a hefty price tag as well as a substantial carbon footprint.
DIY Decor Projects
According to Better Homes and Gardens, these are some of the most affordable DIY home projects:
- Homemade curtains or reupholstered throw pillows to liven up a room.
- Painted staircase with a fresh finish to add dimension to your small space.
- Homemade welcome mat to add curb appeal.
- DIY wall art that showcases your personality and sense of style.
- Homemade candles to add warmth and light to your home.
Choosing the Right Materials
The materials you choose will have a significant impact on your ability to complete home decor on a budget. Focus on choosing materials that are not only affordable but also durable and sustainable. In many cases, your selections will lay the foundation for your project, and investing in the wrong materials can lead to complications during the project or result in deterioration sooner than expected.
Affordable Shopping Tips
You can easily purchase the right materials for your DIY interior design projects with these affordable shopping tips:
- Buy local materials. Generally speaking, local materials can be sold at a lower cost because they do not have to be imported from another area of the world.
- Buy secondhand materials. You can often find gently used materials at thrift stores or secondhand shops, allowing you to secure high-quality materials for a lower price.
- Shop the sales. Give yourself time to browse and purchase materials when they are on sale at local stores.
Material Alternatives
There are many alternative materials available that you may be able to purchase at a lower price point. For example, if you would like to renovate your kitchen and replace your existing countertop with stone, you may find that engineered or composite stone delivers the same look for a better price. For the most part, alternative materials offer the same strength and durability you need while still aligning with your budget.
DIY Painting and Wall Treatments
Painting has long been known as one of the most costly home improvement projects because the labor is so expensive. Fortunately, in terms of easy DIY home decor, doing your own painting and wall treatments is very attainable. These DIY painting tips can help you move forward without compromising on the quality of the results.
Selecting Colors and Textures
Choosing the right paint color can be overwhelming. The last thing you want is to invest time painting an entire room only to be disappointed in the color. According to HGTV, you can select the right paint color by:
- Considering the mood of the room and the home decor design plan that you have in mind.
- Taking into account the natural lighting in the room and how that may impact the overall paint color. For instance, a room with low lighting will always look darker, so lighter paint colors may be preferable.
- Choose a few colors, then test them out. Paint your color choices on a poster board, and hold them up in the room to see how they perform with the natural lighting.
Application Techniques
Learning the best application techniques will help you feel confident taking on a do-it-yourself painting project. While painting is considered to be one of the best beginner DIY home projects, you should follow the following tips (per Architectural Digest) for properly painting a room:
- Prepare the room by covering furniture with drop cloths and applying painter’s tape to the edges of the walls.
- Stir the paint often to keep the color smooth and even.
- Paint primer on the walls first, especially if you are covering a dark color with a lighter color of paint.
- Use two coats of color for a consistent, unblemished finish.
Maximizing Small Spaces
Small space decorating doesn’t have to be difficult. By being aware of your space and strategically choosing the right pieces of furniture and decor, you can create an open and functional layout for any room.
Furniture Arrangement
Arrange furniture in a way that maximizes space in a small room by:
- Using symmetry to strategically place your furniture. Clean lines and open spaces will make any room feel larger than it is.
- Intentionally choosing small furniture that is right-sized for the space.
- Only utilizing the furniture you need for functionality and avoiding cluttering the space.
Storage Solutions
Innovative storage can help you improve the functionality of your small space. For example, in a small living room, you could purchase an accent table that doubles as a storage solution, allowing you to get two pieces of furniture within one unit.
Final Touches: Styling Your Space
Once you have completed your renovations and the paint has dried, it’s time to implement your affordable interior design plan. The final touches you add to your space will allow you to incorporate your personal style into the room, tying together the entire design scheme.
Accessorizing on a Budget
Cheap home decorating is possible, despite how it may seem when you look in the stores and observe the latest home design trends on social media. If you are looking to accessorize on a budget, try to:
- Go thrifting. You can find plenty of unique and authentic home decor items that you can use in your space, all of which will be priced much more affordably than at the big-box stores.
- Make your own art for your walls. Not only is this a more affordable option, but it allows you to add your own touch to the room and create something truly unique that no one else will have.
- Remember that less is more. Sometimes, investing in one significant accent piece will give your room enough dimension (rather than opting for many pieces of smaller décor).
Incorporating Greenery
Houseplants are an affordable, sustainable decor item that can add life and freshness to any room in the house. Not only are plants ideal for your DIY home improvement design plan, but they can also help you feel better both physically and mentally.
Learn About Affordable Interior Design Strategies at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design
While people often look to DIY home improvement projects to save on costs, the top interior designers know how to create affordable interior design plans that maximize the use of available space. At Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, we offer an on-campus Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design as well as an online Bachelor of Fine Arts in Interior Design, allowing students to learn how to complete a home makeover on a budget, plus much more. Request more information about our interior design degree programs today.
