Re-Decorating with One (Affordable) Piece at a Time

Happy Friday! Since it's the weekend I thought I'd do a little longer post for you on how changing/ adding just one affordable piece in a room can make a huge difference overall.

Going from being a college student to living in the 'real world' was a huge reality check for me in the 'funds' department, especially when it came to one of my favorite things: home decor. I've realized that making over an entire room(s) in a house is just too expensive to do all at once, thus I focus my energy on changing one or two things at a time to make the room feel completely different. Here's my list of ways to update one thing in your space that will make a difference and won't break the bank.

1. Paint your front door. While buying a new one is always an option, a can of paint and some spare time will cost a lot less. Choose a color like black, red, or even a brighter shade to really notice a big difference. Here's a great tutorial on how to paint a front door yourself.


2. Window treatments. Give any room in your house an instant life by hanging window panels. To hang, place the rod 6 inches to a foot above the top of the window (unless your window meets the ceiling like below). Be sure your panels aren't too short (think high-water jeans) or too long (think baggy pants)- let them touch the floor ever-so-slightly. Target has great window panels here that range from $19-$69.


3. Hang a chandelier. One of the quickest (and most elegant) changes you can make in a room is to hang a chandelier. Some of them can be super expensive, but keep an eye out, as I've seen chandelier's priced as low as $20 at flea markets and antique stores. Check out Chandeliera for some seriously amazing chandi's!


4. Wall Decals. Sounds silly, I know. When I first received a tube of wall decals as a gift I was a bit skeptical. In my mind it compared to putting those silly glow stars on my ceiling when I was 8, and let me tell you, that was just not happening in my house! But trust me, these decals will not leave you feeling like you're living in a galaxy once the lights turn off! I've found some cute Etsy shops here and here that sell really cute ones. Decals can change even the smallest areas of your house (think laundry room, pantry, and otherwise awkward spaces) so don't be afraid to put some stickers on your walls!


5. Hang a mirror. Mirrors are one of my all time favorite accessories. They open up any space and allow for light to reflect within the room, making it feel bigger and brighter instantly.

Other affordable home decor sites that I scour all the time are CB2 and West Elm.

Told ya it was a long one! Thanks for hanging in there with me!
Have a great weekend! xoxo

{photos LivingEtc, Design2Inspire}