(UPDATED Jan 19, 2021)
So, the original intro here was about swapping out your New Year’s Eve party clothes for some stretchy pants and a good Netflix binge. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been enjoying the latter for about 10 months now. You know, pandemic and all.
But the overall premise of this blog is somehow even more relevant today than when I wrote it last year. We could all use a little home refresh.
You’ve spent so much time at home, you’re likely itching for a new view. And you’re not alone there - the interior design business is booming with people ready to invest in their spaces.
But interior design doesn’t have to be a huge overhaul that costs thousands. Anyone can upgrade their space with a few simple DIYs or inexpensive home upgrades.
You can 100 percent brighten up that kitchen, refresh the bath, or change up your living room without adding to your post-holiday financial stress.
So put your credit card away and check out these 12 design tips for some seriously cheap and easy DIY upgrades.
That’s right. A whole new space and a happy wallet, all while staying in your yoga pants.
You’re welcome.
1. Get Detail Oriented
Iconic midcentury designer Charles Eames famously quipped, “The details are not the details. They make the design”.
And this is true for everything in life — it’s the little things that make the difference. This goes for customer service, wardrobe choices, even your favorite travel mug. The details determine whether your experience is “meh” or “heck yes!”.
And it’s especially true for your home. Changes to layout, finishes, and furnishings offer a huge impact, no doubt. But they also come with a hefty price tag.
Tweaking the details, though — like swapping the hardware on your bathroom vanity or adding a subway tile backsplash in your kitchen — provides a serious upgrade for minimal investment.
So hone in on the details — what could you do today to give your space a refresh?
2. Can’t Fix It? Fake It.
Whether you’re stuck with the finishes in your rental property or just aren’t in a financial place to take on bigger projects, there are some clever tricks to upgrade finishes without actually having to replace anything.
In an afternoon and for a few bucks, you can transform your bathroom or kitchen floor with grout paint and a craft paintbrush. Upgrade from dingy grey to bright white in a couple of hours and see the world of difference it makes.
Marble contact paper is a go-to for those who love budget-friendly design hacks. It’s shockingly realistic and can totally upgrade a beat-up coffee table or boring wall shelves in less than an hour. It also makes a great (removable) faux backsplash to upgrade your rental kitchen.
And don’t underestimate what a can of spray paint can do for an ugly light fixture.
Photo by Krisztina Papp from Pexels
3. Take Inventory of Your Textiles
If furniture and paint colors are the outfit of a room, textiles are the jewelry.
Pillows, curtains, and throw blankets add color, pattern, and texture to your space and make it uniquely your own. Fortunately, they’re also relatively inexpensive.
Grab a few new pillow covers to pop against the living room sofa or try a new pair of curtains to change up the color palette in the dining room.
And don’t forget about the bathroom. New fluffy towels on the wall hooks bring your bathroom up a notch, not to mention provide a luxurious end to a rejuvenating lavender bath.
4. Go Green
Not only do houseplants provide a pop of color to liven up your space, but environmental studies conducted by NASA researchers have shown plants can drastically reduce toxins and purify the air around you.
This means a healthier home for you and your family, which is especially good news in the winter months when you likely spend most of your hours indoors.
Visit your local greenhouse or garden center and choose a few plants that suit your style. Some do best in full sun and others can survive with minimal light. Some even thrive when you forget to water them for a week (or 3) so there’s truly an option out there for everyone.
5. Design for the Senses
While you might consider design to be a purely visual exercise, we all know that some spaces just feel good to be in.
And others, not so much.
Oftentimes this is about the visual experience, but our other senses offer important feedback about a room, too, and it’s important to take them into account.
Some retailers have capitalized on this and invest heavily on scent marketing research to hone a signature scent for their brand.
These scents are designed to inspire purchases, increase time spent in the retail store itself, or become central to their brand aesthetic as a whole.
You can apply this same thinking to your own home:
Some scents like lavender and vanilla promote relaxation and calm.
Others, such as rosemary and lemon, can boost energy and encourage productivity.
So think about what you’d like to feel when you’re in various rooms of your home and consider purchasing an essential oil diffuser or naturally-scented candle for your space.
6. Liven Up Your Lighting
The nights are long this time of year and our spaces can feel dark and gloomy.
Brighten up your room with a new accent lamp or two.
Or swap out bluish CFL bulbs for a warmer hue for a super cheap design hack that requires absolutely zero DIY skills.
A mirror can brighten up a room, too. Place one opposite a large window to reflect extra daylight and double your view.
And if pitch black mornings make it hard to get rolling in the am, a daylight alarm clock can help jump start your day.
Photo by Dmitry Zvolskiy from Pexels
7. Never Underestimate the Power of Paint
Paint is the ultimate budget-friendly design tool.
For less than 50 bucks and an afternoon of effort, you can create a whole new room:
a fresh coat of white on a 90s oak vanity
a dramatic accent wall, or
a modern upgrade to a dated brick fireplace
can each make a space feel completely different.
Not able to paint your walls? Give your living room bookcases or coffee table a new pop of color.
8. Switch It Up
This one is 100% free, guys.
Sometimes you have really great pieces, they just start to feel stale after a while.
Move things around to change up the vibe in a few spaces at once:
Swap out the throw pillows between your sofa and your bed
Switch area rugs or curtains between rooms
Round up your decorative objects from around the house and find them new places to live
By simply giving things a new spot in your house, you can create a whole new feel in your home.
9. Get Thrifty
Many people replace furnishings and home décor around the holidays as they prepare to host houseguests or take advantage of holiday furniture deals.
Check out sites like Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace to see what you can snag for pennies on the dollar.
And don’t forget about local thrift shops. Many support wonderful causes, so you can upgrade your home while investing in your community.
Win-win!
10. Clear Out Clutter
Sometimes what your space needs isn’t an upgrade but a pare down.
It’s amazing how removing clutter, extras, and nicknacks can breathe new life into a space.
Take an honest inventory of your room and what you can live without, then figure out where to donate things you no longer need.
Organizations that resettle refugees or women who’ve escaped abuse would love your gently used housewares.
Check with your local Y or family center about donating toys.
A free lending library in a nearby park is the perfect spot to gift books someone else might enjoy.
Once you pare down your belongings, it’s easier to thoughtfully display the things that truly matter to you and show off your unique style.
Photo by Manja Vitolic on Unsplash
11. Deck the Walls
Don’t forget about wall art. It can bring a pop of color to your space, anchor a wall above a bookcase, or create a focal point in the room. And while it’s wonderful to invest in an art collection and support local artists when you can, it’s not always in the budget.
Other options? Create your own! There are some amazing DIY tutorials out there if you’re feeling a little crafty.
Not a DIYer? No problem.
Revisit your favorite memories daily by framing beloved family or travel photos. You can choose one or two for large-scale pieces, or create a gallery wall.
Maps, textiles, and vintage objects all make unique artwork, too, and are generally inexpensive. Plan a Saturday excursion to a quirky vintage store or thrift shop to see what you can uncover.
12. Wallpaper Wow Factor
Wallpaper has made a huge comeback in recent years.
If you’ve ever had to painstakingly peel off someone else’s blue and white goose border or metallic damask (no, just me?) this idea might not thrill you.
But wallpaper has come a long way, baby.
There are removable options for renters (or commitment-phobes) and so many styles to choose from.
If you’re not ready to commit to a whole wall, try it out as a bold accent on the back of a bookcase or as artwork in an oversized frame above the fireplace.
I hope this list of cheap home design hacks inspires you to liven up your space this January, friend!
Design has such a huge impact on how we live and function in a space.
It’s definitely worth your time (and a little bit of cash) to make your home a place you absolutely love.
Tried any of these (or other) tricks to upgrade your home on the cheap? Share the details in the comments!