Professional Organizer and Productivity Consultant at Firefly Bridge Organizing
Answered a year ago
When I signed the lease for my first solo apartment in 1994, I went to World Market, spent $300 on a set of green glass pedestal bowls of varying sizes and placed them in the center of my mantel as my "decor". They collected dust. When I now go into clients' homes to organize and style their spaces, we bring their mood board along with us and search for decor pieces from their own kitchen cabinets and hall closets that complement the decorating scheme: things like beautiful ceramic vases, sculptural amber jars with lids that can store anything from paper clips to cotton balls, and even a stack of brightly-glazed everyday pasta bowls. We do this before looking to purchase new items. We then display the pieces on shelves, along with their books and personal items. These things don't collect dust because they get used often! And yet they look beautiful and planned. So confidently pull out things you actually use in your home, and love the look of, and place them as decor on your shelves. It will save you both time and money.
Save hundreds of dollars by buying designer-looking pillows with a zipper at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Amazon, or Wayfair, and then swap out the insert for a high-quality down or down alternative pillow. Look for pillow inserts that are fluffy and soft (not the standard cotton batting), and your pillows will give you the designer look for WAY less. While you're at it, make sure your insert is one size larger than the size of your pillowcase for extra opulence and fluff. I get my pillow inserts on Amazon.
As a professional organizer, I sometimes offer ideas on decorating beautifully and efficiently. You can save money on duplicate purchases if you store seasonal decor in labeled containers by season. This will make finding what you have faster and easier, and reduce purchasing more items because you no longer know what you already have.
Skip trends! Buying something trendy, only to donate it or sell it for 10% of what you paid a year later is just flushing money down the john. Instead, find inspiration from all over, and from any decade. Plan out your space (a designer can help!) and make thoughtful, considered purchases. Invest in timeless pieces, and save the trends for accents - or only adopt the ones you authentically love and will keep for a long time.
One effective home decorating tip that can save both time and money is rearranging furniture. This simple yet powerful technique can transform the look and feel of a room without spending a dime. By moving pieces around, you create new focal points, improve flow, and potentially uncover hidden potential in your space. Rearranging furniture allows you to see your room from a fresh perspective. It's an opportunity to reassess the functionality of your space and make adjustments that better suit your lifestyle. For instance, you might discover that moving a sofa away from a wall creates a more inviting conversation area, or that repositioning a bookshelf can showcase your favorite decor items more effectively. This approach also encourages creativity and problem-solving. You may find innovative ways to use existing pieces, such as repurposing a side table as a nightstand or using a dresser as a media console. John Lattanzio, CEO of John Angelo Photography, emphasizes the power of this technique: "Rearranging furniture is like giving your home a free makeover. It's amazing how a simple shift in layout can completely change the energy of a room." To make the process easier, consider investing in furniture sliders. These inexpensive tools allow you to move heavy pieces effortlessly across various floor types, preventing damage and reducing physical strain. This small investment can pay off in the long run by protecting your floors and furniture. When rearranging, keep in mind basic design principles such as balance, proportion, and traffic flow. Experiment with different layouts, and don't be afraid to break conventional rules. Sometimes, an unconventional arrangement can lead to a more interesting and personalized space. Lattanzio adds, "The beauty of rearranging furniture is that it's reversible. If you don't like the new layout, you can always move things back. It's a risk-free way to experiment with your home's design." This approach not only saves money on new furniture or decor but also saves time that would otherwise be spent shopping, waiting for deliveries, or hiring professionals. It's an immediate solution that can be implemented in a single afternoon, providing instant gratification and a renewed appreciation for your existing possessions. John Lattanzio: "Rearranging furniture is the ultimate DIY decorating hack. It costs nothing but can completely refresh your living space. It's a testament to the power of creativity in home design."
If you can't afford to hire an interior designer, I recommend using an interior design application to help you visualise your future space. Personally, I recommended Roomstyler. It has been my go-to platform every time I've had to redecorate. It's kind of like playing Sims, but for real life. You start by creating your room with the actual measurements, then browse through a huge library of decor and design options. Moreover, you can adjust the size of furniture to match your space. You can even try out different layouts and see how they look before making any decisions. If you're a visual learner like me, this site is perfect. The best part is you can also check out designs from other users to get even more inspiration. It's a great way to explore new ideas and see what works best in your space. Basically, you can design your entire space to your liking at no cost at all.
Adding mirrors to your home is one of the best tricks to make any space feel larger and more lively, especially if you're working with smaller or darker rooms. What's great about mirrors is that they bounce light around the room to create a wonderful illusion of extra space. They're pretty flexible too, fitting in if your style is sleek and simple or strong and eclectic. If you're decorating on a budget, hitting up thrift stores can be a great way to do this. You wouldn't believe the deals you can find on mirrors that still have lots of life left in them. And usually, these pieces come with unique frames that really stand out. A quick tip if you pick up a mirror and it feels a bit outdated: a simple paint job on the frame can completely turn it. Facebook marketplace is also a great place to check out mirrors, as many people post them for sale if they are moving. Plus, you can try grouping a few smaller mirrors together which is an affordable way to improve light and add character to your space without emptying your wallet.
Take an old ladder, instead of spending on a brand-new bookshelf, an unused or secondhand ladder can be transformed into a one-of-a-kind storage piece. With just a bit of imagination and effort, you can turn it into a charming addition to your home. Ladders are surprisingly easy to come by-you might find one tucked away in your attic, score a bargain at a garage sale, or pick one up at a thrift store. Once you've got your hands on one, the possibilities are endless. You can lean it against a wall to display books, potted plants, or even hang decorative throws for added texture. For a more polished look, you might sand it down and give it a fresh coat of paint or stain that complements your decor. Not only does upcycling an old ladder add a rustic or vintage charm to your space, but it's also a win for sustainability.
My best home decorating advice for saving time and money is to invest in flexible furniture. By selecting high quality pieces that serve several functions, such as a sofa bed, extended dining table, or storage ottoman, you can customise your space to meet a range of demands without having to purchase more items. Using this tip not only lowers clutter but also increases functionality in smaller places, which is especially advantageous for those who regularly renovate their houses. When you also focus on buying durable materials you can reduce replacement costs over time.
An elegant paravan. I fell in love with the foldable paper wall, also called stretchable paper wall partition or room divider that can instantly change the background for your virtual meetings for example. Nobody needs to see your home from the inside uninvited. It works fast and looks professional. Because it is foldable, it can be stretched to cover a whole wall or function as a room partition. It's an investment but golden for saving time and money.
The Budget-Friendly Secret to Home Decorating of Rearranging and Repurposing One home decorating tip that has saved me both time and money is to focus on rearranging and repurposing what you already have before buying anything new. I learned this when redecorating my living room on a tight budget. Instead of heading straight to a store, I took a step back and looked at what I already owned. By simply moving a rug from the bedroom to the living room and swapping artwork between rooms, the entire space felt refreshed. I also repurposed an old wooden ladder as a stylish blanket rack. These small changes gave the room a completely new vibe without spending a dime. It taught me that creativity and a fresh perspective can often make a bigger impact than a shopping spree. Plus, it's a fun and sustainable way to refresh your home!
From my experience cleaning hundreds of homes, I've noticed that keeping decor simple with easy-to-clean items like washable throw pillows and removable slipcovers saves both time and cleaning costs. Just last week, one of my clients switched to machine-washable rugs in high-traffic areas, cutting their cleaning time in half while maintaining a stylish look.
One home decorating tip that saves both time and money is to invest in versatile, multi-functional pieces that elevate your space while serving more than one purpose. A perfect example is a luxury leather ottoman. Not only does it add a touch of sophistication to any room, but it can also double as a coffee table, extra seating, or even hidden storage. Here's why this approach works: Instead of purchasing multiple items to fill a space, a well-chosen, high-quality piece like a leather ottoman covers several needs in one go. It saves you the time of searching for separate items, and because it serves multiple functions, it reduces the overall cost of furnishing a room. For example, in a recent client project, we designed a cozy living room where space was limited. Instead of opting for a separate table and extra seating, we incorporated a custom-made leather ottoman with a sturdy, flat top. Paired with a decorative tray, it functioned as a stylish coffee table while being easy to move around for additional seating during gatherings. Inside, it provided hidden storage for blankets and magazines-keeping the room organized and clutter-free. To maximize savings, look for pieces crafted from durable materials like full-grain leather. While the upfront investment might be slightly higher, their longevity and timeless appeal save money in the long run by eliminating the need for frequent replacements. Decorating doesn't have to mean choosing style over function. By selecting versatile pieces, you can achieve a beautiful, cohesive space while saving time and staying within budget. It's a practical yet elegant approach to home design.
One effective home decorating tip that saves time and money is to shop your home. This approach means rediscovering and repurposing items you already own rather than purchasing new decor. By moving furniture, artwork, and accessories from one room to another, you can create a fresh look without spending a dime. This method not only saves costs but also allows for rapid change that can be done in less than an hour. It encourages creativity and resourcefulness and sees your space in a way you never thought you had. This practice also reduces the clutter and gives you minimalism, which helps organize your home and make it more inviting.
I believe the fastest and one of the most effective home decorating tips is to add a room fragrance to every room. Instantly, your home will feel refreshed, distinctive and welcoming. Just ensure all the wonderfully fragrances harmonise and change them with the seasons or occasions. Home Fragrance is one of the things about last when decorating but probably has one of the highest impacts when decorating at a lot lower cost.