Remember that whole truth about owning a fixer upper conversation from the other day? In the past several months, we’ve shelled out quite a chunk to get our water heater replaced, our dated electric work throughout the house redone, and our HVAC replaced, and that’s just the tip of the always-home-improving iceberg.

And while we know this house is totally worth it, that subject lends itself to another challenge that we’re very familiar with after 4 years of this home blogging journey- decorating a house for FREE. Totally and completely $0.

It’s gotten me brainstorming lots of great ideas lately if you’ve been craving a decorating refresh in your home too without paying the price.

14 Ways to Decorate Your House for Free:

1. Frame printables or public domain images.

Usually, just good ol’ Google does the trick for searching free printables and public domain images. You can find lots of them in all of these printable hops, but they are all over Pinterest ready to be printed straight from your computer.

2. Rearrange your furniture.

It’s like getting a brand new piece for a room that you shopped in your own home. Our master bedroom nightstands will be getting a new home in Olivia’s bedroom very soon.

3. Recycle old jars to turn into vases and centerpieces.

Give them a good wash and fill them with flowers or use them as votives for candles.

4. Rotate pillows and rugs room to room.

Change up the whole color scheme in your bedroom by swapping rugs and pillows from your living room or vice versa.

5. Clip flowers or branches from your yard (if you have one). 

Bonus: They always last much longer than buying them from the store because they’re fresher.

6. Display old family mementos that have meaning. 

That top suitcase belonged to my grandparents that they took on their honeymoon over 60 years ago. It’s one of my favorite things that I love seeing every day. Check out this post for more sentimental decor ideas.

7. Declutter your shelves, tabletops, and countertops.

Nothing makes me appreciate our home more than after we’ve decluttered.

8. Restyle your coffee table or dining table with pieces already in your stash.

Even just a pitcher from your kitchen with flowers can brighten an entire room.

9. Have a decor swap with your friends. 

Pull together decor you’re no longer in love with and have decor-enthusiast friends over for a swap. Make a girls’ night of it!

10. Check Craigslist and Facebook buy/sell/grade groups for free furniture and decor.

People who need to move in a hurry, are purging after an estate sale, or have large pieces of furniture they just want hauled away often post items for free to whomever is willing to pick it up quickly.

11. Turn sheets into curtains. 

I haven’t tried this one personally, but it would be a great idea, especially if you have an abundance of extra plain white sheets to create an light, airy effect in a room. This tutorial can help. 

12. Frame a dish towel.

Cute dish towels are cheap already, but if you have a pretty one currently in your kitchen drawer that you love, frame it!

13. Sell decor you no longer want so you can buy new decor you love.

This is one I do all the time. List items on Facebook buy/sell/trade groups, Craigslist, or apps like Offer Up and Let Go to make money to go towards a home refresh. Or this post on how to host a successful garage sale can help.

14. Paint your furniture with paint already in your stash. 

You can use spray paint, wall paint (just make sure you prime first), chalk paint, mineral paint, whatever you have on hand to give a new look to any furniture in your home that is looking drab. This post with The Beginner’s Guide to Painting Furniture can help.

Got any free decorating strategies you’ve used on your own? Comment below so we can make this post an ongoing resource for everyone to get ideas. I’m all ears! We need all the help we can get over here to get these other rooms in ship shape.

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