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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Kathy says
March 12, 2018 at 10:49 amRepurpose something you have (maybe in the attic or basement). A stool could become a plant stand. A quilt could become a wall hanging. A cheese plate with a glass cover can become a cloche for decorating filled with seasonal items – nests, eggs, ornaments etc. Large old picture frames can be painted and used without pictures, glass and backing as a square or rectangular shape on a chest or mantle.
Lauren says
March 12, 2018 at 4:08 pmToo funny! I’m using that cloche one in a trash to treasure transformation post tomorrow. 🙂 Love all of those ideas!
[email protected] says
March 12, 2018 at 11:36 amI feel like I’m super special now because we think alike! Although I’ve never thought of #9 before but think it’s a super fun idea! Great post!
Cindy in Oklahoma says
March 12, 2018 at 2:26 pmDon’t forget books. Some covers are so pretty or a group of one color can provide a temporary pop. I set an old vintage Wizard of Oz book last week in a pretty shabby white metal plate holder for something different to love on a small wall in my office. Cost me nothing….
Lauren says
March 12, 2018 at 4:05 pmYes! I love sticking pretty vintage books everywhere too. They constantly show up in thrift stores for 50 cents each.
Gwen says
March 13, 2018 at 3:26 amLove this post. I’m forever going through herloom dishes to display on the shelves of my “hutch”. I like to use yard greenery. I think Joanna Gaines gave us the freedom in her early shows to do that. I like the reminder to spray paint.
I’ll try not to spend money on new decor. I overheard a girl about your daughter ‘s age say in Target in the Magnolia section that it was nice but too expensive ??
Lanita Anderson says
March 13, 2018 at 11:36 amOK, this might be one of my favorite posts (well, if you’re not counting the decor posts, tablescape posts, trash to treasure posts, etc!). I LOVED reading and being reminded of all of these great ideas!! Thank you for sharing….. I’m off to shop my house!!
Anne says
March 13, 2018 at 12:50 pmI like to knit, cross stitch etc and have a lot of stash. I fill bowls and jars with floss and baskets with wool the colors of the seasons. I also swap out the quilts on display.
Lelia says
March 14, 2018 at 7:04 pmI’ve been known to frame big sheets of nice gift wrapping paper (like from Paper Source or Papyrus) as wall artwork
Margo says
March 14, 2018 at 10:08 pmI love all of these ideas. I love getting your posts about the decorating you do in your own home. Please tell me about the rug in your living room. What are all the colors in it and where did you get it? Thank you so much and have a blessed day.
Mindy says
March 19, 2018 at 7:28 pmI have thought of framing fabric but not kitchen towels and they make such cute ones these days that they are like art. Great idea!
Ivory says
April 7, 2018 at 12:15 amI always love everything you post, and I truly love this one. So helpful, and I will be using it as I attempt to rearrange/decorate our home. This summer: (place in flower garden), a large empty plastic 2 liter pop bottle, punch holes throughout the plastic bottle, screw the bottle onto your garden hose, turn on the water, and start watering your flowers.
Amanda says
August 1, 2018 at 4:09 amGorgeous! These are the best ways to decorate the house. I am so inspired and got some great ideas. Thanks for sharing the great article.
Rebecca Goodspeed says
October 23, 2018 at 6:09 amI loved scrolling through your ideas. The projects you shared are simple yet stunning. I love the way you have taken less expensive ways to create a beautiful home.
Lauren says
October 23, 2018 at 3:22 pmRebecca, you are too sweet! Thank you for following and being a part of this journey. I hope you use the ideas for your home as well.
I Buy Houses Ontario says
January 7, 2019 at 12:07 amThanks for posting this kind of article. It really helps a lot. The ideas were so simple yet it gives a very concrete example on how to decorate a house.
House Painter says
February 26, 2019 at 7:31 pmLauren, you are so creative! Thanks for these great ideas. Will keep reading your blog.
Lauren says
February 26, 2019 at 8:53 pmThank you!! I am so happy to have you follow our journey!
Akshay says
April 13, 2019 at 6:23 amthis might be one of my favorite posts. I loved reading and being reminded of all of these great ideas! I love all of these ideas. Your Designs are so amazing, unique and beautiful. It’s quite good to see all these great ideas for a perfect home decor. I really loved the idea for living room, dining area, kitchen and for the rest of the parts as well. Thank you for some great designs. Keep Posting.
Alexis says
July 12, 2019 at 9:14 amAmazing article! This has been truly helpful. Thank you very much for sharing and keep up the good work 🙂