Your home on a budget
Something I think about often is how to design and decorate a home when you live on a budget. Without credit cards. We are in a rental. How do we make the space unique for us when we cannot alter the layout or architecture of the home?
I see a lot of bland white spaces online which is definitely the result of social media and HGTV greige washing our world. Since the pandemic more and more people are embracing color and walls and I am so glad!
I remember the 1990s and my mother decorating our new house. We moved into my childhood home when I was 4-5. My father was working in Canada and Mom was getting the house in order by herself. She didn’t have a lot of money to decorate back then but somehow she managed to make a happy space that was the backdrop to all our birthdays, Christmases, and every season in between. She always (still does) decorated with freshly cut flowers, candles, antiques, and a lot of tchotchkes collected through the years. We are doing the same. We are making a home that is unique to us through merging our belongings and growing collections together.
All of this is to say that there is a way to make a beautiful custom home even if you can’t afford custom upholstery, or custom built furniture, or don’t have the funds to hire a designer. Here are my tips:
Avoid comparing yourself to what you see on social media. Comparison is the thief of joy. Use it sparingly and to inspire you. We’re made to think luxury is a white box by the media. Decorate in ways that relax you, excite you, bring joy to you when you’re in your home. To me luxury is feeling hugged by my environment, sharing it with my loved one, and by receiving compliments from visitors. I want my home to reflect who I am and who I’m becoming.
Paint the walls and the ceiling. Fresh paint makes a world of difference and can brighten any room. Home Improvement Store paint works just fine.
Big box items: buy the best you can afford to invest in a quality sofa/mattress. You may find a really amazing vintage piece but if upholstery is required that is a big expense. It’s difficult to find quality fabric at the consumer level- most fabric is Trade Only. I’ve never attempted anything with JoAnn, Hobby Lobby, Michaels, etc. I think these stores are great for curtains, pillows, etc., but not sure about large scale, high traffic pieces. Let me know your experience! Make sure to avoid the fast furniture industry. Affordability is one thing and cheaply made is another. We purchased our sofa from CB2. After shopping around and comparing silhouettes we liked, both high and low end, CB2 made the most sense for us. We like their modern interpretations of vintage styles which pair well with our other pieces.
Books: A home needs books. Coffee table books, books on shelves, books scattered about, books on the nightstands. All over! The subject matter of your books is a great way to customize your space. Books let visitors get a sense of what is important to you, what your interests are. Also, book covers are like mini works of art.
Buy vintage decor: I think this is the best way to add a personal touch to the home. To balance out the big box, visit flea markets, antique stores, and vintage shops in your home town and whenever you travel. Shop ebay, facebook marketplace, etsy, chairish, and auction sites. Decorative objects that are meaningful to you will help create a lived in, collected home. Every object in my space brings back a memory.
Art: There are a lot of resources online where to buy art (paintings/prints). I don’t like these resources personally because I know I may walk into someone’s home and see the same mass produced piece! I suggest again looking in the vintage shops if you want a one of a kind piece. And of course, if budget allows, invest in your favorite artist! The local art scene is also a great way to buy unique pieces. Visit the markets and craft shows.
Give yourself time: It seems like on Instagram these immaculate houses pop up over night. False reality. Good design (building, sourcing, installing) and filling your home takes months-years! There was a time when I would buy decorative objects from Target - a vase here, a thing there. Over time I was able to replace with more meaningful objects. It takes time. Give yourself time to collect and appreciate your home and your life experiences.
Buy what you like. When you see something you like, that you gravitate towards, buy it! You’ll find a place for it. It’s funny how things come together. For the most part. Rita Konig talks about how much stuff is needed to fill a home. A lot. Think of all the walls, shelves, and surfaces you can place an object. Don’t worry about “will this go together?” It will go somewhere.
Enlist your friends: your friends are talented. Ask them for help! Can they sew? Make your own curtains or throw pillows. Are they a photographer? Take a beautiful photo, super enlarge it, and hang it on your wall. Do they throw? Commission a beautiful vase or set of plates.
DIY: I personally stink at DIY but so appreciate the folks who can construct their own built-ins, lay their own tile, etc. YouTube it and do it yourself. Build the thing and save money!
