I have to admit that I love all things interior design. I spend my days writing about personal finance, but in my spare time, I read design blogs and magazines in search of house decorating ideas. I prefer HGTV over CNBC. And I would redecorate my home every year if I could afford it.
But that's the thing: Decorating your home can get expensive. As a financial writer, I know better than to blow all of my money on home decor. But I also don't want to fill my house with just flimsy, cheap furniture and cast-off items better left on the curb for the garbage man.
Buy Furniture Store Floor Samples
Often, the items that are displayed in furniture stores are samples, and you have to order a new model to be shipped to your home. But stores will sell their samples as they try to clear their showrooms for new furniture and accessory lines. Buying floor samples is a great way to avoid one of the sneaky expenses of renovating your home.If you don't mind something that might have some fading or a few nicks, you can save a lot buying floor samples. I recently bought a large armchair and ottoman in great condition from the showroom floor that was marked down to $408.88 from $749.98. Over the years, I've saved at least 50 percent on rugs, a sectional sofa and a dining table that were floor samples with a few signs of wear. So, before buying new ask whether a store has any floor models it will sell.
Shop at Consignment Stores
I've found plenty of cheap home decor by buying used instead of new at consignment stores. Sometimes it's OK to buy used instead of new. Typically, these stores sell items that are in good condition for up to 50 percent off their original retail price. I recently bought a table and four chairs for $149 at a consignment store so my kids could have a place to do crafts and homework. The table wasn't in perfect condition, but I didn't mind because I was aiming for a rustic look.In addition to furniture, you'll likely find art, accessories and lighting at consignment stores. If you have more than one store where you live, shop around because the selection and prices can vary greatly.
Check Out Estate Sales or Auctions
Search online or check your local newspaper for estate sales and auctions in your town, which can be a great way to score cheap home decor. When my husband and I needed to furnish our first home, we attended an auction for a house and its furnishings. We scored a mid-century modern dining table with six chairs, a console and a leather loveseat for about $400.At another estate sale, I bought a vintage steamer trunk that I use as a coffee table for just $50. You also can bid on items in online estate sales at Everything But The House. Most items purchased on the site can be shipped.
Accept Family Hand-Me-Downs
One of the biggest sources of furniture for my house has been my family. I have accepted tables, beds, dressers, mirrors and other items from my parents with open arms — or, more precisely, with an open trailer or moving truck. You can use hand-me-downs to stock every room in your house.Most of the things that have been passed onto me have been antiques or decades-old solid wood furniture that would be well above my price range if I were to buy something similar. But I mix the hand-me-downs with new purchases I can afford to achieve a more updated look in my house.
Yes, it's OK to mix and match styles. You can paint older items to make them look more modern or to better match your style. And you can reupholster that plaid sofa from grandma's house at a fraction of the cost you'd pay for a new one.
Try Your Hand at DIY
You can upgrade your home decor with DIY projects. Whether it's adding a fresh coat of paint or making furniture, you can save a lot by doing it on your own. Using step-by-step instructions he found online, my husband made a large farmhouse-style dining table and benches for less than $300 (including the purchase of a sander for about $50). A similar table sold by Pottery Barn costs about $2,000 — and that doesn't include benches or chairs.We also recently saved about $5,000 during a home renovation to boost our property value by opting to do the painting ourselves rather than pay our contractor to do it. We spent about $400 on paint for the ceilings, walls and trim in four rooms and spent a few evenings and a weekend doing the work. With an abundance of DIY tutorials online, it's easy to find ones that will help you execute projects around your house.
Don’t Overlook Big-Box Retailers
Believe it or not, Walmart has stepped up its home decor game and now offers more trendy accessories and furniture. I recently bought several decorative storage baskets for about $10 each at Walmart. I also bought a bunk bed for my son that looked similar to one I found in a Pottery Barn Kids catalog, but cost less than $200 instead of $1,500. Guess what? It's still holding up. And the comforters on the bed come from Target but look similar to ones I saw for twice as much in the Land of Nod catalog.
Take Advantage of Your Warehouse Club Membership
I also picked up a large throw blanket for $15 for my kids to snuggle in while watching TV. It matched the color scheme of our TV room perfectly, and cost less than what I'd have to pay at a home goods store.
Wait for Sales
For years, my husband and I slept on a mattress and box springs on a simple metal frame — no headboard or nice bed frame. I was waiting for the perfect deal, which I found at West Elm. A king-size metal bed that originally was priced close to $1,000 was put on clearance for $100. If you have your eye on something, don't be afraid to ask the sales clerk when the store typically has sales or how long it takes before items are put on clearance.
Get Affordable Artwork
I've found inexpensive original art at craft shows, university art department sales and small galleries (skip the ones that feature well-known artists). Check consignment stores and yard sales for artwork. Or visit a site such as Etsy to find original pieces at affordable prices.
I also have framed photographs taken by my husband, who's a pretty good amateur photographer. I've hung my kids' artwork in their rooms. And I've even done some paintings for my house.
Don’t Be Afraid to Haggle
When buying a rug that was a floor sample, my husband and I pointed out that it showed signs of wear and tear. So the salesperson knocked $50 off the already marked-down price. And I got the owner of a small furniture store to take 10 percent off the price of a sectional sofa by letting her know that I really liked the sofa but wished the price were a little lower.
Using all of these strategies have helped me save thousands of dollars over the years on home decor.
