We’ve all been there: ballin’ on a budget, but with Pinterest boards filled with photos from Architectural Digest and Elle Decor. So what’s a girl to do? While most of us can’t stock up on all the designer furniture our hearts desire, there are countless creative ways to rework your home into a place you love. Scroll down for nine tricks of the trade we use on repeat…
Add color.
Just one pint of paint from the hardware store can go a long way in freshening up your pad. Apply a few coats to an old dresser, your front door, or a thrifted wooden chair to satisfy any color craving you may be experiencing.
Rearrange your furniture.
It’s the oldest trick in the book. Spend an afternoon rearranging the furniture in your home to instantly breathe new life into your space.
Foliage for free.
Everyone knows that a vase of fresh flowers or greenery instantly brightens up a space, but don’t think that means you need to go out and spend $20 at the flower shop. Instead, trim sprigs of greenery from just about any tree or shrub, and set them in water for an easy arrangement that costs nada.
Put a throw on it.
It seems obvious, sure, but lest not forget that a couple throw pillows and a punchy blanket can work wonders to infuse some color into your home.
photo by molly winters for camille styles
Conceal your cords.
If you feel that your office space or living room looks messy and cluttered, your cord situation might be to blame. That tangled mess is anything but feng shui, so clean it up by taping it to the back of furniture or hiding it with a cord cover.
Make your own artwork.
You don’t have to be an artist to DIY your own wall decor. Our very own Carmen framed this fun wrapping paper in inexpensive Ikea frames to create this graphic, colorful art piece.
Purge.
For when you’re completely over your current place, get rid of (almost) everything in it. You’ll be left with a clean, minimalist canvas, and if you have some things of value, you may even end up making some money.
Replace knobs and pulls.
One of the easiest and most effective renter hacks: replace existing knobs and pulls in your kitchen or on a dresser. This tutorial for DIY leather drawer pulls will instantly give your rental a modern edge, without the price tag.
Move rugs around.
Relocating your rugs from room to room can inspire new arrangements and combinations you would have never thought of. From the kitchen to the bathroom, the living room to the dining, try giving an old favorite a new home.
