Wish You Could Redecorate on a Budget? Here Are Some Easy Ideas

Do you wish you could totally redecorate and update your home but have little or no money to spend? Then this guide is for you! For the past week, I've been transforming my home with cozy updates while transitioning into the fall season. Today, I’m excited to share 15 free and budget-friendly ways to refresh your space.

Let’s dive in!

1. Rearrange Your Furniture

The number one completely free way to refresh your home is to rearrange your furniture. Moving things around can open your eyes to new uses for your furniture. Have you ever noticed how changing one thing in a room can trigger a domino effect? Before you know it, your space feels completely different.

For example, I needed to find a new spot for the display cabinet I made over last week because it was sticking out into the walkway.

The only other space was behind the sofa, but I had to raise it so the doors could swing open over the back cushions. As a temporary fix, I used bed risers but plan to eventually replace the lower part with something taller.

Moving the cabinet also led me to switch the black sofa table into the kitchen. Rearranging furniture promotes decluttering, and I used this opportunity to decide which items to keep and which to donate.

2. Deep Clean While Rearranging

Rearranging also promotes a deep clean. For example, when I moved the green display cabinet, I brought back the smaller desk to fill that space. Moving things gave me the perfect reason to clean all the surfaces I hadn’t touched in months!

I even switched out the end tables flanking the sofa. I personally love using an eclectic mix of tables in a room and would never buy matching sets. Changing the tables prompted me to switch out the lamps, which wasn’t even in my original plan.

One change led to another, and soon enough, I had moved a faux tree to a new spot across from the blue chairs, which I absolutely love now.

3. Try Out New Rugs

If a new rug isn’t in your budget, you can often switch around rugs you already have. After my dog Edgar chewed up the rug under the blue chairs, I tried one I already had, but it was too small.

Eventually, I went shopping for a larger one. You can also find great deals on Facebook Marketplace or even at Goodwill. I’ve bought nearly-new rugs for a fraction of the cost.

4. Update Small Spaces with Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper

I love using peel-and-stick wallpaper! A while ago, I lined my bookshelves with damask wallpaper, but I was ready for a change.

This time, I used a solid pale green paper to add more green to the family room. It’s a budget-friendly project—one roll of wallpaper is often under $20.

Hanging wallpaper in cabinets or bookshelves often creates a domino effect too! After updating the paper, I rearranged the decor on the shelves for a fresh look:

5. Add Natural Elements to Your Decor

Bringing nature inside is a budget-friendly way to create a peaceful and relaxing environment. Elements like branches, stones, and plants add depth to a space. I found a bird’s nest in my front door wreath, and after freezing it for a few days (to kill any bacteria or bugs), it became a beautiful decor piece:

I also love ferns but can never keep them alive indoors. I recently bought a self-watering fern called "Wick and Grow" from Lowe’s. Hopefully, it thrives, but I always have pothos plants around because they’re practically indestructible.

6. Use Paint for Quick Updates

Paint is the most economical way to change a room, but you don’t always have time or energy to paint an entire room. So, why not refresh a piece of furniture?

I recently wanted to repaint my fireplace mantle with a hint of green. I mixed some leftover gray and olive green paint and repainted it, but it didn’t turn out as green as I’d hoped. Still, it looks fresh and clean!

I decided to repaint the metal decor piece I was using as a fireplace screen.

Initially, I spray-painted it black, but once inside, it seemed too dark next to the mantle. I took it back outside, distressed it with sandpaper, but didn’t love the result—it might have even looked worse.

So, I applied a coat of bronze spray paint instead. After the paint dried, it still felt a bit flat, so I added a layer of black wax for dimension, brushing it on and dabbing off the excess with a paper towel.

I like the darker color for autumn and winter, and since I'm already transitioning into fall decor, I decided to get a head start, especially with my oldest son, Nick, and his fiancée, Amaya, getting married in November.

About 90% of my fireplace decor was purchased at thrift stores, including a gorgeous oil painting I thrifted for just a few dollars.

It didn’t fit on the mantel, so I leaned it against the fire screen—though, of course, I’ll move it out of the way if we light a fire.

7. Revamp Wall Art for a New Look

New wall decor can instantly give your room a fresh, updated look. I believe wall art should reflect our personality and interests, and since my interests are always evolving, so is my wall art. The area behind the sofa is the only large expansive wall in my family room, so I frequently switch it out to keep things fresh.

I recently thrifted four vintage Courier and Ives prints, which look perfect next to the green display cabinet:

I think I want to swap out the large gray mirror in my foyer, and with all the recent rearranging, I know exactly what to put there.

This piece of architectural salvage is actually the front panel from an antique piano that a friend gave me several years ago.

I used florist wire to attach a wreath and hung it on the existing screws by attaching two d-rings on the back. I love that I can change out the wreath with the seasons.

8. Freshen Up with Curtains

Curtains can make a big difference in how cozy a room feels. I had an old set of blue curtains that were too long for my patio doors, so I hemmed them myself.

To keep things budget-friendly, you can buy inexpensive pillow covers and curtains from stores like IKEA or Hobby Lobby—or even thrift them!

9. Thrift Store Finds and DIY Touches

I’m a huge fan of using thrift store finds in home decor. They’re not only cost-effective but add unique charm and character.

For example, I found a glass jewelry box at a thrift store that I now use to display natural elements from my yard:

I also thrifted a wicker vase and placed faux stems in it for the library. I adjusted the height of the stems by placing plastic bags at the bottom of the vase!

10. Quick Textiles Swap

Textiles like pillows, blankets, and rugs are easy to change for a seasonal update. I like to swap lighter fabrics for darker, heavier ones in the fall and winter.

Mixing in velvet is a great way to add texture and warmth.

11. Use Small Spaces Creatively

Even the smallest spaces in your home can be updated! I found a plate rack at Goodwill that was just perfect for the side of my refrigerator.

It’s now filled with thrifted china and books and makes me smile every time I walk by.

I had previously changed out the handles on these drawers during my industrial farmhouse phase, but now I wanted something new.

I bought some cute knobs at Hobby Lobby, which were on sale for just $2 each.

To make them work, I patched the old holes with wood putty, and once the putty dried, I sanded the drawer fronts smooth.

Then I marked the center where I wanted the new knobs, drilled a hole, and repainted the drawer fronts with spray paint for a quick and easy fix.

Sometimes a decor piece doesn’t need a major overhaul—just a little embellishment to really shine. My family room lampshades were fine, but who wants just fine when you can have something special?

I bought four rolls of green velvet ribbon on sale at Hobby Lobby for $1.20 per roll. When hot gluing trim on a lampshade, I find it's best to glue long strips at a time for a straighter application than gluing in small sections.

I also feel like light switch plate covers are the jewelry of a room, and I can’t believe I’ve been living with a mirrored light cover when I have two thrifted covers that are so much better!