Before you buy anything new, learn how to refresh your space with what you already own.
You’ll save time and money and have a fresh, new look.
Here are easy,budget-friendly waysto patch your home decor with ordinary objects.
Credit: Paul Costello
If your space lacks a natural attention-grabber, such as a fireplace or television, design one.
Gather throw pillows from around the house and arrange them on a sofa to add comfort and color.
Choose pillows with differentpatterns in complementary colorsfor a perfectly mismatched look.
Credit: Erin Kunkel
Display Items in Threes
Move around objectson your mantelor shelves to create a more visually pleasing arrangement.
As a general rule, odd-number groupings are more interesting than evens.
Arrange frames or objects in threes or fives for an eye-catching display.
Credit: David Tsay
Add Comfort to Chairs
Wood dining chairs and benches look sleek, but they can be uncomfortable.
This design trick adds both comfort and textural contrast to your dining space.
A large mirror serves many functions in a room.
Credit: Michael Partenio
With a beautiful frame, it becomes impactful art.
A mirror brightens the space by reflecting light and providing the illusion of an extra window.
Hang a Thoughtful Display
Greeting cards and postcards are little pieces of artwork.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Rearrange Furniture
Experiment withdifferent furniture arrangementsto transform the space without swapping out any elements.
If you don’t like the final layout, you’re free to always move the pieces back.
Consider it aunique spin on the gallery wall.
Credit: David Tsay
Frame Family Pictures
Print out family photos and other favorite memories to hang on apersonalized wall display.
Here, basic black frames with white mats give this gallery wall a polished look.
If you need a little extra length, try hanging the curtain from drapery clips.
Credit: Jason Donnelly
It can also be used as a tool to give dated furniture and accessories a much-needed lift.
Tryrepainting wood furniturein a splashy color and adding new hardware to instantly modernize an aging piece.
If you’re handy with a needle and thread, consider making your own pillow covers.
Credit: Nicolas Gourguechon
you could evenuse a sweatshirt or T-shirtfor fabric.
Add Pattern to Shelves
Upgrade ho-hum shelves with a boldly patterned backdrop.
Wallpaper, fabric, and wrapping paper remnants are all perfect fodder forlining the backs of bookcasesor built-ins.
Credit: Helen Norman
Use peel-and-stick wallpaper if you aren’t sure you’ll love this method.
Display Jewelry
Take your bracelets and necklaces out of hiding and hang them along a bedroom wall.
Mountsimple hooks or hardware knobsinside an empty frame to define the arrangement.
Credit: Nicholas Johnson
The colorful jewelry adds visual interest to your walls and keeps items from getting tangled.
Fill Your Fireplace
Spruce up a non-working firebox with an eye-catching fireplace filler.
Using books from your home library, line the inside of the firebox with a stacked arrangement.
Credit: Brie Williams
For a streamlined look, wrap the volumes first in white paper.
Birch logs make arustic farmhousealternative.
Accessorize with Collectibles
Embrace aneclectic styleby bringing a few family treasures out of the attic.
Credit: Anthony Masterson
Pick pieces that fit in and complement your existing decor.
Clean and save them until you have enough to create a pretty ensemble for a centerpiece ormantel.
Display a Poster
Skip the frame and use a wooden pants hanger to display a poster instead.
Credit: Emily Followill
Thishanging techniqueworks well with smaller posters slightly wider than the hanger.
Bigger posters may flop over at the corners.
Bonus points if the blanket coordinates with your table setting or adds to a special holiday or themed meal.
Credit: Greg Scheidemann
Bistro chairs andother outdoor seatingcan also be relocated inside.
Remove Cabinet Doors
Remove doors toturn basic cabinets into open shelving.
Check inside first to see if they need a fresh coat of paint or a good cleaning.
Credit: Jeff Herr
Bring hardcover books off the shelf to create an interesting tablescape ormantel arrangement.
Removing dust jackets can reveal a beautiful cover with eye-catching colors or designs.
The display can also be a conversation piece and prompt discussions about favorite books from childhood and beyond.
Credit: Helen Norman
Dress Up Basics
Even decorating basics can look extraordinary with a bit of embellishment.
Consider doing something fun and unexpected like adding wallpaper or evengrass clothto the ceiling.
Display Your Finds
Incorporate mementos from vacations or special occasions into your decor.
Credit: John Bessler
Dig out these tiny treasures to create a meaningful display thatintegrates your personality and life experiencesinto your home.
Beautify Office Supplies
Turn office supplies into accessories to use as a display.
This trick also works with desktop items like pencil holders.
Instead of stowing away these masterpieces, put them on display in pretty frames.
Change up the gallery occasionally with fresh artwork or rotate a few favorites.
Hang a Plate Display
Turn an assortment of colorfulplates into a fun display.
Credit: Reed Davis
Swap Out a Throw Blanket
Throw blankets can add style and a softer touch to any furnishing.
Bring a blanket out of storage to add an extra layer of color to a living room or bedroom.
Accessorize Shelves
It’s easy and fun torefresh your shelf displaywith objects from around the house.
Credit: James R Salomon
Look for objects with commonalities, such as white finishes, to create a more unified display.
And resist the urge to add “just one more” item.
Add a Table Runner
Dress up a tiny space with simple decor you already own.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Use a pretty patternedfabric scrap, a retired window treatment panel, or an oversized scarf.
Color Your Mantel
Conquer ablank mantelwith color.
Choosing one common color,such as yellow, gives unrelated objects a unifying theme.
Credit: David A Land
Shop your house for items in the same color family.
Pitchers, plates, magazines, and pottery come together to make this interesting grouping.
Use Fruit as Accents
Don’t overlook your refrigerator or fruit bins for fun, recyclable accessories.
Credit: Richard Leo Johnson
Put colorful fruit on display in glass jars or footed glass bowls.
Choose the season’s long-lasting fruits for a colorful, affordable, and delicious display.
Oranges, lemons, and limes add a refreshing touch tospring or summer decorating.
Credit: John Bessler
Apples are a natural pick for fall or winter.
Turn Cookware into Art
Fill empty kitchen walls with cooking essentials that double as decor.
Pots, pans, baking supplies, and utensils make great wall art when hung in multiples.
Credit: James Carriere
Bonus: These supplies are easy to find when cooking.
Decorate with Nature
Using nature is perhaps the best way to decorate with what you have.
Colorful leaves become artful arrangements when placed inside vases.
Credit: Reed Davis
Hanging the panel from the ceiling accentuates the architecture of the room.
If you have an existingcanopy bed frame, simply drape a sheet or fabric over the top.
Dress up Chairs
Dress up neutralupholstered chairsby adding a colorful scarf or fabric runner.
Credit: Heather Anne Thomas
This is an easy way to add color to a room.
These simple accents can bechanged with the seasons.
Accessorize Curtains
Tie-backs add style toshower curtainsand window treatments.
Credit: Edmund Barr
Tame unruly decor with scarves, belts, or ribbons.
Choose an item in a contrasting hue to add color and interest to your curtains.
Show off decorative accents along with bathroom essentials, such as soaps and lotions.
Credit: Heather Anne Thomas
Customize Window Treatments
Customize plain whitewindow treatments with text.
You could also add a custom design with adhesive vinyl if you have a die-cutting machine.
Cut to size and tuck the ends under the mattress to help it stay in place.
Credit: Jay Wilde
Use Light to Transform a Space
Evena simple trick of lightcan change the vibe of a room.
Best Smart Lights for 2024.
Credit: Michael Partenio
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Credit: Michael Partenio
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