Decorating Tricks On A Budget
Tis the season where Christmas decor comes out and is put on display. Whether you go all out and it fills your home or it's contained to your Christmas tree; there is something about those twinkling lights that brings warmth to the home. There is always a little more sparkle in the Christmas decor and in my opinion it just adds to the joy and excitement of the season.
But when January rolls around and the decor has to be packed up (sad day😭), I always feel like my home is left feeling bare. It's usually then that I get inspired to switch things up, add a few touches, finally start one of my many DIY projects (or let's be real, just dream about them happening in this season of life😁).
I'm sure the weight of Christmas spending is still fresh in your mind so the thought of spending money on new decor is laughable at the least. Or maybe you live in my reality where no matter the time of year there is little to no decor budget on any given month. Maybe it's neither one of those but you just like to save money. Whichever it is for you, I encourage you to read this post and see if you can't come away with a few new ideas to get a fresh or updated look for less, by implementing one of the following tips.
Before we get started I feel like I should preference this post with the following….Remember just because something is on sale, on clearance, marked down several times, or in the “dollar” section; does not necessarily make it a good deal and certainly does not automatically make it a must have for you. There I said it for you! Now tell yourself this every time you enter a store and you will set yourself up for success (which may in fact mean walking out of the store with nothing. What? Shocker!😁).
So why this post right now in the midst of the crazy of December? Well because some of my tips relate to the season we're in. And because I hope this reminds you to slow down a bit in this busy season, sit by the fire (or heater😁), and take in all your surroundings and be reminded and thankful for what you already have within. So take a few tips and then come back around to this post again in the new year to implement some changes!
Getting Creative with What You Have:
I have said this on past posts and I will say it again that a fresh new look can be found within your own home. Rearrange a room, switch decor pieces from one room to the next, use a piece of furniture or decor item in a different way than it's original intention. Or finally use one of your random clearance purchases or finds that has been sitting in that closet or garage. You may be surprised how different you can make a space look/feel simply by shopping from things in your own home.
Think Outside the Box:
“Don't make thinking outside the box stressful or you will stay in the box. Instead, think of it as designing your own unique style.”
1. Christmas Decor-
Next time you go to Target or Home Goods or Michael's take a longer look at the Christmas decor. I believe you will find, as I have on many occasions, several things that can be used for decor beyond Christmas. Crates, containers, greenery, chalkboards, cake plates are just a few things. However, this is where you have to act fast and hopefully score some items before they are gone. They put this stuff on sale/clearance before Christmas is even here. But if you want to hit the 60-70% off you have to go 1-2 days after Christmas (I think they let people shop when the store is closed because this stuff is gone fast😁).
2. Dollar Section-
Okay, so most of us have realized that the “dollar” sections in stores now days really mean $1-$10, but there can even be some decor finds in those for a steal. I have especially been impressed with Target's dollar section when it comes to this. Check out their Christmas items right now to find some year round decor. Again sometimes you have to think outside the box, but you can find some good accent pieces.
Treasure/Thrift Stores:
There is no doubt that treasure stores (what my kids and I call thrift stores) can be overwhelming, to say the least. But there is also no doubt that they can hold some great finds for decorating your home for a lot less. Here are a few tips to make your treasure store experience less stressful…
The best time of year to go to a treasure store is mid to late January and February. When people have dropped off unwanted Christmas gifts or have moved out old things to replace with their new things, or have made their new year's resolution to clean out their attics and garages😁 (April is another good month to catch the spring cleaning wave).
I always have a list written down/on my phone of things I am looking for so I can look for specific things when at the treasure store. But of course it's always hit or miss so I usually look over most aisles quickly to see if any unique treasure pops out. If I find something I usually try to think about where I will actually use it/if it will fit or work in my home. If I can't think of a place or I realize it won't fit, I don't get it. There have been many times where I have left stores with nothing because I have simply not found any treasures. But there have also been many times where I have found crazy good treasures that have made up for those times of leaving empty handed.
If you can go on a weekday you will avoid the weekend crowds plus avoid your anxiety going through the roof😁.
Make sure you know your prices. Because as I said before just because it's a treasure store does not mean it's the best price around.
Clearance Spots in Stores:
Most stores have a clearance section. Some obvious and some are hidden. So you might have to search them out in some places. Not all clearance is a good deal and some clearance will be marked down again so you can wait for it (you always take a risk of missing an item, but I also have scored great deals this way).
It's safe to say just like I know where every store’s bathroom is located 😁, I also know where every store's clearance section is.
But some of my favorite clearance spots are in Target and Michaels.
Target-
End caps, end caps, end caps!! Check the end caps on the inside aisles to find some good clearance. Sometimes there will be clearance items on the actual aisles too but the end caps are more consistent.
Michaels-
This may seem odd but this place is actually my go to for good decor items. They are always having 40-50% off sales and I wait until I get a 25% off entire purchase (including sale items) coupon and then it's a good deal.
In the Michaels by me, they have a clearance section at the back of their store by the swinging stock room doors. It's small but I have found some great finds there.
Well there is a round up of a few tricks to decorate your home when money is tight. Get creative and think outside the box friends. I will end with one of my favorite decorating quotes that I have shared before. It inspires me to take a little and make a lot, to use the old to make the new.
“If you wait until you have enough money to decorate and make your home your own it will never happen. If you wait until you can afford to buy everything new you are missing the point. It is the old, the new, the made, the hand-me-down, the collected, the worn (but loved), things in your home that make it your own.” -stacey risenmay
-Beth
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