By Shelby Deering
When you spot gorgeous homes in your social media feed, you might feel a bit green with envy — especially if you see areas in your own home that could use a glow-up. It’s only natural to think that an Instagram-worthy space will require you to empty your wallet, but this is not the case. In fact, there are things that you can do today that will give your spaces a lift and go easy on your budget, too.
SHOP YOUR STASH
Kelly Mlsna, owner and designer of Cake+Jelly Design, recommends looking at your current spaces and storage rooms to see what decor you already have. She says, “A mirror you have tucked away in the basement may bring new life to your entryway. A set of pillow covers that you forgot about in your linen closet can freshen up your living room.”
CREATE A GALLERY WALL
Gallery walls are continuing to have a moment, but they only look expensive to put together. Sure, you can splurge on original art prints, or you can do what I’ve done and purchase printables on Etsy. You only need to spend a few dollars on an artist- made grouping of pieces that you can print yourself and the bonus is that you won’t need to track down each individual piece to create a cohesive look.
SCORE SECONDHAND FINDS
Let’s say that you just need something different and fresh to add to your home, but your budget bottom line is top of mind. This is the perfect time to head to local thrift stores for treasures. As a frequent thrifter, I shop on weekdays when I can and get to the stores right as they open. And as Mlsna points out, know that you’ll likely need to dig a little harder, and perhaps work your DIY magic, to make an item your own. Think side tables, frames, lamps and beyond.
“Ultimately, shopping secondhand allows for you to tap your creativity and introduce pieces in your home that not everyone else is going to have,” Mlsna says.
GET PAINTING
“Everyone knows that a fresh coat of paint can change a room dramatically, but you can also think ‘outside the walls,’” Mlsna says. “Repaint your dining room ceiling in a semi or glossy finish to add some drama. Freshen up interior doors in a darker color to add depth and sophistication. Introduce contrasting trim in an office for a spark of energy.”
SWAP IN NEW HARDWARE
Brand-new cabinets might not be in your current budget. And painting them seems fraught and overwhelming. For an alternative that will still give your cabinetry a revamped look, consider installing new hardware, an approach that you can also take to switch plates, heating grates and doorknobs.
The trick is to coordinate your hardware with other metals in the same tones. For example, Mlsna says that if you have cool-tone chrome plumbing fixtures, stick with chrome or matte black hardware to complement them.
DECORATE WITH HOUSEPLANTS
I love how houseplants add life to a space. The green pops invigorate every type of room, from offices to bathrooms to bedrooms, and they never break the bank. Head to a local gardening store, like The Bruce Company in Middleton, to purchase a pothos for less than $20, or head to Facebook Marketplace for plants that need rehoming — it’s an ideal way to find large houseplants that can be a bit more expensive.
