I decorated my home on a $500 budget — here's the best advice I can give you by Ally Spier on May 2, 2018, 10:03 AM Advertisement
 - Decorating your home may seem like an impossible task if you're trying to get by with a small budget.
- Your decorating dreams are attainable even if a significant chunk of cash isn't — as long as you're willing to put in the work.
- Author Ally Spier redecorated her current apartment for less than $500 by painting it herself, decorating her walls with art, and making use of used and functional objects. Here's how.
Unless you've been saving up or have been selected to participate in a home renovation TV show, redecorating your home without shelling out a ton of cash probably seems impossible. I assure you, though, your decorating dreams are attainable even if a significant chunk of cash isn't. I've lived in many apartments throughout my years in New York and have personally outfitted them all on either a student's or a writer's budget. For example, I only spent about $500 to outfit my current digs. On a small budget, prepare to assume all necessary roles. Here's how to make it work: SEE ALSO: 25 pieces of under-$100 home decor and furniture that you won't believe are from Overstock.com 1. Establish a color palette and do the painting yourself  A reliable approach to redecorating begins with establishing a color palette — and a great way to make a statement with minimal spending is through paint. A quality gallon of your color of choice should run you somewhere between $30 and $60. Depending on room size and the condition of your walls before you start your project, this may be all you need, but even if you need to tack on primer and a second gallon, you shouldn’t have to spend more than $150 on supplies to dramatically change the look and feel of your space. Instead of hiring painters, tackle the project on your own. You could also recruit a willing friend or family member to help speed up the task.
2. Decorate your walls  I’ve painted a handful of my past apartments’ walls, but my current space was in pretty good shape when I moved in. As a result, I opted to use its white walls as a backdrop for displays of art and decorative objects, but any color background can work if done thoughtfully. Some great resources for art on a budget include sites like Etsy, Society6, Minted, 20x200, and Artfinder. You can also check out local craft fairs where artists have just begun marketing themselves. Easy-to-come-by things like abstract wrapping paper, wallpaper samples, and maps can be framed, too. I’ve made my own pieces in some cases, but if that seems too daunting to you, try reaching out to your more artistically-inclined friends and consider commissioning them to make something one-of-a-kind.
3. Make use of functional objects  The display of functional objects can also qualify as decor when both your budget and space are limited. A bike is no longer an eyesore when it’s hung on a well-designed, wall-mounted rack, and stacked books can be a makeshift nightstand. Accessories like hats, jewelry, and bags can be arranged and hung on a wall, too — perhaps with the bonus effect of making getting dressed in the morning easier. Plants are another great way to add significant visual interest without having to shell out. Case in point: I bought a potted plant last summer for $20 that’s tripled in size since I purchased it, and I can now take cuttings of it to put in other spots around my apartment. It’s like one plant for the price of, well, however many I can propagate. This budget-friendly approach to decorating with greenery means cleaner air, too.
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