10 Ways to Redecorate on a Budget

Sheryl Crow was right, a change would do you good, and she wasn't even talking about interior decorating. (I know, that was really cheesy, but I just had to say it.) But I am talking about redecorating, because I know what it's like to desperately want to make some kind of change to your living environment and be on a teeny tiny budget. Follow these ten tips on how to make small changes for less and you'll be able to enjoy a little change of your own. (I know, the cheesy lines are out of control, but the tips really help!)

1.) Think sconces. Sconces are cheap, but they add a lot of drama. They're not much work at all, and they can go around existing features such as mirrors or doorways. They also provide extra light if you can get the type that hold candles or extra lighting, and their effect can drastically change the mood of a room in the evening.

2.) Speaking of mirrors, consider using them in places where there's not much light. Use one to cover a fireplace that's not getting used. Attach one to a closet door. Put one under the hood of your stove or place picture frames around them and hang them up along the wall along with family photos creating a one-of-a-kind mosaic. They'll bounce a lot more light around the room and people will admire your creative usage of an every day, and cheap decorating staple.

3.) Buy or sew slip covers! This is far cheaper than buying new furniture, but is essentially the same thing! This is especially great for dining room chairs and couches, but works for every piece of furniture.

4.) Invest in shelves, of any kind. Hang them on the wall, build or buy a small bookcase, use them to display photos or burn candles, and enjoy the more sophisticated look they can bring to a room while also doubling as a very practically useful item. Suddenly your books are like decorations and your photos have a place to sit.

5.) Hang some photos. It's so easy now to print your own photos at a high quality. Get some cheap frames or even some vintage frames at an antique store and display vacation photos, landscapes, or even artsy self-portraits. You'd be surprised at what a difference a little wall art can make, and by using your own photos, you can rest assured that nobody else in the world has the same thing.

6.) Find some great lamps. Lamps can be found at low prices at discount stores, Goodwill, hardware stores, and more. You can find a huge selection of lampshades to match every style of decorating. A lamp can add a great little touch to a room and, in case you haven't noticed a theme here, the more light in your home the better.

7.) Change your curtains. Much like the other items on this list, curtains are remarkably easy to find at low prices all over the place and in a plethora of styles. (Yes, a plethora.) They are also easy to sew, even for people like me who are terrible at sewing! One place where curtains can make a big difference is on sliding glass doors. Especially if that means you can put away those eye-sores, the vertical blinds!

8.) Invest in a chest! That is to say, a wooden box or a wicker storage chest. This is another dual purpose decorative item. It gives any room a kind of adventure-themed extra, and it offers you more storage space. Two places where a chest or storage bench work great are at the front door for hats, scarves, and gloves or in the bedroom for blankets and sheets. Also, if you get a sturdy enough chest with a flat top, you've got easy access to extra seating in a pinch.

9.) Area rugs are slightly more expensive, but are also great for changing the entire look and even feel of a room. The smaller types are great for sprucing up kitchens and bathrooms, but if you can afford a larger one, you'll manage to change the entire look of your living room just by changing up the flooring. Think of how much easier to clean this one will be and how much money you are saving on recarpeting.

10.) Lastly, but probably the most impactful, rearrange the furniture. This may seem like a no-brainer, but rearranging the furniture gives you what feels like an entirely new place. Every year, my husband and I even switch our office with our bedroom just for a change. You can find more useful ways of using your space, make a room cozier or roomier, or even just change it up when you're bored. This one doesn't even cost you a dime and gives you a chance to deep clean under the furniture, which can be strangely satisfying.