Disclosure: This post is sponsored by TD Canada Trust and includes an affiliate link. All opinions are 100% mine.
Don’t ever judge a book by it’s cover. So many times in my life, people have judged me. Online and in person. I’ve been called snobby, pretentious, and RICH! Ha, those all make me laugh, especially the rich one. You see, I have a very hard look about me. I think it’s the super high cheek bones and the dark hair and maybe even my tall height. But when you get to know me, you’ll quickly realize that all of those preconceived judgments are completely false.
What does any of that have to do with decorating? I’ll tell you. My home may look perfect and “expensive” in photos, but what you don’t see behind the cover of this post, is all the ways I have learned how to save money while making our home look like a million bucks. (and it doesn’t always look like this)
No matter if you live in a small space, a mansion, or a historic house you can make your home look amazing for very little money.
Here are some tips on how to decorate while spending less…
- stop buying everything new
- don’t spend money if you don’t have it
- BE RESOURCEFUL ! Look at items in more than one way
- Shop Yard Sales, Thrift Stores and Friend’s houses (So many of my friends just want to get rid of stuff and they give it to me. However ,I only take what I know I’ll use, like my 11 foot Christmas Tree, (thanks neighbor)
- Shop your grocery store, your own yard and nurseries (fresh fruit, vegetables, nuts and flowers create high impact with little to no cost)
Let’s take a look at this table and break it down
- 4 black chairs were gifted to me by my Mom’s friend
- 2 cream chairs purchased at Home Goods $99.00 a piece
- Table cloth $10.00 (actually a painting drop cloth)
- Chargers and Napkins hand me downs from Mother in Law
- Pumpkins (left over from Halloween decorating)
- Gold Table Cloth (purchased on sale for $3.00)
- Napkin rings (faux plant cut up an wrapped around napkin)
- flowers sent to me by my husband (however you can shop the flower section at you grocery and purchase beautiful bouquets fro under $12.00)
Now what happens when we all become millionaires? Do we spend more? Absolutely not! We may be able to thrift shop a little more, but we must continue to be resourceful. I’ve always been told that the wealthiest people are the ones who pinch those pennies. What do you think?
Some of the most beautiful tablescapes and decor come from using antiques, hand me downs and things from nature. I truly believe that being more resourceful makes for more creative and inspiring holiday decor.
This is our main kitchen table. We eat on it every day several times a day. I love the fact that because I didn’t spend a million bucks,I don’t have to worry about things getting dirty. If I spent tons of money on this table I think I would be paranoid all the time.
Before you start decorating for the holidays,take a look around your home, the grocery and thrift stores. Find items that inspire you. Make something beautiful, it will make you smile everyday.
Disclosure: This post is sponsored by TD Canada Trust and includes an affiliate link. All opinions are 100% mine.
Love it! I’ve worked hard this fall to decorate using mostly what we already had. I think you are more creative when you “have” to work within a budget! Nicely done
I totally agree. I can’t wait to show my playroom make-over. I literally had almost no money and everything just came together.
Looks awesome and homey too. Sometimes I see those very expensive homes and just think money..no taste. My husband always says I shop in the “Home Decorators Outlet Closet” (in our hall) where I keep a lot of stuff that I rotate in and out. I have always been a flea market girl from the time we were in our 20’s and stupidly bought a fixer-upper 5 bedroom Victorian with no money left over to fix it up. But we made it work.
Oh boy, that sound’s insane. But it’s so good that you made it work. I was looking at fancy real estate on line and some of the houses are beautiful but the decor, oh boy.