Apartment Decorating How To: 10 Ways to Spend $50 or Less

If you want your apartment to look spectacular, but your budget is tighter than a pair of Spandex jeans, don’t despair. There are plenty of interior design ideas that can be pulled off without spending much more than $50 an item. Plus, if you use your imagination, shop for clearance items and even hit thrift stores and online auction sites, you can stretch that budget even further.

No matter your decorating scheme, these items that don’t have to break the bank can sometimes fit in. Some of the best and most affordable ideas for decorating on a budget include:

Reasonably Priced Wall Decor Ideas

1. Artwork – Think you can’t afford great pieces of art? Think again! If you know where to shop, you can get original pieces that look great and fit your style for $50 or less. Look online, go to art schools and even visit thrift stores for excellent finds. Checkout Allposters.com to get great deals on posters and art prints. They usually have a weekly special of 20% to 25% off your total order or free shipping. They also have a sale section with a variety of prints and posters.

2. Paint – Sometimes all that is necessary when decorating on a budget is to change a room’s color or design to really make it stand out. Give a room a fresh coat of paint and even consider some basic stenciling to make it stand out. A gallon of paint, some stencils and brushes won’t cost you much.

3. Wallpaper – For an extra special touch, try adding wallpaper borders to some rooms. This is an inexpensive way to gain a whole new look.

Thrifty Table Top Touches

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4. Potted plants – Believe it or not, very inexpensive plants can really jazz up an apartment. If you find the right pots, they can fit in to just about any design. Or, if you don’t want to spend a lot on pots, those orange terracotta pots are only a few bucks, so you can spend more money on more colorful exotic looking plants. Shop around at thrift stores, garage sales and bargain basements for the right pots and just hit discount nurseries for the plants. Check out iVillage’s Top 10 Indoor plant list for ideas.

5. Pottery – Unique pottery pieces can look fantastic without costing a fortune. Look in the same places you would for framed artwork to find great deals on decorator pieces. Or, if you’re looking to learn a new craft or skill, check out pottery or art classes and create your own art while taking up a new pastime.

6. Dishes and cutlery – These items are generally utilitarian, but you can make them fit into a decorating scheme. If you want your dining table to pop, shop thrift and antique stores for excellent buys.

7. Extra touches – Candles, knick knacks, decorative blankets and more can all cost very little and really lend a decorator’s touch to a room. Have a little fun on this end and you’ll find even the smallest pieces can go a very long way.

Frugal Furniture and Linen Ideas

8. Window treatments – Drapes and curtains can cost a fortune when you buy them new, but who says you have to? Visit thrift stores, look for close out sales and even hit garage sales for great buys under $50. They are out there! And, if you have a sewing machine covered in dust just sitting in the back of the closet, pull that baby out and make your own drapes or sheers with fabric from a large discount warehouse. And, if sewing isn’t your thing, you can also buy iron on tape to adhere the frayed edges rather than hemming them with needle and thread.

9. Linens – You probably won’t want to buy these used, but you can buy them on a budget. Clearance items are perfect for bedding, towels and more. Check online or at your favorite discount store for bargain linens.

10. Furniture – If you are decorating on a budget, furniture can be a real challenge. Look for unfinished pieces or those that need refinishing to save a bundle. You can find tables, chairs, shelves and more for $50 or less if you shop around and put in a little elbow grease to fix imperfections.

When moving to an apartment, decorating on a budget is not an impossible task. With a little imagination and determination, a room can look spectacular with very little monetary investment.