9 (totally doable) ideas for decorating at no cost when you want to renovate/redecorate a space but don’t want to spend money.
One of the easiest ways to decorate your home without spending money is to look around. Look in those closets, under the bed, in that guest room that is rarely used, etc. But there are plenty of other decorating ideas that won’t cost you a thing and that you can try out, too.
Here are some ways you can make your space look brand new without spending a dime.
How to decorate without spending money
To make things easier, I’ve divided each free decor idea into sections. Pick the ones you like and skip the ones you don’t.
First things first…my favorite subject: art!
1. Change the illustrations.
Changing artwork ALWAYS makes a huge difference and makes a room feel different and refreshed.
This could mean a lot of things, but the first easy idea that comes to mind is to simply swap out the artwork in one room for another. It’s already framed and ready to hang, so why not try something new in one or two rooms to see how it turns out?
Another free art idea is to remove the frame you already have and place it on something else. This can be something you already have, like a print you’ve been meaning to frame, a special keepsake (like your grandma’s favorite scarf), or even a free printable you downloaded online.
And if you’re willing to spend a few bucks, there are some really great printable options for under $10. BUT you have to be willing to shop around because there are A LOT of downloadable art options available. Etsy is a great place to start. But this is a post about free ideas, so let’s move on…
Another idea for exchanging free artwork would be DIY art.
You know I love DIY projects and I have lots of ideas on how you can make art with items you already have at home. I’m sure there’s at least one on the list that you already have all the materials for.
In that case, you’re about to get some new art for your home, without touching your wallet.
Here is a list of DIY art ideas I have shared over the years…
2. Bring plants from outside.
It’s amazing what a few well-placed plants can do to liven up a room.
If you have a couple of potted plants that you can borrow from outside and bring inside (assuming they’ll still get the sunlight they need) your room will thank you.
3. Swap rugs by borrowing them from other rooms in the house.
This one is easy and self-explanatory. I do it ALL THE TIME!
Carpets can be expensive and sometimes instead of spending money on a new one, all you need is a cool new carpet. A different carpet can completely transform a space. It is very similar to a piece of art as it sets the overall mood of the room in many ways.
I have a bunch of rugs in storage that I don’t dare get rid of, even though I don’t have a place for them right now. When I’m ready, I can swap them out for new ones.
For example, we are currently renovating our kitchen and changing the layout, which means I will have to replace one of my smaller rugs that I have had in the kitchen for years with something much larger and longer.
Normally, that would mean I have to look for a new one and spend more money to find *just* the right one. But in this case, I don’t have to buy anything because I already have two or three rugs stored away that would fit perfectly. I’m so glad I kept them. Now I have some options that will completely change the look and feel of our kitchen without spending any money.
And if you’re looking for some ways to create or redo rugs yourself, here are some of my favorites…
- My most popular DIY: tutorial on how to make a rug.
- Create a tassel rug with some special embellishments (found at any craft store) to liven up an old or inexpensive rug you already have.
- Beautify an existing rug and turn it into an embroidered rug that leaves a mark.
- Make a DIY patchwork rug with an unexpected material.
4. Change the layout of the room / rearrange the furniture.
It’s always the right time to reorganize because it costs nothing and if you hate it, you can put it back where it was.
You’d be surprised how refreshed and different a space can feel simply by rearranging what’s already there.
You’ll get extra points if you bring furniture from other rooms in the house. But if you don’t have any pieces to move from one room to another, you can at least move the furniture you have to a new layout.
Move the sofa from facing the fireplace to being to the side of it. Change the location of the chairs and sofa, etc.
5. Remove blankets and other textiles from the closet.
Instead of having extra blankets and other textiles stored away in a closet, bring them out to liven up a room. Something similar to what I did in the master bedroom pictured above.
I simply took a giant piece of linen I had stashed away among my craft supplies and a blanket from when Hayes was a baby and threw it over the bed. This is a very simple and subtle change, but there are also more drastic ways to use textiles. For example, draping a large textile over the back of a sofa or a large-scale piece of art made from a picnic blanket.
6. Restore and upholster furniture.
Well, this one could It may end up costing you some money, but if you already have a sander and some paint or sealant, you won’t have any problems. Refinishing and painting furniture is a very cost-effective way to transform what you already have. I’ve shared a lot of furniture details over the years, like this mid-century modern entryway table makeover and my DIY end table.
Like refinishing, upholstering chairs and sofas can also be a great option.
Actually, reupholstering chairs is pretty easy and you can use almost any fabric. I once covered my old chairs with cloth napkins and it turned out pretty nice, in my opinion.
7. Organize a swap with local friends or family.
Do you have some items you no longer want or need? Organize a virtual decor swap (or even small furniture swap) with friends and family who live nearby. Or do something in person with your neighborhood, friends, or family.
If you want to try something virtually, you can do a trade “auction” on Zoom or FaceTime, where everyone shares what they’d like to get rid of and finds people to trade with.
Although it’s probably easier to do it in person, because you can instantly exchange the items you don’t want for something new. All for free!
8. Loot your own paint supply.
Almost everyone I know has a stash of paint sitting in the garage or in a special closet or cabinet. Use leftovers from past projects to breathe new life into old furniture or even something bigger (like my inexpensive fireplace makeover).
I also frequently see free paint available on places like Facebook Marketplace, at local Garage Sales, and in Buy Nothing groups. Speaking of which…
9. Join Buy Nothing
Join your local Buy Nothing group and look for decor items that people want to get rid of (for free).
This is another great way to get some new, no-cost items to refresh a space without having to spend any money. And since it works both ways, it’s also a great opportunity to say goodbye to items you no longer want or need that someone else can use. Everyone wins!
That’s it for decorating your home on a (zero dollar) budget. Let me know if I forgot anything. I’d love to continue this list with more ideas.
