How Do I Decorate a New Home on a Budget?

Paint the walls a vibrant color. Don't shell out loads of cash for the most expensive premium paint and don't pay someone else to do it for you. Painting may be a tedious, not very fun activity, but there's no need to spend extra to have someone do what you can do yourself. If you feel creative, use painter's tape to create a pattern, such as stripes, on the wall.

Make your current furniture work for you. Odds are, you aren't moving into your new home without a couch or kitchen table from your old place. You may want to scrap the old furniture to make way for a new, improved home, but the most budget-friendly thing to do is work with what you've got. Try recovering a beat up couch, or giving an old table a new coat of paint or stain. If all else fails, throw pillows or a tablecloth are great ways to hide unsightly marks.

Trade in an old lampshade for a newer one in a color that coordinates with the new paint color on the wall or the pillows on your sofa.

Place a few inexpensive throw rugs over worn carpet areas or nicks in the hardwood floor if you don't have the budget to replace the carpets just yet. Even if you have nothing to hide, a throw rug is a great way to add a bit of color and comfort to a room.

Invest in a few simple accessories, such as tea lights or pillar candles, and a few picture frames and simple knickknacks such as a small vase. Discount stores, thrift shops and flea markets are all great places to find inexpensive decorative items. Display the items on a side table or coffee table, or dress up an unused part of your kitchen counter.

Make new curtains to hang in each window to tie the room together. Even if you have very little sewing experience, making your own curtains from quality fabric is a simple project.