"Having a beautiful home may seem like only a dream. But with some imagination and ingenuity, the look of an interior designer–decorated home is within reach. Home Design on a Budget brings you tips, tricks and inspiration to create a home that looks like it jumped off the pages of a magazine, and without breaking the bank. From creating a budget and a vision board to transforming your spaces with small and large projects, the modern kitchen or romantic dining room you’ve been thinking about can come to life. Whether you live in an apartment in a busy city or a split-level in a rural suburb, your home can bring you peace and happiness. Kick off your shoes after a long day of work and rejoice in the interior landscape you’ve created."
home design on a budget
Introduction
BUDGET IS NOT A FOUR-LETTER WORD
Cut the Clutter • The prettiest spaces are clutter-free. Fancy hotel lobbies, beautiful restaurants, expensive boutiques and well-appointed rooms in home decor magazines all conjure up images of luxury and style. What do they have in common? Curated design that showcases exactly what is wanted and needed—and nothing more. They are clutter-free zones.
Clean Slate • It’s been said that the secret to a clean house is to never let anyone inside. The second best method, however, is to maintain it on a regular basis and avoid building up to a dirty, dusty, overwhelming tsunami of laundry and chores.
Mood • A picture—or a fabric swatch, paint chip, stone sample or perfect piece of sea glass, as the case may be—is worth a thousand words. So goes the thinking behind interior design–minded mood boards.
Designer Help on a Budget • Think you can’t afford to hire a professional interior designer? Think again. Once the purview of the rich, the richer and the richest, online design services have brought the price tag down, so clients can choose a plan that suits their needs and budget. The concept, which has been growing in popularity for years, delivers professional design at a fraction of the cost.
Worth the Splurge! • When designing on a budget, every purchase counts. Figuring out where to splurge and why will come in handy when you find yourself wrestling with tough decisions.
SHOPPING: DOLLARS & SENSE • Nowadays, it’s not just beauty but quality and sustainability that are top of mind. The Environmental Protection Agency reports that Americans toss out 12 million tons of furniture each year—literally making mountains out of cast-off home furnishings. Cheap and chic, aka “fast furniture,” doesn’t age well.
CURB APPEAL • In a perfect world, coming home feels like a hug. Home is the place where you can exhale and take a well-deserved time-out. It is a haven, a reflection of personal style and an ongoing work in progress. The embrace of this refuge begins before you even cross the threshold.
Secret Weapon Number One
Entry Level • Whether you come home to an actual entryway foyer (lucky you!) or the front door opens directly into a living space, crossing the threshold can provide a smart, stylish experience no matter what the square footage.
Living Spaces • The living room is the backdrop for meaningful family memories, moments and conversations—from holiday celebrations to entertaining friends to watching the big game on TV.
Booking It!
Bloom & Grow • Houseplants have been the hottest thing in home decor since pre-pandemic days, and their popularity shows no signs of slowing. No matter where you rank on the plant-parent passion scale, the fact that an interior with leaves, vines or sculptural, spiky surfaces feels homey and vibrant cannot be disputed.
Heart of the Home: Kitchen Upgrades • Thanks to social media and a plethora of binge-worthy cooking shows, we have access to more kitchen imagery and inspiration than ever...
