9 (Totally Doable) No-Cost Decorating Ideas When you want to update/redesign a space but don’t want to spend any money.
One of the easiest ways to decorate your home without spending any money is to shop for your home. Look in those closets, under the bed, guest room that hardly gets used, etc. But there are many other free decor ideas you can try as well.
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 decorating idea into sections. Skip what you like and skip what you don’t like.
First things first… my favorite subject: art!
1. Swap the artwork.
Changing up artwork always makes a huge difference in making a room look different and fresh.
This can mean a lot of things, but the first easy idea that comes to mind is to just swap out artwork in one room with artwork in another room. They’re already framed and ready to hang, so why not try something new in a room or two to see how it goes.
Another free artwork idea is to remove the artwork from a frame you already have for something else. It can be something you already have, like a print you’ve been wanting to frame, a special keepsake (like your grandmother’s favorite handkerchief), or even a free printable you downloaded online.
And if you’re willing to spend a few bucks, there are some great printable options for under $10. But you have to be prepared to search because there are many downloadable art options. Etsy is a great place to start. But this is a post about free ideas, so go ahead…
Another free art swap idea is DIY art.
You know I’m all about a good DIY project and I have lots of ideas on how to make art using items you already have in your home here. There’s bound to be at least one on your list that you already have all the supplies for.
In this case, you’re about to get some new artwork for your home, without grabbing your wallet.
Below is a list of art ideas I’ve shared over the years…
2. Bring in plants from outside.
It’s amazing what a few well placed plants can do to liven up a room.
If you have a number of potted plants that you can borrow from outside and bring in (assuming they will still get the sunlight they need) your room will thank you.
3. Replace carpets by borrowing them from other rooms in the house.
This one is easy and self-explanatory. I do this all the time!
Carpets can be expensive, and sometimes instead of spending money on a new carpet, all you need is to switch to a great one instead. A different rug can completely transform a space. It is very similar to a work of art, as it defines the overall look of the room in many ways.
I have a supply of rugs in storage that I can’t afford to get rid of, even if I don’t have room for those particular rugs right now. When I’m ready, I can swap them out for a whole new look.
For example, we are currently renovating our kitchen and changing its layout, which means I will need to replace one of the small rugs I’ve had in the kitchen for years with a much larger, longer one.
Usually, that means I need to find a new one and spend a little more money to find just the *right* product. But in this case, I don’t have to buy a single thing because I already have 2 or 3 rugs in stock that may fit you perfectly. So glad I commented on them. I now have a few options that will completely change the look and feel of our kitchen without spending any money at all.
And if you’re looking for some DIY ways to create or renovate rugs, here are some of my favorites…
My most popular craft ever: A tutorial on how to make a rug. Make a tassel rug with some specialty embellishments (which you can find at any crafts store) to give a little twist to an old or inexpensive rug you already own. Decorate an existing rug and turn it into an embroidered rug that makes a statement. Make your own patchwork rug with unexpected materials.
4. Change room layout/rearrange furniture.
It’s always a good time to rearrange because it costs nothing, and if you hate it, you can put it back where it was.
You’ll be surprised at how fresh and different a space can feel once you rearrange what’s already there.
Bonus 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 into the new design.
Convert your sofa from facing the fireplace to surrounding the fireplace on one side. Replace chairs, sofa, etc.
5. Bring blankets and other textiles from the closet.
Instead of putting extra blankets and other textiles in the closet, take them out to liven up the room. Similar to what I did in our primary bedroom above.
I just grabbed a large piece of linen that I had hidden in my craft supplies and a blanket when Hayes was a baby and dropped it on the bed. This is a really simple/subtle change, but there are more radical ways to use textiles too. For example, drape a large piece of fabric over the back of a sofa or an oversized piece of artwork made from a picnic blanket.
6. Refinishing and reupholstering furniture.
Well, this might cost you some money in the end. But if you already have a sander and some paint or sealant, it’s a good idea to use them. Refinishing and repainting furniture is a very cost-effective way to transform what you already have. I’ve shared many furniture pieces over the years, such as a mid-century modern entry table makeover and a DIY side table.
Just like refinishing, reupholstering chairs and sofas can be great too.
Reupholstering chairs is very easy and you can use almost any fabric. I covered my old chairs with fabric napkins once and it looked really nice.
7. Host a swap with local friends or family.
Do you have some items that you no longer want or need? Host a virtual decorating (or even small furnishings) event with friends and family who live nearby. Or do something personal with your neighborhood/friends/family.
If you want to try something virtually, you can hold a swap “auction” on Zoom or FaceTime, where everyone shares what they would like to part with and finds people to trade with.
Although in person is probably the easiest because you will immediately be able to swap out the items you don’t want for something new. All for free!
8. Raid your paint supplies.
Almost everyone I know has a stash of paint stashed in the garage or in a closet or private closet. Use leftovers from previous projects to breathe new life into old pieces of furniture or even something larger (like a $0 fireplace makeover).
I also often see free paint available in places like Facebook Marketplace and in local Garage Sales and Buy Nothing groups. Speaking of this topic…
9. Join Buy Nothing.
Join your local Buy Nothing group and search for decor items people want to get rid of (for free).
This is another great no-cost way to get some new items to update the space without having to spend any money at all. And because 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. the win!
This is to decorate your home on a limited budget ($0). Let me know if I missed anything. I would love to continue this list with additional ideas.
