Who doesn’t like to change up things around the home? After all, a well-decorated home showcases your personal style. David Hicks said, “The best rooms have something to say about the people who live in them.”

Of course, when it comes to showing off your style, you don’t want it to break the bank. If you’re looking to do some decorating, keep these tips in mind so you can stay within your budget.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

It seems so simple to say, “Set a budget and stick to it,” but this is where most people struggle. You need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on decorating and you need to be firm with this plan. Don’t be swayed by a beautiful piece that is outside your budget. Instead, use that piece as inspiration to find something within your budget that will work.

Rearrange What You Have

You probably have some great pieces in your home right now. Whether it’s furniture or decor, take a look around and think about how you can rearrange what you currently have. This may mean moving items to different rooms or simply rearranging things in the room you’re working on.

For larger pieces of furniture, look at some of the online planners that are available to you. These will allow you to get a sense of what your rooms can look like. Floorplanner and Roomstyler are two that you can check out, although there are lots of others.

Paint

Paint is your friend. It is relatively low in cost and can have a dramatic effect on a room. Whether you paint an accent wall to bring a pop of color to a room or paint an existing piece of furniture to bring new life to it, paint can have a huge impact. If you are renting, check with your landlord about whether or not you’re allowed to paint the walls.

DIY

There are big costs associated with having others do work for you. If you can DIY a project, then you should. While DIY’ing may seem a bit nerve-racking at first, you shouldn’t be afraid to take on projects. There are tons of websites and YouTube videos that can walk you through many of the projects you may want to do.

Watch for Sales

Of course, you watch for sales. Everyone does. But did you know that there are certain times of the year where specific things go on sale? For example, if you’re looking to buy furniture, you should be watching for sales at four key times of the year: Presidents’ Day, Memorial Day, 4th of July and Labor Day. Knowing when key sales will take place can save you big money on home decorating.

Shop Second-Hand

Second-hand shopping is great when you need to stay on a budget. While you may think of hitting up a Goodwill store or garage sale for second-hand items, there are some other places to check out. Craigslist and eBay are great for finding second-hand goods. Also, Facebook Marketplace and other online garage sale sites have a wide variety of items available.

Go From Ordinary to Extraordinary by Customizing

Perhaps in all of your bargain hunting, you find an item that works for your space, but maybe it’s not exactly what you had in mind. This is where you need to get creative. Can you take an ordinary piece and customize it to make it exactly what you want? Customization can play a key role in getting the style you want on a budget. Paint, additional fabric, or changing out drawer pulls are just a few of the ways you can make your finds come to life.

Are you ready to bring something new to your apartment? Is it time for a change in decor? Set your budget and use these tips to bring style and panache to your apartment without it costing a fortune.