Tips for How to Decorate With What You Have for an Easy Update

Before making any new purchases, discover how to refresh your space using items you already have. It’s a great way to save both time and money while giving your home a fresh new appearance.

You don’t need to buy all new furniture and accessories to redecorate your home. By learning how to style what you already own, you can completely transform your space. For a quick, budget-friendly update, try refreshing your current furnishings and incorporating everyday items into your decor with these simple tips.

Create a Focal Point

When choosing how to decorate with what you already have, keep in mind that the focal point of a room draws the eye and helps establish order in the design. If your space doesn’t have a natural focal point like a fireplace or TV, create one. Combine a mirror or artwork with a console table, bench, or shelves to form a visual centerpiece on your far wall.

Pile on Pillows

If your living room lacks warmth, enhance its coziness with a collection of pillows. Collect throw pillows from various spots in your home and arrange them on your sofa to add both comfort and color. Opt for pillows with different patterns and complementary colors to achieve a charmingly eclectic look.

Display Items in Threes

Rearrange items on your mantel or shelves to create a more appealing arrangement. Generally, odd-number groupings are more visually engaging than even ones. Arrange frames or objects in sets of three or five for a display that catches the eye.

Add Comfort to Chairs

Wood dining chairs and benches may have a sleek appearance but can be uncomfortable. To make them cozier, use a faux sheepskin throw from your living room and drape it over the seat or backrest. This simple trick adds both comfort and a touch of textural contrast to your dining area.

Prop Up a Mirror

If drilling holes in your walls isn’t an option, a simple way to decorate with what you have is to lean framed mirrors against the wall. A large mirror can serve multiple purposes in a room. With a stylish frame, it becomes a striking piece of art. Positioned at an angle, it creates the illusion of a higher ceiling and brightens the space by reflecting light, giving the impression of an additional window.

Hang a Thoughtful Display

Greeting cards and postcards are small works of art. Create a cost-free display by clipping your birthday and holiday cards to a wire photo frame or hanging them on a string. Plus, when you’re having a rough day, you can pull a card from the display and read it for an instant mood lift.

Rearrange Furniture

Learning how to decorate with what you have can offer a new perspective and alter your view of a room. Experiment with various furniture arrangements to transform the space without replacing any items. Consider turning the living room sofa to face a different direction, pulling furniture away from the walls, or rotating chairs around the room until you find the perfect setup. If the final arrangement doesn’t work, you can always reposition the pieces.

Turn Objects into Wall Art

You don’t have to spend a fortune on art to create an eye-catching wall display. Collect items you already have, like baskets or hats, and arrange them on the wall to make a bold statement. Think of it as a creative twist on the traditional gallery wall.

Frame Family Pictures

Print out family photos and cherished memories to create a personalized wall display. Collect your frames and paint them all the same color for a cohesive look. For a polished appearance, opt for basic black frames with white mats, giving your gallery wall a unified and elegant touch.

Hang Curtains Higher

If your curtains are long enough, think about raising the curtain rod closer to the ceiling to create a more spacious feeling in the room. Before you adjust the rod, measure your curtains to ensure they will still reach the floor after repositioning. If you need a bit more length, consider using drapery clips to hang the curtains.

Repaint Furniture

Paint is a valuable asset for budget-friendly decorating and isn’t limited to just walls. It’s also perfect for revitalizing old furniture and accessories. Consider giving wooden furniture a fresh, vibrant coat of paint and updating the hardware to instantly modernize outdated pieces.