No matter your decorating budget, the goal is the same: to add to your home’s beauty and create an aesthetically pleasing and inviting space. Before you start, take care to avoid these 10 mistakes that can leave your living quarters looking cheap and less-than-stunning. But even if you can’t afford to attend a luxe art show, sites such as Etsy make it possible to afford original and unique art on almost any budget. And if you have a streak of DIY in you, you can easily and frugally create your own original artwork for your home. Your entryway should look polished and sophisticated because it’s the first thing people see when they come into your home. Invest in a few pieces of functional furniture and unique artwork to keep the space beautiful and useable. One of the fastest ways to cheapen any space is to have too much of a good thing. Indulge in subtle expressions of style for maximum effect. For example, if you want to demonstrate your love for the seashore, you can scatter a few nautical found objects throughout your home—but an overabundance might make it look like a cheap seaside motel. When picking a rug, make sure it’s large enough to fit right under your furniture so it is not simply floating in the room. A rug that is too large will make your space feel too full while a too-small rug looks haphazard and, well, cheap. Find a place for your stuff so your house doesn’t look unkempt and cheap. There are endless ways to hack your clutter and get rid of it for good. Aim for three or more sources of light between overhead, table, and windows. Ditch the “live, laugh, love” print and go for something that really speaks to who you are and makes a statement. A gallery wall is an easy (and cheap) way to fill a blank wall. Just be sure to limit the number of mass-produced prints to keep the look fresh and original. Even if you’re a renter you can easily swap out old lighting fixtures with new ones or try a DIY cover to camouflage it. This easy fix can turn an outdated bedroom or cringeworthy entryway into an aesthetically pleasing space. Mixing and matching styles, fabrics, and woods is a creative way to decorate on a budget and will make your home look fabulous. Pick just one or two items per store so your home doesn’t wind up looking like a catalog photo shoot.
