Budget Decorating Checklist

Paint a piece of furniture that needs freshening up. A new color can make a dramatic difference. Head to a home store or local paint shop and ask where they keep cans of paints that customers didn’t end up taking, or ones that have been returned due to incorrect color choices. You can walk away with an entire gallon for a quarter of the price.

Related: Easy Paint Makeovers

Scout unexpected places for furniture deals. If a hotel, restaurant, or even a Laundromat is going out of business, ask if they have anything they'd like to get rid of. Think light fixtures, tables, chairs, and other unique finds.

Stock up on basic tools. If you have tools on hand, you can take on easy decorating projects yourself. Buy a staple gun, staples, hammer, nails in at least three sizes, tape measure, leveling device, a power drill (worth saving up for), screwdriver (flat head and Phillips), sandpaper, paint brushes, rollers, paint stick (those are usually free at the paint store), and a jar of Mod Podge.

Related: Fix It Yourself and Save

Add new fixtures and update hardware. If you can install fixtures yourself—a new pendant light for the dining room, a new faucet in the kitchen, lighting over the sink—you can easily make a positive change on the cheap. Swap out hardware on furniture and cabinetry.