If you are renting or renovating on a budget!

How do you make a house feel like a home while you are renting, or saving up for a renovation? This is a question that I get asked a lot! Whether you have goals to make a move in the future, or you have goals to renovate in the future but need to save up first, it is important to have an overall design goal in mind from the very start! An overall design plan ensures that there is a flow throughout your home.

Keeping a realistic budget in mind to love your home in the mean time is key! Mixing more costly, quality pieces with pieces that are budget friendly is one of my favorite ways to help clients achieve their overall design goals ! I like to keep my decor very budget friendly, and purchase larger splurge
items that can translate from home to home if you are moving, and if you are planning a renovation and plan on changing the floor plan of your home!

My favorite splurge items to spend on (if budget allows) are sofas! A good quality sofa will last you a long time, so spending the money up front for quality will be worth it in your overall budget. I always recommend a smaller sofa vs a sectional for those who are moving or plan on renovating because they are easier to move around in various spaces, and you can add accent chairs for more seating if the space allows.

Defining a style when you have a future move or renovation in mind can be difficult for many people! While decorating your space you want to make sure you take into account the architecture of the home and space you are designing in. I like to design with clean lines because they work well in any home! You can create a transitional space with clean lined furniture that will fit in any style home from an old Victorian to a farmhouse! This is really helpful for those who rent!

The important thing while you are designing your home for the time being is to spend your money wisely and make sure your splurge pieces make sense for the long haul; You will save money if you think in the long term. Smaller, inexpensive decorative pieces can really jazz a place up, and they are easy to incorporate or eliminate in a new space!

One of my favorite things to change up are throw pillows! This is great for renting so that you can incorporate wall color so that it feels intentional to your design, or if you do not like the wall color, you can use different colors in your throws to mute it down and distract from the wall color. Purchasing good pillow inserts (I prefer the look and feel of a down alternative!) and then purchasing the pillow covers separate can help you save in the long run because pillow covers are more inexpensive than ones that have filling in them already.

Peel and stick paper is great and temporary way to change the look of walls and even counter tops! This options is perfect for rentals and the in betweens of pending renovations. The install is easy, and the removal is even easier and damage free. Covering up a hideous wall color, adding pattern, or giving laminate counters a facelift is all achievable for a low cost.

Another of my favorite ways to transform a space is with DIY or inexpensive art. Art brings unexpected style into your space and it is an inexpensive way to add your own flare to the “now” state of your home or rental. My favorite thing to do is to find frames I love, and get digital art prints for them! Many online companies offer instant digital downloads at amazing prices and fantastic quality. Some of my favorite shops are BlueJay Vintage Art Shop, Heirloom Print Shop, and Apartment 37.

Never purchase anything that you don’t love!! Just because something is affordable does not mean that it belongs in your home, this could throw off your overall design goal and waste your money in the long term. Bring intentional pieces into your space, and make sure that it fits with the style that suits you best.

I hope this blog edition was helpful to all of my renters, and those waiting to renovate on a budget! Stay tuned for more helpful and practical tips that are valuable for any homeowner or renter in various stages of their lives.

xx amy