Decorating Your First Home on a Budget

So now you have your own home and you’re all moved in. You’re probably sitting on a box full of mixed-matched possessions you don’t want to unpack because, where do you even start? Realizing the magnitude of this life-long commitment, you might want to impulsively start swiping those plastic cards in your wallet to furnish and decorate this brand new home. Not so fast! Turns out, ‘things’ are expensive. Here are a few ideas that will keep you from breaking the bank and have your home looking like the cribs on MTV.

Since you’ll be making hefty monthly mortgage payments for the next 25 years, you’re probably going to be spending a lot more time at home. If you care to indulge in a nice glass of red every now and then, you can collect your corks and create your own art; restaurants have been doing it for years, but recently it has actually become a big trend in homes too. For centrepieces, pick a favourite vase and fill it up! Real wine drinkers can start a new artistic venture like this one:

Via beforeandafterandstillinprogress.blogspot.com

… Or you can just purchase a frame box like the one below and start a collection. Your choice.

If you’re more of a card player than a wine drinker, consider selecting a few cards from your favourite deck and blowing them up digitally and getting them printed. This idea looks fantastic in bars/entertainment rooms with a simple silver or black frame. Depending on the colour and intricacy of the deck and quality of print, this idea could easily fit a budget under $100.

Via Geezees Custom Canvas on etsy

For first-time homebuyers that are also newlyweds, this might just seem like the cutest idea; get your vows blown up and printed! It’s an incredible way to commemorate your love on a daily basis and it’s inexpensive. It looks artsy and romantic and it might even get your guests teary eyed when they come check out the new hangout. If it’s the first time you’re cohabiting, having a constant reminder of these vows might (will) eventually come in handy too!

Via marthastewart.com

Especially since so many of our festive decorating ideas include vases, we thought it would be conscientious of us to reveal this sneaky little secret to beloved, budget wise fans. Using enamel paints and sprays, it’s entirely possible to embellish beautifully shaped bottles transforming otherwise useless glass into stunning vases. Bottles that formerly contained oils, salts, herbs and other products found in the kitchen and washroom look boho-chic with new coats of colour, sparkles or artistic images painted on by hand. Get as creative as you can, and post your works up in the corners of washroom counters and centres of tables!

Via marthastewart.com

Though this isn’t technically décor, it’s still an economical improvement to your kitchen that adds character. If you’ve put in an additional standard cabinet/cupboard on a wall, consider adding brackets to the top and bottom of the unit. Each bracket can be found at Home Depot for $10+; you’ll need four altogether and some planks or rods to complete the look. The one they’ve used is attached to a double-door cupboard. The thin plank directly beneath it creates a great herb shelf but can also be lowered to store cups. In a craftier variation, try carving small crescents into the plank to hang wine glasses. They’ve also included a rod beneath the shelf for towels. Painted to your liking, this cabinet add-on is a wonderful way to add dimension to your kitchen.

If you’re brave enough to try these out (someone out there must be), show us how they turned out on Facebook or Twitter!