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10 No-Cost Redecorating Tips: How To Use What You Already Have

by on Apr 10, 2014

Better Homes and Gardens

Redecorating your home is not necessarily synonymous with spending a ton of money. Believe it or not, there are lots of things you can do that won’t cost you a penny. Read on for some clever ideas.  

1. Create interesting wall art. I can almost guarantee that you have some potential pieces of wall art lying around your home… you just have to find them. My favorite idea is to tear out maps of your favorite places from an old atlas and frame them. Or you could do the same using an old bird book, sheet music, a cookbook or even pieces of scrap fabric. And if you don’t have frames lying around, consider some of these inexpensive display ideas.

2. Rearrange your furniture. Try moving pieces out from the wall, or into a diagonal layout. Consider moving pieces from one room to another as well – this will immediately give your space a fresh feel.

3. Remove doors. Don’t like your closet door? Take it off, stick it under your bed (or use it somewhere else), and replace it with a curtain or a pretty piece of fabric. Kitchen cabinets are also fair game – remove the doors on a couple of cabinets and create artfully arranged open shelving. It will make your kitchen feel bigger!

4. Clean and de-clutter. This is another easy way to make your space feel fresh and new. This article has some great tips on how to reduce the amount of stuff you have in your home.

Books arranged by color.Via Decorating Files

5. Choose one or two unifying colors. Then arrange things accordingly. If you have a lot of books, separate them by color as shown above. Accentuate the look by adding coordinating decorative pieces, and don’t be afraid to paint them the right color if need be. [Photo: Via The Decorating Files]

6. Add an element of surprise. Try moving things to unexpected places. Move an old table lamp into the kitchen for an inviting twist, or place a bowl of apples in the living room as a centerpiece for your coffee table. 

Recycled jars with painted lids.Houzz

7. Repurpose old items. Give an old drinking glass a makeover and use it as a vase in another room. Or recycle used glass jars and containers for small storage. Paint the lids one unifying color as shown in the image above. [Photo: Houzz]

8. Paint an accent wall. Okay, so this might cost something… but if you already have some paint leftover from another project, then this too could be free. If you have two coordinating colors, you could paint stripes. Also consider mixing two paint colors together. Be sure to mix thoroughly though, and try a swatch on the wall before committing fully.

Painted twigs in a vase.What’s Ur Home Story

9. Bring the outdoors in. Gather some twigs and spray paint them for a pretty new centerpiece. Grab some shells from the beach and put them in a glass bowl. Use a large rock as a doorstop. The possibilities are endless. [Photo: What’s Ur Home Story]

10. Add some greenery. Even this doesn’t have to cost a penny if you already have plants in your home. Just take clippings from existing plants and place them in vases of water until they grow roots, and then plant them in pots and watch them grow. I did this with a plant I bought last year… now I have four of them.

If you have any other ideas, please share them with us in the comments section below!

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