Piano: Craigslist $0 (found in the free section) | Console: Found in alley $0 | Blanket Ladder: Target Clearance $20 | Sliding barn door hardware: Amazon $169.90
Hey friends! Today I want to share 8 ways you can style your home on a super tight budget. You may not know this about me, but I love interior design/decorating, and was so close to studying it in college. I kind of wish I did, but God knows all things. We've designed our budget around what brings us the most joy. So buying furniture or home goods doesn't have a high priority in our budget. Finding that rhythm in designing a space that feels authentic to us, but also not hurting our bank account is something I long to be mindful of when decorating our space.
Also, as I shared in the last blog post, we lost everything back in 2009, which taught us so much about our possessions and really freed us to know that our worth and identity isn't based on what we have. So for us, we don't have a desire to buy certain brands or top of the line products, not because we don't see the value in it, but because it's not what brings us joy, so it's not something we feel the need to have. And that's brought such a sense of freedom to us.
We also have chosen to live minimally and really only purchase what will serve a purpose to our family and home. Now this is our home that we just moved out of 2 months ago, and I will have to show you guys what our current design looks like in the Firehouse....but first I have to take photos! haha! Until then....
HERE'S 8 AFFORDABLE WAYS TO STYLE YOUR HOME
Ikea : Clearance $37 Ikea: FAUX sheepskin: Clearance $7
1. SHOP THE CLEARANCE SECTION
I am obsessed with Target, and Ikea's clearance section. Oh and we can't forget IKEA's as-is section too. We have found some really great pieces for 50% off or more. I'm at Target all the time and love all their home goods, so when I find something that's on clearance, I ask myself, does this fit in our home? What purpose will it serve? If I can answer these 2 questions, then I'll go ahead and buy it. I'm also a pillow queen who loves buying pillows on clearance....haha!
Dresser: Thrifted $50 | Bed: Craigslist $60 | Mirror: Thrifted $10 | Deer Art: Hobby Lobby $20
2. TRY THRIFTING
I have always been a thrifter since my teenage years. When we lost everything, we needed to rebuild, so we thrifted everything, or found it on Craigslist. We were able to purchase everything with cash as we went, without getting into debt. I think when you can mix in some thrifted pieces with new pieces, it really creates a cohesive space, and you'd never really know what was thrifted or not. And because the pieces of furniture we bought were solid wood, we have most of them today. If the pieces you purchased aren't a color you enjoy, you can always paint it. Another place to check out are garage sales. I feel garage sales are where you can find the best deals, and you can always negotiate the prices too.
Craigslist: Piano $0 (found in the free section!)
3. CHECK OUT CRAIGSLIST, ESPECIALLY THE FREE SECTION
We love Craigslist! It's where we have found some really cool furniture, like couches, our bed, and even this piano, which Jeremy found in the free section....how cool is that?!? The free section is usually "first to come, gets it," so you have to be ready to figure out how to pick it up, but you can find some really neat pieces of furniture this way.
Couch: VCF $399 | Rug: From a friend $0 | blanket ladder: Target $20 | HOPE sign : handmade less than $20
4. MAKE YOUR OWN ART
Art can be really pricey, and quite the investment. One day, I'd love to buy some fancy art, but until then, we made some of our own. It's a way to be creative, and to create something that is one of a kind, and that no one else will have. We've also made art by using our family photos, and adding a bible verse on it. It's simple, and is also a great reminder of who we are as a family. It makes looking at if really special, and brings back such great memories.
Couch: VCF $399 | Rug: From a friend $0 | Yellow Chair: Thrifted $20 Wicker Table: Ikea: AS-IS $35
5. HIT UP YOUR FRIENDS
Check in with your friends, sometimes they are in the process of moving or selling old pieces. Sometimes they are even willing to give it to you free, if you just go and pick it up, that's how we got that rug.
Couch: VCF $399
6. BE OPEN TO DEPARTMENT STORES LIKE VCF
When we were on a hunt for a new table and couch, we had a very minimal budget. So we went to Value City Furniture (VCF) and bought a simple couch for our living room, that happened to be on sale for $399. Which was a perfect price point for us. And if you don't love the legs, know that you can always swap them out to get the look you are hoping for. After the couch we saved up to buy a new dining room table, and again it was on sale for $250. We bought our chairs and bench separately giving our dining room that custom look we wanted, but yet again at a super affordable cost.
KET-merchantile: Macrame $0 Dresser: Thrifted $50 | Bed: craigslist $60
7. BARTER FOR PRODUCT
If you have a skill-set where you can barter with someone who makes a product that you love, I encourage you to reach out and ask them if they'd like to collaborate or barter. For example, my macrame friend was interested in me teaching her how to photograph her own content. So I told her I'd barter with her for a one-on-one mentoring session in exchange for a macrame piece, and she agreed. Our collaboration was so much fun, and now I have one of custom pieces forever!
Hammock: $99
8. BUY PRODUCTS THAT GIVE BACK OR SUPPORT ARTISANS
And lastly, I love purchasing products that give back, or have a great business ethic. This hammock is handmade in Nicaragua. The business is a social enterprise, which means that not only do they pay fair wages to their artisans, but also care about their social impact.
