As a first-time homebuyer, stepping through the door of your new abode can be thrilling, yet nerve-wracking: You want to fill the space with style and flair and, often, without spending too much money or time on it.

Don’t sweat the small stuff when it comes to designing your home. Choose whatever décor brings you joy–that’s always the right choice. Take it one room at a time, and let yourself explore creative decorating options to turn your house into something special.

To ensure an even more successful beginning, incorporate some of these decorating ideas and transform your space into something totally you. These ideas are not only stylish and unique, but also affordable.

Overview:

• Home Decorating Ideas with Minimal Effort and Investment

• Home Decorating Ideas with Medium Effort

• Home Decorating Ideas with Maximum Effort

Home Decorating Ideas with Minimal Effort and Investment

For folks on a budget, sprucing up your home can be overwhelming or stressful. But there are plenty of ways to style your space without breaking the bank and with minimal effort. If you're looking for some affordable home decorating ideas, look no further.

Home Decorating Idea #1: Rugs and Runners

Transform your home from drab to fab with area rugs. Layer traditional and modern styles, mix rustic designs, or go boho-chic. For a little extra pizzazz, you can make any room warm and inviting by laying down cozy runners at creative angles for an on-trend look that’s uniquely yours.

Home Decorating Idea #2: Slipcover the Sofa

If your living room furniture needs a facelift, but buying a new piece is out of reach, you can give the space an instant refresh by using slipcovers. With just one purchase, they transform the look and feel–and the color and style–with minimal effort on your part. Slipcovering is also great if someone has allergies; most fabrics nowadays come pre-treated with antimicrobial options, making them easy to keep clean. For something a little more furniture-ambitious, see Reupholstering in the “Maximum Effort” category.

Home Decorating Idea #3: Thrift Some New Pieces

For an original, stylish look in your home on a budget, try thrift shopping. You can find unique vintage items at wildly cheap prices. You truly never know what kind of inspiring side table, eclectic painting, or other odds and ends you’ll find when thrift shopping. The thrill of the unexpected also adds to the fun! Thrift shopping is a great way to creatively transform your space.

Home Decorating Idea #4: Change out Your Accents

Bring a splash of life to your home decor with some simple-yet-transformative changes. Swap out mundane accent pieces for an exciting array of cushions and throws throughout the living room. Add new baskets on shelves, filled with whatever you want, or replace lampshades with vibrant colors or funky patterns. Switch out candles, too. Playing with accents doesn’t have to be just a seasonal activity, but it can be fun to make your space extra decorative around your favorite holidays.

In the bedroom, new sheets and a comforter, new pillow shams, and a nice rug by the bed can do wonders. Check your local hardware store to revamp your kitchen and bathroom by simply changing out the handles on your cabinets and drawers (it’s a much easier and more budget-friendly alternative to redesigning the entire space). You can also change out your door knobs throughout the house.

Home Decorating Idea #5: Bring Nature Inside

Yes, bring the outside in. Bring in decorative tree branches and logs, fill a dish with pinecones, get rattan furniture, or use decorative vases filled with seagrass. Natural elements bring a sense of calm to your surroundings. A decorative bowl of stones, an aquarium, or a vase of bamboo poles are easy ways to incorporate nature into your living space.

Spice up any room with beautiful greenery, whether it's real houseplants or faux vines and flowers. Get creative by painting charming flower pots in all shapes and colors, dress up walls with hanging plant shelves featuring unique designs, or even craft macramé hangers for that extra 'green' flair. No matter how you add nature into the mix, you can bring a bit of freshness indoors.

Home Decorating Idea #6: Window Treatments

Instantly elevate any space by introducing window treatments that showcase your style. Opt for fresh blinds, shades, or curtains to spice up a room. Choose bold colors and patterns for maximal impact. Curtains are the perfect way to make an eye-catching statement in any area of your home while maintaining its classic appeal. Or select blinds and shades if you’re looking for something sleek and minimalist. These are alternatives to curate wall décor without redoing the entire space.

Home Decorating Idea #7: Up Your Art Game

A treasured home is not only well-maintained, but it's also decorated with pieces that reflect your unique aesthetic and story. Luckily, finding the perfect wall art for a good price is achievable. Check out contemporary local artists’ work or browse department store prints. You could even create an entire striking statement on a single wall using eclectic items such as antique mirrors or dinner plates–cheaper than buying a Van Gogh original.

Home Decorating Idea #8: Create a Memorable Reflection

Mirrors can be an eye-catching, efficient way to make any space appear larger and more inviting. Their ability to reflect light from windows or lamps helps create an illuminated atmosphere that adds drama and warmth. Hang a few along hallways or staircases for instant glamor and a stylish upgrade.

Home Decorating Idea #9: DIY Wall Art

Create a one-of-a-kind art piece for your home. All you need is canvas, paints, and an imagination or idea. Make something with geometric lines or shapes. Grab any pattern from circles to polka dots as long as it’s what you want. Macramé is one way to add a unique and elegant touch. Chalkboard paint is another fun and simple DIY wall art idea that’s great for staying organized or keeping the wall art constantly fresh. Transform a wall in your home into the perfect canvas for drawing, writing to-do lists, or expressing yourself.  You could always add in some string lights to your wall art for extra flair. 

You can also create your own wall gallery with some framed prints of treasured photos. Collect some of your  favorite magazines and flip through, plucking out alluring images or captivating words like an artist selects paints from their palette. Mix black and white newspapers with colored magazine paper for contrast, or keep things pure monochromatic if that's more appealing to you. Be as bold in creating something as you’d like. DIY wall art looks amazing when you unleash those creative juices.

Home Decorating Idea #10: Frames 

Old picture frames can easily be repurposed as charming and inexpensive wall décor. Get creative by framing unique photos. Upcycle old cards, gift bags, or wrapping paper, outlined in a unique frame. And if there's something about an existing frame that just doesn't fit in, grab some paint to give it new life.

Home Decorating Idea #11: Create a Reading or Entertainment Nook

Transform any room into an inviting reading or entertainment nook by selecting furniture with vibrant colors and designs. Even if you don't have an entirely separate room, simply sprucing up part of one can make it seem like there's more than meets the eye. You can use pretty dividers, too, to denote the room’s nooks.

Home Decorating Idea #12: Pull out the Paintbrushes

Reviving a space is as easy as getting out the paintbrush. With so many colors to choose from, you can create a completely new look and feel in any room. By applying a fresh coat of paint, you’ll cover any pesky marks or nicks on your walls, too. You could also repaint a bookshelf or just a single wall, making it an an accent wall. 

What is an accent wall?

An accent wall is a wall that differs in color or style from the rest in the room. For example, if your bedroom is a cream color, your accent wall could be a vibrant red or dark brown, or another on-trend interior design paint color. Accent walls create contrast and can take your decorating game to another level.

Home Decorating Idea #13 - Use Wallpaper

Refresh and renew your home with a burst of color! Express yourself, save money, and take minimal effort–all it takes is wallpaper. Whether you go for something classic off the shelf or opt to show off your individual style with custom designs, there are countless colors and patterns ready to be uncovered.

Home Decorating Idea #14: Reorganize

Reorganizing your space is more than just basic necessity at times: It can revolutionize the way you interact with and experience a room. By simply moving some furniture around, you can breathe new life into any room and make it seem like a total makeover has occurred.  

Home Decorating Ideas with Medium Effort

Ready to take your home design game up a notch? Take on some of these savvy decorating ideas–and power tools–with confidence and no big budget required.

Home Decorating Idea #15: Stencils and Murals

Upgrade any wall with a vibrant accent, funky mural, or mesmerizing mandala-inspired stencil. Get creative and utilize the power of pattern to make your walls truly stand out. Add texture or sparkle for an extra wow factor.

Home Decorating Idea #16: Change up Your Lighting

Transform the vibe of a room with some simple lighting solutions. Replace ceiling lights with varying levels of brightness and warmth. Throw in floor lamps or tea-lights in fun containers, but be careful and pay attention to what kinds of containers and materials are candle-safe. Hang enchanting fairy lights to add an extra dimension of mood. As long as they are candle-safe, set up candles in antique bowls or teacups for romantic ambiance and bask in tranquil light anywhere in the room.

Dimmed soft white lights create a cozy atmosphere, while warm golden light bulbs evoke an inviting ambiance. If you're feeling bold and daring, try colored bulbs to set a special, or festive, mood. For something extra stylish yet subtle, install wall sconces with hidden cords and LED strips–perfect for defining texture in any interior space.

Home Decorating Idea #17: Add Shelving

Decorating your home doesn't have to be a daunting experience. Spruce up the space with stylish shelving. Wall-mounted shelves, free standing units, or built-in shelving can act not only as functional storage solutions, but also as fashionable décor pieces.

Home Decorating Idea #18: Refinish Tables and Shelves

Revive tired old tables and shelves with a fresh coat of paint or beautiful wood stain. Sand it down to remove any imperfections, then choose from the myriad colors available in either paint or elegant natural-looking stains. Stains come in a variety of shades, so you’ll be able to see the beautiful patterns of the natural wood with a glossy finish while keeping it protected in sealant.

Home Decorating Idea #19: Contrast Your Décor

Dare to unleash the designer within and let your personal style shine. Go bold–clash contemporary with classic, if you want. Use a mix of materials, textures, and metallic accents for an eye-catching look that’s sure to impress. A fun touch in the kitchen could be hand-picking a myriad of chairs for the table–of different colors, patterns, or styles.

Home Decorating Idea #20: DIY Cushion Covers

Make (or buy) some custom cushion covers. Instead of spending time at the sewing machine, just pick up some inexpensive fabric, cut out squares in whatever style you choose, then fasten them together with an adhesive. No need for needles or threads.

Home Decorating Ideas with Maximum Effort

Get ready to take on a unique challenge. If you’re not one for settling with store-bought home decor, these ideas are sure to get you excited to decorate. A few extra materials and hands may be needed–perhaps even some spare dollars if you're feeling particularly ambitious–but nothing compares to the sense of accomplishment from turning something mundane into something magical with only yourself as inspiration.

Home Decorating Idea #21: Reupholstering

Before you get too excited about transforming your cherished chair, couch or other much-used furniture piece with a new look, be cautious. DIY reupholstering can be an expensive endeavor that's not always worth it. Make sure the structure of the item is intact and costs won't outweigh its value, otherwise say goodbye to grand ideas and hello to keeping some coins in pocket. If it’s worth it, crafting a new look for your beloved furniture can be an easy and transformative process. Gather the necessary pieces and tools or connect with a trusted upholsterer, and your favorite pieces will be revitalized.

Home Decorating Idea #22: Renovate the Flooring

Replace existing carpeting to something fresh and comfortable, or remove old laminate to highlight the gorgeous wood floors underneath. Or, you can retile a room; a more budget-friendly option is to use peel-and-stick vinyl tile.

Home Decorating Idea #23: Swap out Kitchen Accents

While countertops, cabinets, and kitchen renovation is often a transformative yet expensive overhaul, achieving your dream kitchen is closer than you think. Enhance the look with updated hardware or fresh paint. Install a butcher’s block into the island counter, or incorporate new, funky designs like marble-looking counter laminate or peel-and-stick backsplash.

Your home is an essential part of life. It’s a place to unwind and destress from the hustle-bustle of the rest of the world. Whether you bought a new-to-you home or a new home, a few creative changes can make any space truly yours. Get started today, creating a cozy oasis where you'll love spending time.

Looking to transform your house into a showstopper with the latest decor trends? Check out Centex’s Home Design Trends blogs for all of your home décor needs.