Tips, Advice, and Home Decor Apps to Help You Redecorate Your Family Home on a Budget

While Pinterest home design pages and your favorite home décor magazine might make it seem like it will cost a fortune to redecorate your home, that doesn't have to be the case. We consulted experts for nine tips on redecorating your New York home and redesign your space without spending a ton of money as well as home design apps that come in handy. Discount home decor stores, thrift shops, and even home design apps can help you make your space everything you want it to be (without breaking the bank!) 

Look at your rooms with a new eye.

Before you start shopping, consider this: Your rooms may just need a little rearranging using your existing furniture. After all, a mere shuffling around of your pieces, including furniture, wall art, and even those photographs that seem dull and tired, may work wonders to brighten your space exponentially.

Tip: If you have a friend with a great eye, invite her over and ask her for some quick suggestions.

Use mementos and heirlooms to decorate inexpensively.

Whether it’s a vintage collection of blue glass or a set of framed photos of your grandma’s farmhouse, these items are not only inexpensive additions to your home décor, they’re fun, too. “These tell stories and make for great conversation starters,” says Alix Greenberg, founder and CEO of ArtSugar, a contemporary art ecommerce company in New York City. “Best of all they add a warm and personal touch to your space.”

Cherry-pick your favorites.

If you’re a collector of certain items, whether these are vintage milk bottles or antique advertising signs, displaying them can add a truly personal touch to your space. However, you want to be careful to avoid veering into a space that looks overly cluttered.

Tip: To avoid the feeling that your rooms are packed with stuff and attain a more streamlined feel to your home, cherry-pick your favorite items and display them. Put the rest in storage until you’re ready to switch them out. 

Consider a DIY craft project.

Whether you believe you’re crafty—or not—there are a few easy craft projects that you might want to consider doing next time you have a free weekend. Why not paint an ugly, chipped bookshelf in a bright new color? Or maybe sew a set of slipcovers to replace a faded sofa set or recover tired or ripped dining cushions with a bright, new fabric.

Browse your local thrift shop.

Shopping secondhand is a no-brainer when it comes to home decor and furniture since these stores are the best places to find gently used, quality pieces for less. Plus, you won’t skimp on style as you’re trying to save money, says Andrea Woroch, a nationally recognized consumer and money-saving expert.

Tip: Scout your local thrift shop on the regular to pick up furniture that will be far less expensive than shopping for brand-new items. 

Learn what each store specializes in.

Some stores are best for furniture bargains while others are notable for high-quality accessories—sold at inexpensive prices. Take World Market as an example: “What I love best about this store is [its] unique selection of home décor pieces,” Boiko says. “No matter what your style is, World Market has something for everyone. My favorite pieces are the black villa stripe dishtowels and Blue Bistro Stripe placemats. Both styles work well for [different] kitchen and dining room types, including modern, farmhouse or country.”

Shop discount stores.

Retailers like HomeGoods, TJ Maxx, Target, and Marshalls are known for their quality pieces that are sold at a major discount. These are great places to shop if you’re looking to perk up your decorative accessories, says Jeanine Boiko, a real estate salesperson in Wantagh. “For example, I love the throw pillows at HomeGoods,” she says. “Some retailers make you purchase the pillow cover and cushion separately, which can add up quickly whereas HomeGoods typically offers several options of throw pillows that are stylish and budget-friendly.”