7 Home Decorating Ideas On A Budget (Look For Less)
Decorating your home doesn’t have to cost a fortune. Today, I’m sharing home decorating ideas on a budget that can copy for your home.
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We’ll look at popular pieces from Pottery Barn and West Elm for inspiration and then I’ll show you Walmart looks for less. You don’t need to spend a fortune to make your home look expensive, with a little research and creativity, you can just make it look like you did.
The best designs are full of high and low pieces but no one would ever know if you don’t tell them. The secret is to invest your money in a few quality pieces and then swap out the low-end items over time. This will not only give your home a unique and personalized feel but also make it easier to update your space without spending too much. If you’re looking for stylish and budget-friendly decorating tips this post is for you!
Key Takeaways:
- You don’t need to spend a lot to make your home look expensive:
- Mix high and low-priced items for a designer look.
- Invest in a few quality pieces and update the rest as your budget allows.
This post is all about home decorating ideas on a budget.
READ MORE>>> Furniture Inspiration On Inspired Design Talk
West Elm And Pottery Barn Style
West Elm and Pottery Barn are both owned by Williams-Sonoma, Inc. They’re run as separate companies and both have stylish furniture but at different price levels.
- West Elm– modern contemporary designs with lower prices
- Pottery Barn– classic timeless pieces at higher prices.
Both are full of ways to create memorable moments in your home.
Designing on a Budget
Creating a stylish home starts with a mix of high and low furniture. You can get an elevated look by choosing a few quality pieces as your foundation. Over time as your budget allows you can switch out the less expensive items for higher-priced ones in your design style.
1. Neutral Statement Sofas
A neutral sofa is the perfect foundation for when designing on a budget. It allows you to update the look of your room just by changing out your throw pillows, blankets, or decorative accents.
Both West Elm and Pottery Barn have stylish neutral sofa ideas in ivory, beige grey or leather. You may be thinking there’s no way you can have a light-colored sofa in your home but with performance fabrics, you absolutely can.
The sofa is one area I do recommend investing in a quality piece if possible. It’ll be a part of your home for 7-15 years on average so you want it to last.
Pottery Barn Sofa Inspiration
Big Sur from Pottery Barn is a great option if it’s in your budget. The best seller is available in many layouts including a fully reclining sofa. The chaise sectional was on display in the store and is currently on sale for $4500-$5300 depending on the fabric you choose.
If it’s not in your budget at this time no worries you can get a similar look from Walmart for just over $650.
$$$ Big Sur // Look For Less Chaise Sectional
West Elm Sofa Inspiration
West Elm has a grey velvet chaise sofa that’s stunning. It’ll add a touch of modern sophistication and luxury to a room. Depending on the size and fabric it’ll cost you around $2300.
Walmart has a similar look for less at a smaller scale for under $500. It’s available in grey, black or pink for a pop of color. For that price you go for the pink and change it if you get bored without feeling guilty.
$$ Chaise Sectional // Look Alike Velvet Chaise Sectional
Curved Sectionals
Curved sectionals are having a moment in interior design and West Elm has one for just under $2600. It’s upholstered in a nubby boucle fabric that will add texture and a cozy feeling to you home. The Walmart look alike curved boucle sectional is just under $1900 which is fabulous.
$$ Curved Sectional // Look Alike Boucle Sectional
Pro Tip: A curved sectional works best in spaces where you’re able to hightlight the silhouette. The ideal placement is at least 2-3 feet away from the wall.
Floor Plan Guide
As with any sofa you have to measure and do a floor plan to know it will fit.
2. Coffee Table Ideas
The coffee table you choose will be at the center of your design and is another place to make a statement.
Coffee Tables Perfect For Small Spaces
Pottery Barn has a set of wood and metal nesting tables that are perfect for maximizing your square footage. They can be stacked together or spread apart depending on your needs.
Mixed materials are great for adding interest and depth. The metal frame frame has a modern feeling while the wood adds warmth. You can get a similar look at a smaller scale from Walmart for just under $160.
Look Alike Nesting Tables // $$$ Nesting Tables
There was also this glass and gold coffee table that’ll make a smaller space feel light and airy with it’s transparent design. The Pottery Barn coffee table is almost $800 but you can get a similar look for less from Walmart for under $150.
Look For Less Coffee Table // $$$ Glass Coffee Table
Again the scale is the main difference which works if you have a smaller space. You can also double up and most time the cost of two from Walmart is still less that one at higher end stores.
Modern Coffee Tables
West Elm has a marble and gold pedestal coffee table that would go perfectly with the chaise or curved sectional. It’s just under $800 but you can get it for less than half the price at Walmart at $365.
Gold Marble Coffee Table Look Alike // $$ Pedestal Coffee Table
Organic shapes are currently trending and add movement in a room. West Elm has a organic coffee table for under $600 but the Walmart look for less is under $240.
$$ Wood Coffee Table // Kidney Shaped Coffee Table Look For Less
3. Stylish Accent Chairs
If you’ve been following along you know accent chairs are a great way to elevate the look of any room. They can be placed as a pair or alone to create a moment in your interior design.
If you have the classic sofa and loveseat combo move the loveseat to another room and replace it with a pair of accent chairs for an updated look.
Vegan Accent Chair
West Elm had this mid century modern vegan leather chair for $799 which you can get a very simlar look from Walmart for just under $100. You can buy 2 chairs from Walmart and you’ll still be at a third the price of one from West Elm.
Affordable Accent Chair // $$ Vegan Accent Chair
Anytime you see the word vegan it means it’s not real so there was no animal cruelty in the making of these chairs. West Elm does have the option of real leather as well.
Traditional Accent Chair
For a more traditional vibe Pottery Barn has this english roll arm chair for $1500 which you can get the look for less at Walmart for just over $400.
Walmart Traditional Chair // $$$ English Arm Chair
Again you can add a pair with a cute accent table between and you’ll still be at less than one chair from Pottery Barn. Just saying…
4. Unique Accent Tables
There are many home decorating ideas on a budget with unique accent tables. Aside from providing a surface area many look like a work of art with their stylish silhouettes.
For example, the gold accent table from Pottery Barn for $200. The unique design will make a statement and be a conversion starter. Walmart also has a gold table for $93 that’ll give you a similar look for half the price. Either one could be styled between a pair of accent chairs, on either side of your sofa, or even next to your bed.
Gold Accent Table For Less // $$$ Gold Accent Table
Pottery Barn also had this stylish c table for $200 that’ll a touch of elegance and sophistication to your living room. It’s perfect for small rooms because it can slide under a sofa or chair to maximize your space. The Walmart c-table has a similar feel and will only cost you $50 bucks which is fabulous.
Affordable C Table // Look For Less Table // $$$ Gold C Table
Small Table: Big Impact
I personally LOVE West Elm for stylish accent tables and have two drink tables from there in my home. On this store visit they had this super cute wood drink table with a sculptural silhouette for $130.
You can get a similar vibe from the Walmart drink table for $6. In my opinion, the West Elm drink table is affordable and I honestly would just by this style from there.
Sculptural Accent Table // $$ Wood Drink Table
The same goes for this organic drink table from West Elm that’s on sale right now for $90. This is another one that you’re not going to find a dupe to beat the price because it’s already so good.
West Elm also had a pedestal table moment with a set for $250 in a light or medium wood tone. Groupings of accent tables are trending and you can get a similar feel from the set of three at Walmart for $275.
5. Creating Moments with Bar Carts
One of the first things that caught my eye in Pottery Barn was this cute bar cart. This is another piece that’ll add function and style to your room. Not only will it keep your alcohol organized but it’s another place to decorate and show off your unique style. You can change it out for the seasons like this one that’s styled with cute halloween decor.
If you’re like me and don’t drink you could use it as a coffee or tea station as well. The Pottery Barn bar cart is almost $450 but you can get a similar look at Walmart for $100.
$$$ Bar Cart // Look Alike Bar Cart
Home Decorating Ideas On A Budget: Look For Less
Just to give you an idea of how much you can save by shopping Walmart this high end moment with a few piece we’ve seen so far would cost you almost $9000. The look for less is a fraction of the price at just over $1350.
This is just one example of how you can get the same vibe and a curated look by doing your research.
6. Changing the Color Palette with Pillows & Throws
One of the most affordable ways to decorate and make a big impact is by updating your color palette with your throw blanket and pillows. Another reason why it’s a good idea to start with a neutral sofa because you can easily change the look when you get bored or as the seasons change.
Pottery barn was full of pillows and blankets that had a cozy fall feeling which you can duplicate the look for less at Walmart. Pillows are also great to use as the jumping off point when creating your color palette.
7. Organic Vases And Decor
Less is more when it comes to decorating and using a few organic vases with decor can really make a big impact. Pottery Barn and West Elm were full of inspiration but as you’ve seen throughout this post you can get the look for less from Walmart.
I saved my favorite affordable vases to my walmart storefront so definitely check those out. The trick is to layer different sizes and texture with foliage for a curated look.
Stylish Halloween Home Decorating Ideas On A Budget
Lastly with Halloween around the corner I saved my favorite Seasonal Decor that’ll get you in the spirit but still has an elevated look. Many of these are at a fraction of the price of Pottery Barn so you can shop guilt free and have fun.
That’s A Wrap!
These are just a few decorating ideas to help you get the most out of your budget. If your looking for more of an in depth step by step guide to make your home look expensive and like you hired a designer sign up for Designer home 101. In the course you’ll learn everything from finding your style to adding the finishing touches that make a home feel complete.
I hope you enjoyed seeing these home decorating ideas on a budget and have inspiration for your next project. There’s always a way to make your home look expensive with a little creativety and effort. Less is more when decorating your home and don’t be afraid to mix high and low because no one will know if you don’t tell them. Remember good design takes time so dont rush the process.
This post is all about home decorating ideas on a budget.
Related Posts:
- Pottery Barn Bedroom Ideas (Shop The Look) 2024
- Mid Century Modern Inspiration From West Elm (Shop The Look)
- Best Home Decor Ideas From Lulu And Georgia
Last Updated on September 22, 2024 by Nicole DelaCruz
