10 Simple Ways to Create an Elegant Home on a Budget

Tatenda Chakabuda
6 min readJun 22, 2022

After spending a lot of time at home during the pandemic, I guess we all got to appreciate the importance of having a comfortable and elegant home.

With many people being laid off at work and facing a lot of financial constraints, we also realized that not everything is supposed to be expensive. Creating the elegant home of your dreams is one of those things that should not cost an arm and a leg.

Our home environment plays an important role in our mental health and we all deserve a relaxing home where we can relax and recharge after a long day.

Here are 10 ways to create a stylish and elegant home on a budget.

1. Less is more

Photo by Daniil Silantev on Unsplash

Clutter is definitely a must-not-have when attempting to create an elegant home. Having a lot of stuff can be messy and chaotic making your place look cheap. Try to leave some clean space on your walls and surfaces. Declutter and find a home for everything and get rid of stuff you haven’t used in a while.

Not only will this help your home look more luxe, but it will also improve your mental health and relationships.

2. Grocery store flowers

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Flowers make us less troubled and agitated. Their beauty helps us get a more positive outlook on life thereby improving our mood for the better. However, flowers can be expensive. Considering the effort that is put into the whole process from planting up to the beautifully and artfully arranged bouquets we see in floral shops we can see why the price is high.

Thankfully we have grocery stores that also sell flowers at a cheaper price. Consider brightening up your home and mood with these affordable yet still gorgeous flowers.

3. Happily thrift

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Financial constraints are one of the leading causes of stress. You can reduce your expenses by thrifting. It is one way to get modern and stylish pieces at an affordable price while being considerate of the environment. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure so, occasionally check out thrift shops, Facebook marketplace and garage sales. You might be surprised by the stuff you will find.

4. Change your lampshades

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You don’t have to change lamps especially if they are still working fine. Rather, you can switch things up by changing the lampshades. This will allow you to create a personalized look that goes with your theme.

5. Consider area rugs

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Rugs have the superpower of bringing everything together. They add warmth and texture to the room. Different types of rugs induce different feelings for different people. Depending on your preference, get a rug that has a color and texture that makes your home cozy and relaxing. A bigger rug means all the furniture can be neatly arranged on the rug.

Honestly, rugs can be expensive. When shopping for one, don’t buy the first one you see. Patiently shop around for the most affordable yet beautiful and durable rug.

6. Throw some pillows

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Throw pillows are fun statement pieces that can easily be personalized and changed. They are also a great way to play around and mix colors and textures.

You can have fun putting your DIY skills to the test by making your own. If your pillows are still in good condition, you simply need new pillow covers that complement the tone of the room.

7. Play around with light

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Maximize natural light by not having anything in the way of your windows. Natural light has been shown to improve sleep cycles as well as alleviate signs of depression, seasonal affective disorder and agitation.

To spice things up, consider standing lamps and table lamps for that elegant home lighting. Chandeliers are another great piece to add to your home. There are several designs on the market and you will likely find one that matches what you’re going for.

Keep the size of your place in mind and choose the most appropriate size. Remember to opt for energy-efficient bulbs.

8. Hang your curtains high

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Curtains are a home staple when it comes to class and style. Opt for bold and high-quality curtains. When hanging them, hang them high and wide. Ensure that the curtain rod is high and go for long curtains to create the fancy loft and high ceilings illusion.

9. Add some art to the walls

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Don’t be afraid to unleash the art enthusiast in you. A few unique art pieces can transform your home in unimaginable ways. From family portraits to framed art and canvas. There is something for every theme.

If you have some old artwork locked up in the basement because it no longer goes with your style, now is the time to get it and revamp the frames with some spray paint and your arts and crafts skills. Local craft stores and thrift stores are great places to find affordable art. Remember, not every empty wall needs a dash of art.

10. Go for neutral paint

Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

Before choosing a color, always take a sample home and see how it will look in your home and lighting.

Neutral paints make it easy for you to switch things up and easily change your decor. They create a stylish look that is clean and minimalist. Moreover, they are gentle on the eye hence creating a calming and relaxing effect which you need when you come back home.

Create the elegant home of your dreams

We spend a lot of time at home. The least we can do is ensure that we have a nice and comfortable home. An elegant home can be uplifting and rejuvenating allowing us to unwind and be in a better mental state.

We would all love to hire a professional designer to help us achieve the home of our dreams. Sadly, not all of us can afford that. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have or don’t deserve amazing homes that look like they belong in magazines.

With these tips, you can create a home that you will enjoy spending time in on a budget. Little things like good lighting, rugs, pillows and flowers can give your place that homey vibe you’ve always wanted.

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Tatenda Chakabuda

I write about wellness, selfcare, lifestyle, travel and pretty much anything interesting.