3 Keys to Seasonal Decorating on a Budget
Over Labor Day weekend, the season of autumn flipped a switch. One day it was sunny and hot, and the next…okay it was still sunny and hot, but there were leaves on the ground! Stuart and I happened to be in Bothell, Washington over the weekend to be in our friend’s wedding. When we got back home in Moscow, I started to feel the itch to decorate for the autumn season. Since this is the first fall season in our new home, I didn’t have a vision of what our décor would look like, but I knew we had basically no budget for new items.
As a married couple, we avoid collecting “things” that do not serve an important purpose or won’t bring us joy in the long run. Sometimes items like seasonal décor are more enjoyable to buy (as retail therapy) than to actually see in your home for the next three or so months. When it comes to keeping costs low for fun things like décor, it helps to think outside of the box.
Here are three keys to decorating your home for the season on a budget.
#1 - Use what you have.
Your storage closet is a great place to start. Pull out those boxes, tubs, and bags and assess what you already own. Use décor from previous years, borrow pieces from other seasons, even take a peek in your kitchen cupboards for forgotten items. Reimagine how you can use items already in your house.
Can you believe everything in the photo above was already in my house?
pumpkins and sign: sale items from a craft store I bought while in college
candles: leftover decorations we saved from our wedding
glassware: the short dish on the left is a piece from a three-tier treat display that was a wedding gift, and the glass stand on the right is the bottom of my trifle dish
#2 - Make new things.
Look around and get creative! Borrow branches, leaves, and flowers from your yard to make a pretty arrangement, wreath, or centerpiece. Make a pennant banner out of fabric scraps and twine or paint a canvas with a seasonal saying! These canvases were items I created for a fundraising auction, but pieces like these can be customized for the season and home. Check out the DIY section for ideas!
#3 - Invest in staples.
Maybe you don’t have the right items or supplies in your home, or maybe you have your heart set on some key pieces to bring your look together. If you love it, don’t own it, and can’t make it, then it’s time to make a thoughtful purchase.
“...be selective...focus on buying multi-purpose and transitional pieces.”
The key to saving money here is to be selective – if you’re going to spend money, focus on buying multi-purpose and transitional pieces. Shop secondhand at garage sales, thrift stores, or even a friend’s stash (with permission of course!) before buying new. And if you must buy new, don’t pay full price! Go to the dollar store first, or shop a sale. Craft stores often have sales on autumn items in the midst of the autumn season. This means if you wait until the beginning of the season to do your decorating, you can score a deal! Don’t forget to check for coupons too – I’ve saved a ton of money by using mobile coupons I came across by checking the store website – sometimes while in the checkout line!
I highly recommend applying these tips to other areas of life, but I hope they will help you get on the right path to decorating your home this season!