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How To Decorate {Simple & Affordable Ways to Decorate a Home}

by | Feb 27, 2011 | Decorating Inspiration

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How To Decorate {Simple & Affordable Ways to Decorate a Home}

Do you need tips for how to decorate, no matter what your style or budget is? Do you need some fresh inspiration for ways to decorate your home? I’ve written TONS of posts over the years on how to decorate and find inspiration for your home.

So to help you navigate, I’ve created a gallery of decorating ideas and a list of my favorite tips which I think will be very helpful! This Decorating 101 series will provide you with endless affordable and simple ideas for your home.

Below is the gallery of posts to inspire you with the types of tips, ideas and decorating inspiration you are looking for. Simply click on any of the boxes below in the inspiration gallery and then scroll through the related posts to be inspired for how to decorate.

Following the decorating inspiration gallery, you’ll find a list of links to simple decorating tricks and topics.

How To Decorate {Simple & Affordable Ways to Decorate a Home}

 

Because I believe everyone deserves a lovely home, here are some links to affordable, doable and practical principles I use to decorate my own home!

How to decorate:

I rethink how we organize our home.

I create mini-destinations.

I find new things at thrift stores and flea markets.

I think of creative ideas for what to hang on walls.

I set trends by having happy decorating accidents.

I do my own simple DIY projects.

I find a magazine photo of a room or idea I like and I recreate it using what I have.

I consider the pros and cons of my choices (white slipcovers!)

I lean & layer artwork and mirrors.

I frame meaningful artwork.

I update rooms on a budget with paint.

I make my own simple DIY wallpaper out of heavy paper or gift wrap!

I organize my house so it is both attractive and functional.

How To Decorate {Simple & Affordable Ways to Decorate a Home}

How To Decorate {Simple & Affordable Ways to Decorate a Home}

I get brave and paint furniture I already have.

I customize beautiful fabric on sale for curtains.

I add paint stripes on walls.

I create an inspiration board.

I use what I love and don’t worry about trends!

I create antiques with character out of unfinished or blah furniture!

If I’m feeling like I am losing my style direction, I create a Progress Report!

I makeover rooms on a budget and with a little creativity

I display things that make me happy.

I decorate with things I love.

How To Decorate {Simple & Affordable Ways to Decorate a Home}

I’m always tweaking things, my house is never done.

I love adding personality through charming architecture.

I use open shelving.

I re-arrange furniture to make our home work better for us.

I like to use natural materials to make my home feel warm.

I love to incorporate the seasons.

I like to add some whimsy!

I like neutrals and pops of color.

I reuse and recycle classic decor items and fabric.

I solve problems with creativity.

I creatively conceal things I don’t like!

I like to establish a purpose and focal point.

I determine when something is GOOD ENOUGH.

I go to the Goodwill and find treasures to spray paint!

I create art out of book pages!

How To Decorate {Simple & Affordable Ways to Decorate a Home}

I use an element of surprise.

I make our home feel like US.

I stalk my favorite stores like Anthropologie for inspiration.

I find ideas for styling my tables and shelves in the Pottery Barn catalog.

I decorate with useful and practical things.

Enjoy!

{I’m sharing this post with Tip Junkie}

 

36 Comments

  1. Lisa

    Melissa, you should put all of these in a book! I’m bookmarking this page – thank you for compiling all your great ideas!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Lisa, what a sweet compliment. Thank you!!

      Reply
  2. Claudia

    This is a great post, thank you for all these tips!!!

    Reply
  3. suzanne

    melissa, I would love to put a link to this on my FB Willow House Simply Great Designs by Suzanne Joffrion page……as a great resource. Would that be ok with you? I won’t do it until you grant permission. thanks!

    Suzanne

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thanks, that would be so sweet of you!

      Reply
  4. Annie

    I agree a book should be in the works for you. I would buy it, read it, and display it. Your work is wonderful and purposeful.

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you Annie….all things are possible!!

      Reply
  5. Tammy

    Love the post! What color/brand of paint did you use in the room that displays the white plates/pcs on the wall? That wall color is warm and cozy!! Thanks!:)

    Reply
  6. Susan

    Ditto about the book. How about an E-Book?

    Reply
  7. lylah ledner

    I love it Melissa….fabulous post….and Susan’s comment about an e-book…yeah, girl…go for it!

    xoxo *farmer* lylah

    Reply
    • Melissa

      :-) Thank you for the encouragement Lylah!!

      Reply
  8. Kathysue

    Melissa, You always have such wonderful and practical ways of looking at design. I really think these should be titles of chapters in your new book??!!! Happy Sunday,Kathysue

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Well, thank you!!!! I appreciate your encouragement so much!!!

      Reply
  9. Karen

    Melissa,

    What a great post and like a mini-reference file for those times when you wonder why a room isn’t working (decor wise). I’ve filed this post in my “favorite” posts for my own future reference. Thanks so much.

    Karen

    Reply
  10. Denise Vanderw Werf

    I am new to ‘The Ispired Room’, and love it so far! I’m finding a lot of common ground here. I’m a uhuuum, almost fifty, stay at home mom and nana. That translates no budget, which translates, gotta get creative.
    Sometimes that creativity looks like an elementary student did it and it finds it’s way to the trash can. Other times I create a keeper. Either way, I have this need to do projects. Yesterday I took a black, metal candle holder, meant for outdoors, painted it an off white, added faux crystal beads and white candles. It’s hanging in my half bath as a beautiful candelier.
    I love being inspired and ‘The Inspired Room’ is full of it. Thank you, I’m so excited!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you Denise! Welcome!

      Reply
  11. Marilyn Holeman

    Melissa, Those commenters are spot on–you should really compile all of this into a book! I was going to say that I really enjoy going back through all of your older posts–some before I followed you, and some since. I could really spend all day going through all of your links–what better than a book?

    Have a blessed day!
    Marilyn

    Reply
  12. Sharon

    I just discovered your blog Melissa and I’m loving it! So much to see and read, I could stay here all day!

    Reply
  13. Karen

    Thank you so much for putting all the links in one spot. I am going to go through each one. My dilemma is trying to cozy up a new home. No matter what I do it still feels cold. Maybe it’s all the hardwood……my home is screaming for molding and any color paint but WHITE. I also have a hard time focusing on just one room at a time. I did get my baby’s room done and I am almost done painting my teen’s room the most gorgeous shade of turquoise ~ with black accessories. I just feel overwhelmed with it all and I want it finished yesterday. I know I should just enjoy the process……..I am definitely grateful for my wonderful home. sorry for the rant…..blessings!

    Reply
  14. Barb

    Thanks for this post! I’m a new blogger and will use this list for quick and easy reference. And, I just saw your blue painted coffee table-awesome!

    Barb

    Reply
  15. Glenda Childers

    What a creative and practical list . . . thanks for sharing and doing all those links. (I hate doing lots of links.) I will enjoy each one.

    Fondly,
    Glenda

    Reply
  16. Tonya

    What a wealth of inspiration! Thanks so much for sharing it all. I enjoyed your previous post as well. This all gives me hope that I can decorate my home in a way that my family will love and enjoy.

    Reply
  17. judy h.

    Dear Melissa, Please write a book! I’ll pre-order a copy today. I’m keeping today’s post to use for any and all inspration/decoration project I should encounter in the future…tomorrow :)

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Thank you so much, how nice to find so much encouragement today!! :-)

      Reply
  18. tammy

    Thank you so much for compiling this list. I am definitely bookmarking this page so I can reference it quite often. I always struggle with decorating and consequently most of my walls are bare. :(

    Reply
  19. Ruth MacCarthaigh

    I have jsut spent the most lovely and relaxing half hour brousing you dite… thank you and well done :0)

    Reply
  20. Denise Vander Werf

    The Inspired Room is now a daily destination for me. :) A few months ago I turned a small spare bedroom into my mom cave. I don’t like that name so if you can think of a better one please share.
    Anyway, now my own mother wants me to do the same for her. Since discovering ‘The Inspired Room’ I will now have a bounty of inspiration for her room. Another project…yay!!!

    Reply
  21. Laurie

    Wow Melissa! This is such an amazing recap post. I’ve learned so much from you. You ROCK!

    Reply
    • Melissa

      Aw, Laurie YOU ROCK! ;-) Thank you.

      Reply
  22. Natalia

    Found you on tip junkie! Love your style, it is very inspirational! I am always looking for new ways to decorate, and I am not that good at it yet. Thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  23. (((((HUGS))))) sandi

    *THANK YOU!* for this!!!! I am trying, trying, and this is SO ENCOURAGING!!! Now I’m off to click through links… :)

    Reply
  24. Lakisha Chang

    Melissa, you should put all of these in a book! Found you on tip junkie! thanks! I really think these should be titles of chapters in your new book??!!!

    Reply
  25. ANA

    You are just the blog I was looking for, I need a trail of hooks for my entry space. I’d love to find one o those in a diamond pattern … Any idea where to look for it? Thanks a millon!!!

    Reply
  26. Karis

    I love your home pictures! They are so lovely. My husband and I are newlyweds and are still living the apartment life, but once we buy our own home I can’t wait to use some of your tips to make our home beautiful! Thanks!

    dearyouido.com

    Reply

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. How to Decorate Series {day 3}: Leaning, Layering & Stacking by The Inspired Room - [...] blog right now to write a book.  I highly recommend you check out her Best Of page as well…

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