Vintage books can serve as a beautiful and classic decoration for your home. They fit into a variety of decor styles, from coastal to French country to farmhouse. Whether you leave them the way they are and display them on bookshelves, or repurpose them into something else entirely, there are many ways to decorate your space with old books.
Finding Vintage and Old-Looking Books
Set a budget. Vintage books can be expensive. Determine how much you want to spend and how you want to use the books you’re buying. If you’re going to deconstruct them, it’s better to buy cheap hardcovers than to spend more on authentic vintage books.
Search flea markets and thrift stores. Visit flea markets and thrift stores in your area to look for old books with cloth or leather covers. Search for thrift stores in nicer parts of town since these will typically have more vintage items. To find shops, type "thrift stores near me" into your favorite search engine.
While browsing the store, look for books that appear to be a matching set, or just find random ones to create a more eclectic look.
Browse eBay for old books. Auction sites like eBay are a good place to find old books that people want to get rid of. Try searching with the phrase “vintage books” or “set of old books” to find books that are decor-worthy. Verify that the seller will take care to ship them to you in waterproof packaging.
Remove dust jackets from hardcover books. Most books will instantly look older and more classic if you remove the dust jacket. If you don’t want to spend the money on vintage books, visit a used to bookstore to find cheap hardcover books. Check behind the dust jacket before you leave the store just to be sure you like the appearance and color of the book underneath.
Use books you already own. If you have any hardcover books at home, check under the dust jacket to see if you like the way the cloth cover looks. Even if you only have paperbacks, you can still remove the cover and use the bound or unbound pages to decorate your home.
Age new books by soaking them in coffee. If you want the aged book look without spending any money, find a book you don’t mind deconstructing. Remove the cover and soak the pages in a bowl or bucket of brewed coffee for a couple hours. Hang the book to dry in the sun, then display it once it’s dry.
Placing Books around Your Home
Stack books vertically and horizontally. Books don’t all have to be lined up horizontally along a shelf. Create a vertical stack of two or three books and place it beside your lined up books to create some variation along the shelf.
The vertical stacks can also serve as bookends to hold the others upright.
Use books as risers on tables. Place a small stack of two or three books on a side table or coffee table. Then put a lamp, small clock, or candlestick on top of the books. Change how many books are in the stack until you find the level you like best.
Find large books to use as coffee table books. Look for large books like old atlases, almanacs, or textbooks and place these on tables as coffee table books. Put them on a large tray with a vase of flowers and an interesting object, like a vintage magnifying glass or compass.
Pair books with the same color scheme. Stack or line up books that create a cohesive color scheme. For example, gather books that are varying shades of blue, or choose different browns for a neutral look. Or remove the covers to get all your books to have the same white or cream-colored spine.
Change the color of books with paint or burlap. If you want all your books to match each other or your decor, brush the covers lightly with paint and then hang them up to dry. Or wrap them with burlap or wallpaper and glue the material to the inside of the cover.
Match books to the theme of the room. Find vintage children's books to decorate a nursery, or place old gardening books in a sun room with lots of plants. If you have a room with a nautical theme, search for old seafaring books or vintage copies of Moby Dick or The Tempest.
Bundle old pages with twine. Whether you have a book that’s falling apart, or you just want one to look like it is, remove the book’s cover. You can separate the pages completely, or leave them with the spine intact. Wrap some twine around it and display this little vintage package on a bookshelf, table, or windowsill.
Tie the twine in a bow and add a dried flower on top for a more feminine decor style.
Repurposing Vintage Books
Attach books to the wall to use as shelves. Drill a couple small holes near the edge of one flap of your book, and buy L-brackets to attach the book to the wall as a shelf. Then place light objects on it like bud vases or small picture frames.
Stack books to become a table. If you have a lot of old books, stack them into a column beside a couch or armchair to use as a side table. To make it sturdy, place the larger, heavier books at the bottom and work your way up to the lighter, smaller ones.
If you don’t plan to reuse them or read them later, you can glue the covers together to add more stability.
Cut a hole in a book to make a planter. Hollow out a book by gluing the pages together, drilling a hole in each corner and using a box cutter to cut the center of the pages out. Pop a shallow plastic container inside to hold a plant, then place your book planter in a windowsill.
Frame books on the wall. Hang an old paperback book on the wall by piercing the back several pages and back cover with thumbtacks. Surround the book with an oversized vintage-looking frame that has the glass removed. Group several of these framed books on the same wall for a bigger statement.
Make a book wreath. Tear pages out of an old book and roll each one into a cone, gluing the edge so it will maintain this shape. Then glue each cone to a styrofoam wreath mold, working your way back to front. Hang the wreath on any wall where you want some literary flair.
For a more elaborate wreath, you can roll the pages into other shapes, like rosettes.
Use pages as wallpaper. Get an extra copy of a book you love and remove all the pages to use as wallpaper. Hold each page where you want it to go on the wall and paint over it with a craft glue like Mod Podge. Cover the entire wall, or just a select area over your desk or bed
Giving your bedroom a makeover is the perfect way to express your creativity and help you feel happy and relaxed in your own space. Start by updating your walls with a new paint job or colorful prints, then revamp your bed with matching blankets and throw pillows. Bring your furniture into play with bright accessories and organization tools to make your room the perfect reflection of you!
Part 1 Decorating the Walls and Floor.
1. Choose a style and color scheme. For a room that looks cohesive and cool, it’s best to decide on a color scheme and a general style before you start decorating. Choose a color palette that you love, but make sure you won’t get sick of it easily. Also, keep in mind that while your bedroom should be fun and exciting, it should also be conducive to a good night’s sleep. You can find inspiration online, using sites like Pinterest, by reading design magazines, from visiting home goods or furniture stores, or even watching design shows.
Soft, pastel wall colors paired with a brighter floral bedspread and decorations make a room that’s feminine, but not overpowering.
Dark purples and blues coupled with white or cream walls give a gentle, relaxed vibe.
Opt for a sophisticated space with black, white, and gray coloring, plus pops of pink, purple, or blue.
For a bright, tropical look, blend bright pinks and deep oranges with your walls, bedspread, and furniture.
2. Repaint your room to totally change the style. To really transform your space, a new paint job is the way to go. Tell your parents what you envision and talk about some color options. Go with them to buy the paint and offer to help with the painting as well to show your dedication to your project.
Be careful when choosing colors! Although bright shades look great on a paint swatch, they can be overwhelming on your walls. Opt for a more subdued hue to bring a sense of calm to the space. For instance, choose navy blue instead of cobalt blue for a peaceful, warm, color.
If you do decide to go with a bright wall color, balance it out with lighter-colored furniture and blankets. You could use accents of bright color with colorful pillows, blankets, or rugs, or paint just the wall behind your bed a bright hue for an accent wall.
If you can’t repaint your room, don’t worry! You can still decorate it to match your style with wall decorations, blankets, and revamped furniture.
3. Hang a print, decal, or poster on the wall to perk up your room. Even freshly-painted walls can use some extra decorations. Look for adhesive wall decals, framed prints, or posters of your favorite movie or band to brighten up blank corners of your room.
Decals come in many different shapes and patterns. Look for ones with colors and styles that will play off of your wall color and bedspread. You can get decals at home stores or online, especially at craft-focused retailers like Etsy.
Don’t go overboard with your decals—any more than 2 in a small space can look overdone. Stick with 1 large decal, or 2 smaller ones placed separately.
To make a poster look more stylish, put it in a frame or hang it with wire instead of simply taping or tacking it to the wall.
4. Hang up photos or a bulletin board to personalize your wall space. Frame and hang a few of your favorite photos of your friends and family for a homey touch. For even more wall space to decorate, buy a bulletin board and tack up photos, drawings, and mementos.
You can also use a small, magnetic chalkboard or whiteboard to hang photos and scribble notes and thoughts. Or, paint a whole wall or part of a wall with magnetic chalkboard paint. You’ll be able to write messages and put up photos or posters without damaging the wall.
If you don’t like the tan, cork-like look of a regular bulletin board, customize it by spreading a length of colorful fabric over it and taping or stapling the ends to the back.
Decorate the edges of your photo frames with stickers and paint for a look that’s even more you.
5. Get a soft rug and throw pillows to make a lounge space in the corner. Most teen rooms are too small for a couch or comfy armchair. Luckily, you can make your own lounge area in an empty corner by stacking a few big throw pillows on top of a soft rug.
If you have a little extra space, add a small beanbag or a backrest pillow with arms.
To create a cozy reading nook, put a floor pouf and a few cozy pillows in a corner. Add a floor lamp to brighten the space.
6. Add a mirror to make your room look bigger. Hanging a full- or half-length mirror in your room makes it easy to choose a great outfit every morning. As a bonus, a mirror can also make your room look more spacious.
Add a small mirror in another area to check makeup and open up the room even more. Make sure to situate it so that your mirrors don’t reflect each other.
You can put a mirror on the back of your bedroom door, on your closet door, or even above your bed.
7. Hang up string lights to add a soft glow to your room. Ask your parents if they have any extra white string lights and use them to decorate a plain wall or add soft illumination to your room. You can make a design out of the lights or simply string them across a wall with tape and push-pins.
Weave the lights through your headboard to create a soft reading light, or string them around the top perimeter of your room.
8. Hang a lighted mirror garland to add sparkle to a plain wall. To make a lighted mirror garland, drape 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) of mirror garland thickly over a curtain rod that’s 4–5 feet (1.2–1.5 m) long, so that the they hang down towards the floor. Install hooks in your wall and set the rod in them for a flashy, unique wall decoration.
Set your garland next to a window to make it glow. For all-day sparkle, drape 6–7 feet (1.8–2.1 m) of string lights among the garlands.
Ask your parents to help you install the hooks. They should be wide enough to be able to set the pole in comfortably, and will need to be screwed into the wall.
You can buy mirror garlands online or at craft stores.
9. Install hanging shelves to add storage options for a small room. If you’re running out of desk or closet space for pictures, knick-knacks, or books, ask your parents to help you install hanging shelves on your wall. This is a great way to decorate your walls while organizing clutter.
You can buy hanging shelves at a furniture store or make your own with the help of your parents for a fun home improvement project.
As an alternative to a nightstand, place the shelves on either side of your bed.
Part 2 Sprucing up the Bed.
1. Choose a comforter that won’t overwhelm your room. Your bed comforter or duvet is the center of your room, so picking the right color or pattern can make a huge difference! Check home stores, online retailers, and catalogues for one that matches your room’s style and color scheme.
For a luxurious feel, choose a fluffy comforter and layer a throw blanket or 2 on top of the comforter at the foot of your bed. Add a row of throw pillows for a cozy feel.
If your walls are bright or you’re planning on going all-in with colorful furniture, you could try a more subdued pastel or white comforter.
If your walls are white or light-colored, feel free to go for a comforter or duvet that’s brighter or patterned to add a burst of color to the center of your room.
If you can’t get a new comforter or are looking to save money, you can revamp your bed with a few pretty blankets, or even sew a comforter yourself.
2. Move your bed to change your room set-up. Turning your bed the other way or moving it to the opposite side of the room can really freshen up your space. Talk to your parents about scooting your bed against a different wall, or turning it so that it sticks into the middle of the room instead of sitting against a wall.
When deciding where to place your bed, try to put the head against a wall with no pipes running through it, near enough to your window for natural light.
If you’re worried about putting your bed too close to the window, put up some drapes to block out the sun on mornings when you want to snooze a little later.
To create a daybed feel, position one of the long sides of your bed against a wall and line that side with pillows. You can easily relax or study there, then simply move the pillows when you’re ready for bed.
3. Toss fun throw pillows on your bed for a burst of color. Look for pillows that are pretty and comfortable, that match your comforter and walls. Scatter 3-4 of them across your bed for a casual look, or stack them neatly for a style that’s more sophisticated.
Look for pillows in various shapes and sizes that match your room decor.
4. Place an end table at the foot of your bed for more storage space. A storage bench at the end of your bed is a stylish way to store clutter and add an extra, comfy seat to your room. Look for a bench to match your comforter at home stores and online.
For even more storage space, grab some colorful bins at a home store and stash them (and your clutter) under the bed.
5. Try a mounted headboard for a cleaner look that takes up less space. A headboard can push your bed a foot (0.3 m) or more away from the wall, which is a lot of space in a small room. Talk to your parents about getting rid of your headboard, or mounting one on the wall behind the bed to save space and look neater.
As an alternative to a headboard, hang up a wall tapestry or decorative scarf on the wall behind your bed.
6. Hang a blanket over your bed for a relaxed, boho canopy. If you feel too old for the full princess canopy, try lightly draping a thin, patterned blanket above your bed. String it from the ceiling and let it dangle 2–3 inches (5.1–7.6 cm) from your pillows for an airy feel.
Part 3 Dressing up Your Furniture.
1. Use a small table as a desk and dress it up with colorful containers. If you don’t already have a desk, look for a small table that will save space and look light and easy in your room. Fit it into your color scheme with colorful accessories like a desk lamp, a pencil cup, bookends, and a digital clock.
Try not to clutter your desk space up with too many knick-knacks, especially if this is a space you’ll use to do homework. All those small items will distract you from your studying.
2. Set out a small, pretty trash can to quickly dispose of clutter. Buy a small trash can online or from a home store, looking for one that matches your overall decor. Place it in the corner of your room for a quick, convenient way to throw away scraps of paper, tags from clothing, or any other bits of waste you have in your room.
If you don’t have much trash, you could use a container you already have around the house, like a basket, as a creative trash can substitute.
Remember to take out your trash at least once a week to keep clutter from piling up.
Don’t use your small trash can to throw away food or anything else that could decompose. This could make your room smell and even attract bugs.
3. Organize your makeup on a magnet board. Buy a magnet board and glue thin fabric over it to match your color scheme. Then, hot glue small, round, strong magnets onto the back of each of your eyeshadow, blush, and bronzer containers. Stick them onto the board to make a cute makeup organizer.
To organize your brushes and liners, glue a few magnets onto an old, small plastic cup. Store your mascara, brushes, and liners inside and stick them on the board.
4. Turn over a colorful trash can to make a simple night stand. If you want to revamp your bedside table, buy a cheap, colorful trash can online or at a large general store. Flip it upside down and set it by your bed for a small, cute table!
Look for a trash can with artful designs or a pretty pattern that will blend nicely with your bedspread and walls. Or, find a plain trash can, turn it upside down, and spray paint it the color you want. Try a glittery gold paint for a fun and bold option.
5. Decoupage dresser drawers with fabric for a splash of color. Cut a sheet of matching fabric to fit your dresser drawer, then wash it and dry it. Brush Mod Podge over the fabric and the dresser drawer and press the fabric onto the drawer one section at a time, smoothing it down with a straight edge as you go.
If you’re using a thin, cotton fabric, paint your dresser drawers white first. Mod Podge makes thin fabrics somewhat see-through, allowing dark colors to bleed through.
To get the process down, try practicing on a small piece of wood first.
6. Paint an old filing cabinet for modern storage space. Ask your parents if they have an old filing cabinet they don’t need anymore and transform it into a unique storage space! Lightly sand the cabinet with some sandpaper, then clean the cabinet and apply 3-4 coats of paint with a roller.
Paint the cabinet with chalk paint and label the contents of each drawer with chalk for extra organization. Or, pick a bright color like neon pink or yellow for a mod vibe.
To clean the cabinet, simply run a wet cloth over it to catch any dust and grime. Let it dry before you paint.
7. Spray paint the bases of your lamps in fun, matching colors. To update an old-fashioned looking lamp, pick up some cans of bright spray paint. Bring your lamp outside, set it on some newspaper, and spray paint it evenly on every side.
Let the lamp dry outside or in the garage for as long as instructed on the spray paint can.
Make sure to remove the lampshade before you spray paint.
8. Create a fashionable dressing area by dressing up a tailor’s mannequin. Pick up a female dress form mannequin at a craft store or order one online. Dress it in a pretty dress and place it in a corner of your room near a mirror or vanity to create a classy “dressing area.”
Go for a dress form rather than a full-body mannequin to save space and give your dressing area a sophisticated, classic look.
Use the dress form to express your creativity. Try switching out the dress form’s outfit based on the season, or put a dress on it to get you excited for an upcoming dance.
If you're tired of the way your bedroom looks but you're on a budget, don't worry, there are plenty of things you can do cheaply to improve your decor. Even just organizing and moving stuff around can make a big difference, as can adding color to your walls. You can also update your furniture and other items around your room so they look new or find fun or vintage knickknacks to add whimsy.
Method 1 Organizing and Redesigning.
1. Clean up your room to make it easier to redecorate. If you have clutter everywhere, just putting it away will make a huge difference. Organize what's on top of your nightstand, desk, or other flat surfaces, and find a place for everything on the floor. Put what you can up in drawers to get it out of the way and use organizers to make what's left look neat. Make sure everything has its own designated spot to go, and then take 5 minutes each day to put your things away.
While some items, like jewelry odds and ends, look pretty displayed, others, like charging cords, should be hidden away when not in use.
2. Move your bed to shake up the room. Your bed is typically a big piece in your room, so moving it can make a big impact. If your bed is off to one side, try putting it in the center of the wall, or vice versa. Then, when you add new linens and decorations, it will really stand out and make your room feel cheerful and comfortable.
3. Donate furniture to free up space. If your room is feeling a little cramped, take a hard look at what you have. Decide what you actually need in your room to make it the perfect space and get rid of anything that's just a landing space for clutter.
For example, if you have a chair in the corner that just ends up being a spot where you toss half-worn clothes, it's time to get rid of it!
Similarly, if you don't use your desk much, maybe you should get rid of it and free up space for a comfy reading nook. It's your bedroom, so decide what you want in your mini oasis!
4. Use furniture in unexpected ways. Try your bookcase out as a headboard at the top of your bed, for instance. Make your desk double as a nightstand, and turn your nightstand into a display area for your favorite collectibles. Keep moving things around to figure out the configuration you like best!
Get creative! You don't have to use things for their "intended" function.
5. Rearrange your artwork for a different feel. You don't have to add new artwork to your room to give it a different feel. Simply try new arrangements! For instance, group it all together on wall to make a bold statement. Alternatively, arrange a large piece behind your bed and then use smaller pieces on the opposite wall to balance it out.
Play around and try different things. You never know what will catch your attention.
6. Pick a color theme to create a cohesive look. Limiting the colors you use will help your room feel "decorated," not just thrown together. Opt for just a couple of bright or bold colors, and then you can even out the rest of the room with neutrals.
For instance, try complementary colors, like purple and yellow, red and green, or blue and orange. Alternatively, try analogous colors, colors that are nearby on the color wheel, such as pink, red, and orange, or purple, blue-purple, and blue. Then use grey, tan, white, black, or other neutrals as your background.
You could also just opt for the primary colors, red, blue, and yellow, for a very bright effect.
Method 2 Adding Color to the Walls.
1. Hang up a colorful quilt, sheet, or blanket on 1 wall. Many quilts and sheets have pretty patterns that can make a colorful statement. Try centering one behind your bed to create a focal point for your room, for instance.
You can nail or pin up the fabric if you don't mind putting a few holes in it. You can also safety pin it around a curtain rod, then hang the rod from hooks.
2. Paint a single wall or even a single stripe for a cheap option. If you can't afford much paint, don't worry. Try painting an accent wall, for instance. You can even just paint a large stripe down the wall behind your bed as a focal point. These options don't take much paint, but they can make a big difference to your room.
Make sure to use painter's tape to block off the area you want to paint. That way, you won't go out of the boundaries you set.
Buy paint on sale or that's been mixed wrong if you want to paint the whole room. If the store doesn't mix the color right, it has to do it again. The "mistake" paint is usually then put on discount. You can find a variety of colors, but you have to go with an open mind, as you'll have fewer options. You can also look for paint sales, which often happen around holidays, particularly during the summer.
3. Use stencils or paint a mural. Pick up a set of stencils, and use them to create a design on part of your wall. For instance, you could create a large floral arrangement, a funky collection of animals, or a series of feathers. Sketch the design out in pencil first to be sure you like it! You could also use acrylic paints to draw something fun on one wall or in one corner.
Alternatively, try adding a series of shapes up a wall in 1 or 2 colors, such as hearts or diamonds.
4. Create your own abstract art on foam board. You can pick up poster-sized foam board from the dollar store or another cheap store. Then, create your own art! Add blocks of color across the board at a diagonal, paint stripes, or simply let your imagination guide you! Once you're done, hang it on the wall with double-sided tape or adhesive strips.
Another option is try concentric circles or squares or paint your own sunset.
5. Frame small prints and make a collage on your wall. Prints are usually fairly cheap, so you can get small ones from local artists. Then, purchase cheap frames at a dollar store. Group them together on your wall, and it will work like a much larger piece of art.
Try to put pieces together that have similar themes, moods, or colors.
Another option is frame cheap pieces of scrapbook paper from the craft store. These pages cost less than a dollar and come in all kinds of colors and patterns!
6. Cover all or part of a wall in paper. Buy pretty scrapbook paper or tear up a used book that's seen better days. Then, you can either use double-sided tape or a cornstarch paste to adhere the paper to the wall. You can cover a large area with book pages. Both of these fixes are temporary, so you can take them down and redo them when you want!
Method 3 Making Old Items Look New.
1. Cover your lampshades with new fabric. Choose a thin, light-colored fabric so you still get some light through it. Measure out the fabric and wrap it around the lamp. Use sewing glue to hold it in place, and tuck the edges under to form "seams."
Cut the extra fabric off at the top and bottom and glue it over the edge on the inside.
2. Change up your throw pillows with new fabric. If you have throw pillows on your bed or chair, simply adding new covers can make a huge difference to the way your room looks. Measure the pillow and cut 2 pieces of fabric with an extra 1 inch (2.5 cm) on each side. Turn the fabric inside out and match up the edges. Sew along 3 sides and turn the pillow cover right-side out. Stuff your pillow inside the cover, and then sew a slip stitch along the final edge.
Look for clearance fabric at the craft store. You'll find odds and ends of fabric for less.
You can also use cheap sheets from the thrift store to recover pillows.
To sew a slip stitch, fold the edges of the seam over like the ones on the other sides of the pillow. Tie a knot in your thread and pull your needle through the inside edge of one side of the seam, starting in one corner. Run it through the inside edge on the other side of the seam. Keep going back and forth all along the seam to sew it up, knotting it at the end to hold it in place. Tuck the knot inside the pillow.
3. Get new bedding to transform the look of your bed. Your bed is the center of your room, so when you change it up, you change the whole feel. Try changing out your sheets and comforter/duvet for a whole new look for your room!
Bedding can be reasonable if you shop smartly at big box stores or online. You can even find it at thrift stores, but make sure to wash it in hot water before you use it!
4. Update your furniture with paint or new hardware. When painting, unscrew the handles and take out any drawers. Fill in any holes or scratches with wood putty, and then sand the surface down with 150-grit sandpaper so it accepts paint. Use a paintbrush to apply your new paint; opt for indoor acrylic paint or latex paint. You may need to apply more than one coat for an even finish.
For a smoother surface, apply primer first.
Always work in a ventilated area.
You can even try spray painting your furniture! When spray painting, make sure to hold the can at least 6 inches (15 cm) from the work surface and keep it continually moving to get an even coat.
You can also buy new handles for your dressers and other furniture. The hardware store sells these pretty cheaply, or you can look online.
5. Update old lamps with spray paint. Pick a spray paint that's meant for the material of the lamps, such as one meant for metal if they're brass. Take the lamp apart, and then use the spray paint to add a new color to the lamp! Put the lamp back together when you're done.
This works best for standard table lamps with a lampshade. Make sure to take the lampshade off.
Always spray in a well-ventilated area, holding the spray paint at least 6 inches (15 cm) from the surface. Keep moving the can when spraying to get an even coat. You may need to do multiple coats.
For a smoother finish, try wet sanding the paint with a very fine grit wet sandpaper once the paint is dry.
Method 4 Adding Fun Decor.
1. Pop a new, small rug on the floor to update the look. Whether you have worn-out carpet or hardwood floors, you can make them look new with a rug on top. Rugs can get expensive, so try going to a discount store and opting for a small rug. Even a tiny one can jazz up your floor!
Place it along one side of your bed so it acts as a floor mat or throw it in the center of the room to add pizzazz to a larger area.
2. Put a throw over the end of your bed for a pop of color. Throw blankets are fairly cheap. You can even get small, fleece ones for $5 USD or so in the winter. Pick a color that goes with your theme, and then use the blanket to add some of that color to your space!
If you have yarn around, you could also learn to crochet or knit, and then make yourself a small blanket.
Alternatively, buy a piece of fleece fabric from a craft store. It doesn't unravel at the edges, so if you cut it evenly, you can just fold it to create a splash of color at the foot of your bed.
3. Hit thrift stores and vintage stores for fun knickknacks. You can find fun and funky items to add pops of color to your space. Look for items that fit the theme you're going for, either in color, shape, or style. Also, try re-purposing containers and using them in new and unexpected ways!
For instance, use a vintage teacup to hold your bracelets or find a fun tray to gather all your odds and ends.
If you're going for a cat theme, look for fun knickknacks with cats on them!
Garage and yard sales are also a good source of vintage knickknacks.
4. Ask your relatives if they want to part with any of their decor. Sometimes, people are just getting tired of what they have around the house, and they may be willing to give it to you! Of course, be polite when asking and graciously accept what they give you.
You could put a call out on a social media for any knickknacks people are getting rid of, such as "I'm looking to redecorate my bedroom! Is anyone getting rid of knickknacks or decorations in their household?"
You could also check your attack or storage areas in your home to see if you have anything you can repurpose.
5. Create a shelf or a tray out of a cheap springform pan. You can likely find one of these at the dollar store. Turn it on its side and hang it on the wall. Put something small inside like a succulent for a cute little display!
You can even spray paint it for some more pizzazz or add a small string of battery-powered lights.
You can do something similar with other cheap baking trays. Spray paint a rectangular baking pan to use as a place to gather odds and ends on your dresser, for instance!
6. Put a few small plants in a sunny corner. Live plants really liven up a room, and they're fairly inexpensive. All you need is a container with a drainage hole in it, some soil, and the plant. Try some small succulents, small ferns, or ivy, for instance.
You can use many things as containers, including teacups, mugs, spray painted food cans, or small glass jars. Just be sure to drill some holes in the bottom for drainage.
Another option is to get a pretty vase and add some fake flowers. That way, you don't have to water them!
7. Scatter some cheap lighting around your room. If all you have is a harsh overhead light, add some lamps and wall lighting to make your room feel cozier. Even a cheap string of patio lights strung along the top of your headboard can add a romantic feeling to your room.
Also, try adding some small desk lamps in various places or a cheap kit that you attach to the wall, such as a colorful paper star lantern.
Question : What if my parents allow me to do some parts of this wikiHow project, but I can't buy new furniture?
Answer : You could skip the new furniture, and just rearrange your old furniture to make the room look different, or you could check rummage sales or thrift stores for cheaper items.
Question : What if my parents doesn't allow me to do this wiki project?
Answer : Ask them politely, but if they don't give permission, you can tell them the benefits from it.
Question : What if I like a certain theme (like Tim Burton), but the stores that I go to don't carry anything related to that?
Answer : In many instances, it's a whole lot easier to buy decor and memorabilia online. You can find specialty stores that will definitely carry items related to your chosen theme.
Question : What if the colors don't match my room?
Answer : Then find a unique way to decorate that describes you. Add pictures and trophies if the objects you have right now do not match well, find other things that will.
Question : I only have 15 dollars. How do I create a more grown-up room?
Answer : Try charity/goodwill shops. You might find some quality used items.
Question : I'm trying to have a color palette, but I have lots of books in all different colors on my shelves. What should I do?
Answer : You could organize the books on your shelves based on the colors of the rainbow (ROYGBIV). This color sequences is pleasing to most people and doesn't clash with any single color.
Question : I want to copy a room I found on YouTube, but the stores are really expensive. What can I do?
Answer : Improvise, and be creative. Paint is your cheapest and best decorating tool. Browse flea markets, consignments shops, thrift stores or online virtual yard sale sites for other items. Look for items similar to what you liked from the YouTube video. Overlook the color as you can paint anything.
Question : What if my parents don't allow me to do this?
Answer : See if you can get them to compromise. Come up with some non-permanent ways to change your room, like new light bulbs, putting up posters, moving furniture around, etc.
Question : How can I decorate if I don't have money?
Answer : Go to a thrift or second-hand store such as Goodwill and try and find items you like. You may also find things on wish.com and hollar.com which have great home decor at cheap prices, but you'll need a credit card to shop there.
Question : What can I do if my house is rented?
Answer : Just avoid using things like paint or making any holes in the wall. Other than that, you can still use these steps to decorate your room.
Tips.
If you live with your parents, get their permission before doing anything permanent!
Warnings.
Always paint in a well-ventilated area as the fumes can be harmful! Go outside or in the garage with the door open.
A well-designed room looks expensive even if it isn’t. Before you invest in decorative try to come up with a theme or scheme for the room. Once you have identified what you want your room to look like, search for economical pieces that look classy and expensive. If you’re not having much luck finding pieces in stores, you can make your own. The following steps provide some ideas and advice, get started at step number one below.
Designing a Room that Looks Expensive.
Choose a unifying theme. A well-coordinated room will look expensive even if the elements of the décor are cheap. Choose a theme that will tie together your room. This will help you look for inexpensive pieces while making it seem as though you have paid an interior decorator. Rooms that seem confused, cluttered, and mismatched have the look of cheap rather than luxury even if the pieces are lovely. For example:
A beach-themed room would have pictures of the ocean, shell decorations, and a blue-green palette.
A rustic, woodsy theme would have wood detailing, paintings of landscapes, and an earthy palette.
Industrial themes use repurposed items, steel accents, and sharp edges to give the room a more modern edge. Gray, brick red, and black are popular colors.
Minimalism is a popular and trendy design scheme where you use as few pieces as possible to decorate your room. Simple furniture and white or neutral colors will make the room look as though it could feature in a magazine, likes Home and Garden, but the style is inexpensive to recreate.
Focus on a neutral color palette. Stick with white or light neutral shades, such as brown or gray, for the base color. Your walls and larger furniture pieces should belong to this color scheme. For example, you might have beige walls with white doors and gray furniture. Your feature elements will stand out against neutral colors more, which will make them seem more prominent. Some neutral colors you can mix and match include:
Gray.
Slate Blue.
Taupe.
Soft yellow.
Off-white shades like ivory and cream.
Coffee brown.
Tan.
Beige.
Add accent pieces. Accent pieces are small decorative items that contrast with your neutral color scheme. They are usually either brightly colored or patterned. Accent pieces can be easily and cheaply be replaced if you ever change your style. Make sure all of your accent pieces are the same color for maximum effect. Some items you might consider for accents include:
Vases.
Pillows or cushions.
Blankets or throws.
Picture Frames.
Ottoman.
Tablecloths.
Flowers.
Figurines.
Striped, dotted, or chevron patterned objects.
Choose a focal point. A focal point is a piece of furniture, art, or object that is the primary decoration in the room. Having one grand piece will draw attention to it, making it seem important and pricey. A room in which there is no clear focus tends to feel cheap. [2] Some good focal points for a room include:
A large painting.
A unique table.
Two retro mod chairs.
A wall decal.
Full-length book shelves.
An ornate mirror.
Consider getting rid of dated details. To some, the key to making décor seem expensive is to follow modern trends. To help your room remain stylish and cool, you should reduce the dated elements of its décor. Some common out-of-style elements include:
Vertical window blinds.
Formica tables.
Clear plastic furniture.
Furniture painted to resemble marble or stone.
Broken or damaged items such as torn posters, cracked vases, or splintered wood.
Obviously, antiques can lend an expensive looking touch to any room, especially if it is an family piece you have inherited and haven't had to pay for. As long your antiques are in good condition and tie in with the rest of the room's dėcor, keep them. Don't ditch them just because they are old. It "is" possible to combine modern and antique pieces in a room.
Avoid clutter. Ironically, having less" clutter in a room makes the overall impression that of luxury. You do not want a room that is filled with furniture and decorative items and resembles a second hand shop. Limit how many decorative pieces display. This creates the impression that you spent more on a few, expensive items instead of buying many cheaper items. When placing your decorative items around the room, keep a little bit of space between each item.
Decorative shelves should ideally not be crammed with items. It's tempting to fill that space with stuff. Instead, only fill 1/2 to 3/4 of the space, leaving some empty space.
Keep your surfaces, such as coffee tables, counters, and TV stands mostly clear.
Choose only one or two items to place on these surfaces.
For example, you might keep a lamp on a side table with a single picture frame but nothing else.
If in doubt, remove. Try taking out a piece of furniture. See what happens if the coffee table is simply moved to the another room. Or see what happens if you remove throw pillows/cushions. You may find that less is more.
Finding Cheaper Alternatives.
Visit thrift stores. Thrift stores, charity shops, consignments, estate sales, and antique stores will often have old vintage or antiques items that are much cheaper than new. This is a great way to get inexpensive but quality items, such as wooden tables or embroidered chairs.
Old wooden furniture can always be repainted. If you find a piece that is chipped or faded, you can paint it to match your color palette.
You may find interesting and unusual items in these stores and shops. These will seem expensive because they are unique. For example, you might find a lunchbox from the 60s with old superheroes on it, or you might discover an antique milk pail that you can use for flowers.
Shop online. Websites like eBay, Craigslist, and Gumtree allow people to sell their old furniture and decorative items. Search through these sites to see if you can snag a deal. It may take a little while to find the perfect deal, but you may be able to score a truly expensive piece for very little money.
Search online for less expensive replicas. If there is a more expensive piece that you have your eye on, you might be able to find a cheaper replica online. Search for words that are associated with the original piece.
For example, you might type, “cheap crystal chandelier” to see what pops up.
Print out your own art. If you can’t afford originals of art, you can buy prints from the internet. If the artwork is in the public domain, you can even print out your own copy at a print shop, and frame it yourself. This is a great way to get quality reproductions of famous art pieces in your own home without paying a fortune.
When sending the work to the print shop, make sure you send an HD copy so that you get the best image possible.
You can also tear out images from an old calendar and frame them. This is a great way to reuse an old calendar, and the images are all professional quality.
Repurpose items. You might find interesting pieces that can be used for a different purpose than intended. These pieces can be a focal point for your room if you choose. Transform your old furniture, or keep an eye out for things that can become tables, wall hangings, or accent pieces. You might.
Use an old luggage trunk as a coffee table.
Hang antique dinner plates on the wall.
Drape an old quilt over a chair.
Frame vintage fashion magazines images.
Make shelves out of old wooden planks.
Position a TV on a painted crate.
Making Your Own Décor.
Assemble your own built-in bookcases. Floor-to-ceiling length bookshelves may seem expensive, but you can replicate the effect without purchasing high-end custom furniture. Measure your wall. Instead of building one giant bookcase, purchase four identical smaller bookcases that will fit in that space. Place two side by side for the base, and stack the other two on top. Be sure to bolt all four bookcases to the wall for stability.
Wallpaper the inside of your bookcase. An easy way to add a customized twist to an old bookcase is to wallpaper the back of the shelves. Find a wallpaper that matches your theme or color scheme. Cut the wallpaper to size of the backing of each shelf. Paste it on using wallpaper paste. Let it dry before you put items back on the shelves.
If you are using the bookcase to display decorative objects like vases or figurines, you might want to choose a solid color for the wallpaper, so that more attention is drawn to your collection.
If you are just using the shelves for books, you can choose a bold pattern, such as chevron stripes, polka dots, or a floral design. This will make the shelves an accent piece in their own right.
Paint your own tile backsplash. Small ceramic tiles are great for decorating the backsplash of kitchens or bathrooms, but decorated tiles are expensive. Plain white ceramic tiles, on the other hand, can be cheap. With a little time and effort, you can turn tiles into something stunning and extravagant.
Find a stencil of a design you like, such as a fleur-de-lis or a bird. Press the stencil down on the tile, and paint over the design. Let the tile dry, and you have an easy, beautiful tile. You can then adhere it to the wall using tile mastic.
Good places for painted tile backsplashes include underneath cabinets or above a countertop. Do not paint the tiles on your floor or along your shower or bath. Too much water damage can ruin the paint.
Use fake flowers instead of real. Fresh flowers are beautiful, but they can become costly. Instead, look for convincing fake flowers. Put together your own centerpiece, and arrange them in an inexpensive vase. You have an easy, reusable centerpiece.
Go for flowers that look as close to real as possible. You might even be able to find ones that also feel soft and natural. Your guests probably will not know the difference.
You can swap out flowers for each season and event, reusing the same flowers every year. Friends probably will not notice, but it will make it seem as though you are constantly updating your centerpiece.
Artificial flowers can easily become dusty. If so they do not look luxurious. Also, this can be problematic for allergy sufferers and asthmatics
Fill a vase to make a centerpiece. Vases are easy to find, and they can be relatively inexpensive. To help jazz up an empty vase, you can fill it with some small items. This will add a touch of character to your décor without costing a ton of money. Some things you can fill it with include:
Potpourri.
Shells.
Pieces of coral.
Marbles.
Buttons.
Sticks.
Wine corks.
Repaint frames. Nice picture frames can be expensive, but you can manage a high quality look without paying a lot of money. Find inexpensive picture frames at a dollar store, craft store, or thrift store. Paint the frames with a color or design that pleases you.
Gold and silver paint are easy to find if you want a more distinguished shade.
You can add words as you like such as “Sisters” or “Friends Forever.” This will make it seem personalized.
Painting designs on your frames gives them a unique look. You can paint stripes, dots, or other easy geometric shapes.
Tips.
The most important thing is that the room looks good to you. If you like the way the room looks, you do not have to worry so much if it appears expensive or not.
While you should invest in good furniture pieces, such as sofas and tables, you can go cheap on accessories, like pillows and artwork, without people noticing.
If you are making your own décor, you should choose projects that you know you can complete at your skill level.
Always measure your space before buying new décor or furniture to make sure that it will fit.
Try leaving a little bit of space between furniture and other objects to make the room seem larger than it is.
