How to Decorate by Shopping Your Own House

Give your home a fresh look without spending money! Use these smart tips to decorate by shopping your own house.

bowl of peaches in a blue and white checked bowl on a white kitchen counter

Contrary to what many think, you don’t have to run to the store to make your home feel new again. I believe that the best decorating inspiration is right under your very own roof.

There are many ways to get a designer look in your home on a budget, but shopping your own house is one of the most affordable and easiest ways to refresh your rooms. It’s amazing how using what you already have in a new way can completely change a space.

If you’ve ever stood in a room thinking it felt tired but didn’t want to spend a dime, these simple ideas will help you see your home with fresh eyes.

Start With a Clean Slate

Before you get started, remove small accessories, art and even rugs if you can. This will help you truly see the architecture of the space and create a blank canvas. Sometimes just clearing off surfaces and floors can make an instant difference in a room.

empty living room with beige walls and off white carpeting

Once you’ve cleared things out, resist the urge to put it all back at once. Start fresh and add back only what you love.

Move Furniture Around

Updating the placement of your furniture can change the flow of a room. Angle chairs in a corner, float a sofa away from a wall, or even swap different pieces of furniture between rooms.

tropical floral print armchair sitting in front of a white entertainment center and pine console table

If you’ve ever wondered how to pull your furniture together visually, check out my guide on how to avoid furniture layout mistakes in your living room. It’s amazing what a difference the right layout can make!

Swap Accessories Between Rooms

This is where the real fun of shopping your house begins. Walk through each room with a basket and gather things that you can use elsewhere. You can use lamps, vases, trays, art and even smaller furniture.

coral tulips in a blue and white container on a small wood table beside a colorful traditional arm chair for spring

SMART TIP: Find a spot in your home to create a home decor capsule. Think of it as a decorating wardrobe capsule filled with timeless home decor staples.

For instance, that extra lamp in the bedroom could brighten up your entryway, or a mirror in your hallway could become the focal point above your mantel.

Layer In Textiles

Throw blankets and pillows are like the jewelry of a room. Move them around between spaces to instantly change a room’s color palette.

COLORful pattern arm chair in front of a white entertainment center

I like to think of throw blankets and pillows as the jewelry of a room. Move them around between spaces to change the color palette of a room. A bedroom throw can become a living room or even double as a casual table runner in the dining room.

Repurpose Everyday Items

Looking at what you already own in a new way is a great budget decorating idea.

A pretty tray can become a piece of artwork when stood on its side.

A cutting board is more than just for chopping vegetables when you use it as a base for a kitchen vignette. A basket can hold towels in a guest bath. Even a simple stack of pretty books adds instant charm to any side table.

Edit and Simplify

When you are shopping your home, you are likely to uncover things you no longer love. Take this chance to pare down. Organize those closets, then donate or give the item to someone else who might love it in their home.

natural wood console table decorated with buffet lamps and chinoiserie accessories

When you have fewer pieces to display, you can be more intentional and the space will look more clean and inviting.

For example, when I gave my breakfast room a makeover, I removed several small accessories and focused on few pieces that added more impact.

Add in a Few Budget-Friendly Touches

If you feel your room still needs a little something, small budget-friendly purchases can make a big difference. Think affordable pillow covers, greenery, a new lampshade, or fresh candles.

bright floral and blue and white check pillows on a bench

Check out my Weekly Favorites page where I continuously update it with roundups of favorite decorating items. I always include accents from multiple retailers where you can find items to work beautifully with what you already have.

Step Back and Assess

When you feel like your room is finished, take a photo of the room on your phone and review it. Sometimes, seeing it in a picture highlights what still feels off-balance. Adjust as needed until it feels right.

Refreshing your home doesn’t have to mean spending money. By shopping your own house, you’ll learn to see your decor in a new light and create a home that feels updated and personal without ever leaving your front door.

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