10 Tips for Shopping Home Décor on a Budget

Is it really only Tuesday?  I’m ready for the weekend already because I have some exciting plans coming up.  We installed shiplap in our foyer a few weeks ago and it turned out amazing!  We are finally done painting and this weekend we get to go shopping to decorate it.  And like most people, I have a budget that I’m working with to decorate my foyer.

I love shopping!  And I’m a lucky gal, because my hubby loves to accompany me on my shopping adventures (I think he secretly loves it as much as I do, but will never admit it).  One of our favorite things to do is spend a Saturday browsing flea markets.  We’ve had some pretty amazing finds doing this.  However, as much as I love shopping, one thing I do not like about shopping is spending a ton of money.

Today we are going to talk about some ways you can shop for home decor on a budget.  So let’s dive right in and I’ll share my top 10 tips.

1. Shop the clearance section

Anytime I walk into a store, the first place I head is to the clearance isle.  I hate paying full price for anything.  Even groceries.  If it is not on sale, I will wait a week or two for it to eventually go on sale.  There are such high markups on retail.  And after shopping flea markets and thrift stores so much, I want to ask everyone if that’s their best price.

2. Buy off season and put away

An easy way to save is to buy items once the season is over.  I was in Hobby Lobby today and all of their Spring items were 80% off.  You better believe I snagged a few things to put away for next year.  When doing this, it’s best to stick to the more traditional items that you will love year after year.  You don’t want to buy something that’s trendy this year, but you may not love next year when it’s time to display it for the first time.

3. Buy second hand

Shopping thrift stores, flea markets and garage sales, even though time consuming, can save you tons of money if you are on a budget.  These are some of my favorite places to shop!  Not only because you can find amazing deals, but you find those one-of-a-kind items that you won’t find in retail stores.  I love vintage and primitive items and these are the kinds of places you can find them.

4. Repurpose or up-cycle

Remember that you don’t always need new decor, sometimes you just need new ways to style your decor. Think of ways you can repurpose or up-cycle what you already have. Maybe all it needs is a fresh coat of paint.  There are tons of ideas on Pinterest to help you get started.

5. Never buy a complete set

If you buy a complete set of something, you will most likely pay top dollar.  Try shopping for items individually and piece them together to make your set.  If they don’t match exactly, it just adds a little bit of character. Odds are you will pay less for each item than you would for a complete set.  I’ll show you a few examples…

I bought this table and chairs in 2 separate purchases and they were all different colors.  I paid $20 for the 2 matching chairs and $30 for the table and other chair.  So I was able to get a table and 3 chairs for $50, plus the cost of some spray paint.  If I had bought something similar to this in a complete set, it most likely would have cost me over $150!

Here is another example.

These dual wash tubs on a stand usually go for about $150-200.  That is, unless you buy each piece separately and piece it together yourself.  The tubs don’t fit perfectly on the stand, but they will work for a planter, which it what I am going to use them for.  We paid $50 total for this baby!

6. Buy a “fixer upper”

If you buy something in tip-top shape, you are going to pay tip-top dollar.  Look for items that may need a little TLC and you can get a much better deal on them.  Maybe it needs a fresh coat of paint or a little reinforcement.  Just like us, everything needs a little “fixing,” so it makes me happy to find something that isn’t perfect, but with a little work, it will look amazing.  My love for giving new life to an old piece of furniture is how I came up with my blog name, “Beauty For Ashes.”  As an added bonus, buying something that’s a fixer upper has so much more character than something new.  It just seems to give me a sense of pride to restore something that someone else may have thought was at the end of its days.

I scored this beautiful primitive cypress table for $10 because it is wobbly.  It just needs a little reinforcement and it’s going to make the perfect plant table on my patio.

7. Ask for a lower price

My husband is the best at this.  And he loves it!  It’s like a game for him to see how low he can get the seller to go.  For the most part, everyone is willing to drop their prices some.  Although, he encountered one seller that wouldn’t budge for his, “can you go just a little lower?”  She immediately responded with a resounding, “No!”  It was pretty funny.  But hey, even if they say no, it never hurts to ask.

8. Can you DIY?

Ask yourself, can I make this for a better price?  Many times, if you have the ability, and time, you can make certain things cheaper than you can buy it.  You just have to be willing to try.

9. Shop around

Don’t splurge on an item unless you absolutely can’t live without it and don’t think you will be able to find it anywhere else for a better price.  Keep this item on your list and shop around until you find it for a price you are willing to pay.

10. Be willing to walk away

Many times, when you start to walk away, the merchant will go a little lower on the price.  I have seen my hubby walk away numerous times as I stood there thinking that it was a good price, and really wanting the item, and the merchant says, “ok, I’ll do it.”  My hubby just smiles to me as we turn back and snatch it up.

I hope these tips help the next time you are out shopping for home decor.  I’d love to hear any additional tips that you have or some of the awesome scores you have made.  Drop a comment below and let’s chat. xo

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