10 Brilliant Ways to Transform Your Home Decor with Items You Already Own
Home decor doesn’t have to be expensive to look amazing. In fact, with a little creativity, you can transform your space without spending a dime! As an interior designer, I know everyone’s situation is different, so I’ve put together 10 free ways to refresh your home decor using items you likely already own. Decorating your home can be fun, and these tips will help you make it beautiful without breaking the bank.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
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1. Look into your garden
Look no further than your own garden! Take advantage of the natural beauty that surrounds you and incorporate plants, flowers, branches, and rocks into your home decor. Not only will it add a unique touch to your space, but it’s also eco-friendly. If you’d rather have something that lasts longer than a vase of cuttings, here are 8 indoor plants that are easy to maintain.
Don’t have a green thumb? No worries, just add a little water to the vase and you can enjoy your garden finds for a couple of weeks. So, get creative and see what hidden treasures you can find in your garden.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
2. Look in your linen closet
Take a peek inside your linen closet and discover a treasure trove of unused and overlooked towels that can be repurposed into stylish accents. Use colourful towels and tea towels to create new items such as place mats, cushion covers, tablecloths, and seat cushions. Even if you’re not skilled in sewing, you can still make DIY projects easy by using iron-on hemming strips. Give your space a fresh look without breaking the bank!
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
3. Rearrange furniture
This is a quick and easy way to make a big difference in your space. Think about the flow of the room, the focal wall, and the first thing you see when you enter the space. Move furniture around to improve the layout and make the most of the existing pieces. And if you shuffle everything three times and it still feels wrong, that’s usually the plan rather than the furniture — Fix My Floor Plan is the quick version of that answer, at $297 per room, with a marked-up plan sent back to you.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
4. Use leftover paint
Got leftover paint? Use it to create a feature wall or give a piece of furniture a new look. Be sure to test the colour and make sure you love it before committing to a large area — my guide to choosing the perfect colour selection for your home covers how to test properly.
5. Display nice dishes
Use nice dishes or glasses to decorate your kitchen and dining room. Simple white or off-white dishes look clean and go well with any style.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
6. Use any books
Use books with nice covers to decorate your space. Stack a few together as a stand when something needs to appear taller.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
7. Prints
Use any prints you own, print from your printer or create yourself to decorate your home. Frame them, pin them to a pinboard, or place them on wall shelves.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
8. Use food
Incorporating food into your decor can be a fun and seasonal way to add colour and texture to your space. Think of the colours that represent the season, such as pumpkin for autumn, chocolate for Christmas, and lemon and lime all year round. Use fruits and vegetables in woven baskets on a buffet or in an open kitchen/pantry. Look for inspiration and play with different combinations, such as pairing plants from your garden with autumn fruits and vegetables.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
9. Use candles
Candles are a great way to add warmth and ambience to any room. Use candles of different shapes and sizes to create a cohesive look.
Home Decor with Items You Already Own
10. Get creative with lighting
Use table lamps or floor lamps to add light and create a focal point in a room. You can also use string lights to create a cosy and warm atmosphere.
Bonus Tip: Break the rules
While it’s great to follow design principles such as grouping things in odd numbers (1, 3, 5 rule), don’t be afraid to break the rules and think outside the box. Sometimes, the unexpected can be the most interesting and unique aspect of your decor. Trust your instincts and have fun with your decorating.
Decorating your space can be both exciting and overwhelming, and it’s easy to get caught up in following strict rules and guidelines.
But let me tell you, the most important thing is that your space feels right to you.
After all, it’s your home and it should reflect your personal style and taste. So, take a deep breath, step back, and snap a picture of your decor once you’re done placing everything. This will help you gain a fresh perspective and identify what needs to be added or removed.
And don’t worry about sticking to the rules too rigidly, use them as a guide and feel free to modify them to make your space uniquely yours.
Remember, at the end of the day, it’s all about creating a space that makes you happy and comfortable. So, let’s get started on creating a living space that you’ll love!
Still not sure what’s right for your own place?
That’s the part I do — and there are two ways in, depending on how much you need sorted.
Fix My Floor Plan — $297 a room. Send me your floor plan and a few photos. I’ll tell you what I’d change: where the furniture goes, what’s making the room feel awkward, and the practical next steps to fix it. Back with you in 5–7 business days, and there’s not a single meeting involved.
Or a Design Consultation — $550. Ninety minutes on your whole space: layout, colours, materials, joinery, storage, or just a second opinion before you commit to something expensive. Online, wherever you are in the world.
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