16 Ways to Save Money on Home Decor but Still Get a New Look in 2025

If you’re looking to create a new you in the new year, don’t forget about your home. A clean, bright living space can help you to have the energy you need to tackle all your New Year’s goals and tasks.

If you’d love to update your home but the thought of the cost has you starting to sweat, don’t worry. There are a myriad of ways to update your home’s look without tapping into home equity or going into debt.

These 16 ideas will help you get a new look without spending too much money in the process.

With so many people taking their furniture refinishing skills to TikTok and Instagram, it’s easy to get inspo (and tips) on how to update your existing furniture. 

Not only can a coat of paint or a new stain transform your dresser or coffee table, but it can also give you a new focal point for your room.

And when you consider that a new coffee table can run you between $200-1,800, you could be looking at some serious savings if you’re only springing for paint or stain.

As far as exterior updates, painting your front door has been statistically proven to give you the most bang for your buck as far as renovations go. The cost of a gallon of paint can vary, but you can expect to spend around $50, plus the cost of any painting supplies.

As an added bonus, this update not only spruces up your home’s curb appeal, but also increases its value as well!

Annual flowers like pansies, begonias, petunias, and alyssum can add a quick pop of color and visual interest to your yard. These are commonly sold in four-packs for only a few dollars each.

If you act early enough in the season, you may also be able to plant flowers from seed, which is an even cheaper way to spruce up your home and surroundings.

The 2025 colors of the year are in: Rich earth tones like deep violet, truffle brown, and cinnamon slate top this year’s favorites.

Choosing to add an accent wall instead rather than painting your entire home to match this year’s trends will not only save you time, it will also save you money because you’ll be able to use less paint.

Plus, with these dominant hues, a single surface is enough to give your home a new look without overwhelming it with color.

Nothing says dated like rusted, old fixtures. Updating 90s brass fixtures to silver or chrome ones will have a surprising impact on your home — especially in the kitchen or bathroom where there are a lot of faucets and lights to work with.

Handles and doorknobs can do a surprising amount to modernize cabinets, doors, and drawers. 

The most economical way to purchase new hardware is in multipacks rather than individually, but if you’re looking to make a big difference on a budget, you may even consider hitting up some secondhand shops and going for a mix-and-match look.

You can really brighten your space by adding a lamp or a wall sconce. The additional light makes rooms look bigger and more inviting, and they don’t typically cost a whole lot to purchase, especially if you keep an eye out for sales.

Another way to add the illusion of light and space to a room is by adding a mirror. It tricks the eye by visually extending the length of the room and reflecting any natural light coming in. You can even choose a mirror with a decorative frame for extra punch.

Sometimes you don’t need to add anything new to make a difference. Just moving around the pieces you already have is enough to give the room a new vibe.

Always consider the function and flow of the room so people can maneuver around the furniture naturally. Hint: Place the larger pieces first to ensure balance.

Less really is more. If your space has too much stuff, pare it down so it’s not visually overwhelming. This will allow the eye to focus on the elements you keep rather than becoming distracted by too many objects.

Can’t afford new furniture? You can give your living room a whole new look by purchasing a couch cover instead.

If you’re considering a new style, this is a great way to try something a little more bold or funky than you’re used to without committing to an entire look.

This is especially helpful when hunting for seasonal decor. The best time to buy Christmas throw pillows, floral spring pieces, or Halloween tchotchkes is just after the season ends.

You’ll likely snag a great bargain if you’re willing to keep the items in boxes for several months before using them.

Vintage elements are very chic these days, and there’s no better place to find them than at your local thrift store. Many times you can find picture frames, vases, ceramics, and other home decor pieces to update with a fresh coat of paint.

If your home design necessitates a few new purchases, determine how much you can spend before you go shopping. It’s easy to succumb to the temptation of the metaphorical and literal shiny objects you find without determining where they will reside in your home or whether you can afford them.

When you do purchase home decor items, stay away from stand-out trends — remember the chevron wall craze and when we wrote “Live, Laugh, Love” in vinyl on everything? — focus your efforts and your dollars on classic pieces that will stand the test of time.

Aside from furniture, home decor doesn’t get much wear and tear, so it makes sense to buy used decorations whenever possible. Dust off the pictures, ceramics, and bookshelves, and they’re as good as new — even if they’ve lived at someone else’s house for a while.

You won’t need to find a side hustle to fund the new updates in your home. There are dozens of projects you can do for very cheap or even free that can give your house a new vibe.

It might take a little creative, out-of-the-box thinking, but you can often use the furniture and decor you already have to change things up. 

You might need a few fixtures and a little paint, but with a few small purchases, your home can look completely new and different.