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Have you ever flipped through a Country Living magazine and swooned over the homes insides, but thought the look was unattainable? I mean, how many of us actually live in an 1800s farmhouse? The homes that I love have the perfect amount of charm, coziness and character. It makes you want to jump into the pages and curl up with a book and a cup of coffee. I am here to share 9 tips on how to make your home cozy on a budget so that your house turns into the cozy home of your dreams.
The first thing I want to say is no house in a magazine actually looks like that in real life. No house you see on instagram looks like that in real life. People show what they think people want to see and most the time that is not clutter. But the reality is, when you are living in a space, there is going to be stuff! A bowl left out from breakfast or some hot wheels cars that were never cleaned up by your son. Give yourself grace and embrace the little life moments that are scattered throughout your home.
So, you’re wondering how to make your home cozy on a budget, right? To me, having a cozy home caters towards a more relaxed, simple and forgiving design style which means we’ve already got a leg up. It’s the mood, it’s the patina, its the warmth and it’s the story. You may think to achieve a cozy home you have to spend a fortune, but it is the opposite, my friend. While certain things definitely can be expensive (couches, antiques, etc.) there are many ways to save a few bucks and make your house cozy and inviting.
Let’s get into it : How to make your home cozy on a budget.
How To Make Your Home Cozy On a Budget
Clear the Clutter, Add the Charm
Starting with a blank slate is super important. And while I am suggesting you to clear the clutter, I absolutely do not suggest you just toss all of your crap. There is so much goodness in things that have a special meaning or story – I am just suggesting you go through and do a quick purge. Keep the things that you love. If there is something that you’ve moved around a bunch of times but haven’t found the right spot for it, maybe it’s time to get rid of it. If you’re keeping something because Aunt Susie gave it to you and you don’t want to upset her but it’s not really bringing you joy, it’s probably time to toss it.
I am someone that really loves a collected look, but it can easily look chaotic if there isn’t a method to the madness.
Candles & Lighting
So, this is a super easy and inexpensive way to add some cozy vibes to your space. Lighting is everything. No bright LED bulbs here – and what we’re going for is that warm, cozy, ambiance. The light that a candle casts is so beautiful and what’s awesome is that you can find candles at the dollar store! One of my favorite lights is also from ikea. It’s dimmable, inexpensive and beautiful. I have two of them and they definitely set the cozy mood. You can buy it here. If you do anything at all, I would definitely pay attention to the lighting because it truly makes a huge difference.
Music
This literally costs nothing! If you have the lighting and the music your house will be such a vibe. I think an important part of cozy home design is making your house inviting. I’ve talked about this before – making your house feel like a warm hug. For me, music can totally transport you or make you feel a certain way. Studies show that the right tune can affect your brain emotionally.
There are a few different music players that I have and love. For the record lovers, obviously a record player produces sound like no other that cannot be duplicated. Record players can definitely be expensive but here are a couple of great options below that are under $100.
One of my favorite things ever is my marshall speaker. I love this thing so much and use it daily. Not only does it produce great sound, but it is aesthtically pleasing. I’m not gonna lie – it is pricey and definitely should not be inclued in a budget friendly blog post, but I love it so much and wouldn’t feel right not mentioning it. It’s worth every penny.
The last music device I am going to mention is this little heyday speaker. It is only $10 and if you are truly on a budget but want a simple and cheap way to play some music – this is it! It’s portable, bluetooth enabled, 5 hour battery life and waterproof. Heyday offers other speakers as well but this one is the one I have and have been very impressed.
Find Deals!
Adding texture and layers is a really important aspect on how to make your home cozy. Blankets, pillows, rugs and furniture can be very expensive, but there are ways to find things for less. I rarely ever buy things full price. Here are my tips:
- Watch for sales or clearance. If there is something at a store that I really like I try to wait until there is a coupon or it goes on sale or clearance. Check your local store frequently or try different locations. For instance, I really wanted the black linen Casaluna duvet cover from Target, but didn’t want to spend the money. I ended up finding it on clearance at a different Target for $35! Linked below if you’re interested (along with some other home items that I love).
- thrift stores, marketplace & garage sales. Omg, I love thrifting and garage sale-ing so much. You can find SOOOO MANY amazing deals! If you this irks you out I am going to challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and try one out. I have found so many amazing things: an amazing chair for $4, a beautiful lamp for $6, a canada goose jacket for $5 (I know that’s not at all related to home decor, but I am very proud of this find). I have seen so many dupes for pieces I have seen at major name brand stores. This is probably the number one way that you can save money.
Go out collecting
Having natural elements in your home will definitely add a peaceful and serene feel. It’s so nice to have florals and branches, but you don’t have to go to the floral shop! Get outside and collect some from your backyard or while your on a walk. I am telling you – so many high end designers are actually going this!
I love the look of long branches in a vase. Pampas grass is easy to find, too. I once found a beautiful piece of driftwood on the beach. Once you open your eyes and start looking, you will be amazed at what beautiful things you can findd out in your neighborhood. Just make sure that you are legally allowed to take what you find! The best part – this costs ZERO!
DIY
DIY can definitely be intimidating, but there are so many that are super easy! We DIYed a huge mirror that would have cost us $200-$300 easily, but we ended up only spending $20 because we built the frame ourselves. I gave a grecian bust and many vases a makeover with paint & baking soda and you would be amazed at how expensive they look now! See my blog post on that here.
If you think you can handle a DIY that’s a little more advanced then try adding some texture to the walls with shiplap, bead board or board and batten. Hiring a contractor can be super expensive (especially in this time during covid) so if you can do it yourself you can save a crazy amount of money. And you CAN DO IT. Don’t let fear keep you from trying. We recently redid our powder room ourselves and saved so much! Find that blog post here.
Get Creative
Lastly, I want to encourage you to get creative with what you have. If your budget is super small, look around your home and see what you can repurpose. Have an old bookshelf but need kitchen shelving? Why not throw the bookshelf up on the counter for a super charming way to add the storage you need! Have an old trunk you’re not using? Make it into a side table or coffee table or nightstand! Turn some old glassware into a light fixture! Turn a vase into a lamp. Paint can also go a lonnnng way. It can turn a tired piece of furniture into a brand new piece! I mean, if you think outside of the box you might be able to come up with the solution you’ve been searching for.
That wraps it up, guys. I hope that this encourages you and inspires you to get the cozy home you so desire. Like I said, you don’t have to spend a ton of money if you think outside of the box and roll up your sleeves. You will be so proud of what you can accomplish.
Other posts you may like:
11 Absolutely Must See Cozy Kitchen Ideas
DIY Bathroom Makeover | Quick & Easy Tips To Bring Your Bathroom Back To Life
Warm and Cozy Home Decor | The Absolute Best, Budget Friendly Places to Find it
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