Decorating with vintage is a passion of mine and doing it on a budget means that I can incorporate what I love into my spaces without spending a fortune. With the cost of everything rising recently you may find that you have less and less to spend on the things that you love as well.
Even when budgets are tight, it doesn’t mean you can’t have things that you love around you. The pieces that make you happy are the same pieces that will also make your house into a home and we all deserve a home that is comfortable, cozy, and special.
If you love the look of vintage and the uniqueness it brings to a space, here are some of my tried and true tips for decorating with vintage when you have a small (or no!) budget.
Choose the right places to shop
Your dollars will always go farther if you choose the right places to hunt up vintage finds for your home. Skip the antique stores and antique malls if you are on a budget. You can definitely find beautiful pieces at these places but you will also pay a pretty price for them.
If you want to find vintage for the cheapest price possible, hit up garage sales and flea markets (and the dump!). You may have to do a little digging but you will be able to find great pieces for a bargain. Go at the end of the day when people want to get rid of what is left and you will usually find things even cheaper.
Don’t forget too that you can always barter. Don’t take the first price offered and you will save some money for your next find.
Shop your home
Do you know that we often already have something that can be used right in our own homes? Maybe you bought something and tucked it away and forget about it. Clean out those cupboards and storage spaces and see what you can find.
Or, maybe things just need to be moved around. Walk through your house and look at what you already have. The odds are that if you simply move things around and change them up, your space with have a fresh look and feel without spending any money.
Sell something you no longer need
If you really want a special piece of vintage that you found but just don’t have the funds, sell something you no longer need and use the money to buy it. This is a great way to get rid of old pieces that no longer make you happy and replace them with something that does while staying within your budget. Purchasing new vintage this way also helps to keep your house from getting too cluttered with more and more finds.
Create faux vintage
There is almost always a way to replicate a vintage find for a fraction of the cost. When you see a piece you absolutely love, snap a picture and then figure out a way to create a faux version yourself. With the amazing lineup of DIY products on the market today just about any look can be copied with a little elbow grease and a good tutorial.
Creating a faux version is also a great solution if you can’t find a vintage piece you have been searching for.
Be purposeful in what you bring home
This is probably one of the things I say so often it should be tattooed on me! Don’t just bring home pieces because they were cheap or free. If it doesn’t speak to you and make you happy, leave it right where you found it. No one needs to fill their home with things they don’t feel excited about… ever! Learn to recognize what speaks to your heart and trust it. You will be so glad you did.
Remember that decorating takes time
As much as we would all love to have magazine-worthy homes in an instant, creating truly comfortable and beautiful spaces takes time. Each piece that you add will have a story and each piece will make the space feel more complete.
Let it take as long as it needs (and as long as your budget allows) and enjoy what you have created no matter how long the journey takes.
Your house is fabulous! I love that wall!!! The decor is just lovely.
Aww, thanks so much Beverly! It’s been a work in progress for a long time but I am loving it 🙂