how to decorate without shopping

4 Ways to Decorate Without Going Shopping

Ian Mutuli
Updated on
Ian Mutuli

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.
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With life returning to normal after the pandemic and after two years of stay-at-home orders, many homeowners want to refresh their interiors. The exciting thing is that you don’t need to go shopping or spend a lot of money on new furniture and decorative items. All it takes is a little imagination, and you could try some DIY projects to spruce up the place and invest only your time and creativity. Check out some of these ideas that can be a great starting point.

Transform a Wall into a Showcase of Your Life

Start this DIY project by collecting a bunch of your favorite photos of the family, places you visited, or loving moments you cherish. You could also add a custom house painting, kids’ artwork, vacation souvenirs, and any other framed keepsakes that tell a story or a fond memory. Also, pick out framed mirrors and other wall art in glass, beads, fabric, or paper. Your collection need not be the same size but a delightful medley of colors and textures. Now arrange them on the wall, aligning them in a haphazard but stylish way.

Change Your Mantlepiece Decorations

Turn your attention to the mantlepiece, and now that you have moved the family mementos to the wall, you have some free space for playing around. Pull out an old calendar with beautiful images and pick out a few you like best. Frame them and line them on the shelf, along with small knickknacks like candlestands or a few glasses with delicate plants. Going with a theme is a great idea, but a blend of totally unconnected items can also do the trick. Here’s another idea. Instead of pictures, you could stand a framed mirror and instantly open up the room by adding an impression of space.

Refresh Your Throw Pillows

Rummage through your closet, and you’re sure to find a bunch of vintage scarves with pretty prints in silk, satin, or any other shiny fabric. Use the material to make new slipcovers for your cushions. If not covers, you could cut them into strips and sew them around the edges of the pillows to add an element of interest. Or, try appliqued motifs to create delicate patterns and give them a whole new lease of life. If that’s too much of a bother, drape your scarves over the couches to brighten the room.

Dress Up Your Fur Baby’s Favorite Spot

Don’t forget to dress up your doggo’s favorite corner. Hang up a few dog portraits and designate a basket to keep their chew toys and treat dispensers sorted. You could also make a new blanket for their bed, using some of your old tees. Your bud will love to sleep on a clothing item that carries your scent instead of store-bought bedding. Personalize it with some fabric paint by printing your dog’s name on it, along with a message.

Infuse new energy into your home and rejuvenate it with these quick tips that won’t cost the earth.

Ian Mutuli

About the author

Ian Mutuli

Founder and Managing Editor of Archute. He is also a graduate architect from The University of Nairobi, Kenya.