She’s among the gentlest, sweetest young women you’d ever hope to meet. When she sings in church on Sunday, with a voice like an angel and her face radiant and glowing, I get the distinct feeling she’s sitting at the very feet of God.
Through the week, she patiently teaches little girls the art of ballet. It’s more than just plies and pirouettes. It’s instilling grace, discipline and confidence. She’s investing in those little girls, in the women they will someday become. She serves endlessly and loves selflessly.
When I noticed the email from her in my inbox, I smiled. I haven’t seen her in years and it was a joy to connect. She was asking for decorating advice. You see, though her heart is big, her budget isn’t.
Just an assortment of jars, some clippings from my yard and a piece of burlap.
A Starbucks Frappuccino jar serving as a vase and yard clippings.
When looking through Pinterest or browsing Pottery Barn, or even Hobby Lobby, it’s easy to believe that you need deep pockets in order to create a beautiful home. This simply isn’t true.
So, in honor of my sweet friend, over the next several posts, I’m going to share 15 free or nearly free decorating ideas
1. Jars:
I hate waste. Maybe it was the way I was raised. Maybe it’s because I’ve spent time in countries where poverty thrives like a cancer, choking out life and hope. Maybe it’s from trying to raise five little ones on a tight budget. Maybe it’s all of those things, but for whatever reason, I hate waste.
Image credit It All Started With Paint
Image credit Jarful House. This is a fun centerpiece
Image credit Jarful House. A jar, paint, a bracket and a piece of wood.
As a result, I often have a cabinet full of old jars of all shapes and sizes. Spaghetti sauce jars. Jelly jars. Tall skinny jars from Sun-dried tomatoes. Jars from an occasional bottled Starbucks Frappuccino. Short, fat jars from who-knows-what.
It turns out that jars make a great, free decorating accessory. Use them as vases, drinking glasses or storage. They are great containers for cotton balls, Q-tipps, and bobby pins. They can hold craft paint brushes, , pencils, make-up brushes and kitchen utensils. They can be painted, embellish with ribbon, burlap, lace and decoupage , and little things can be glued to them.
When using jars to decorate, try grouping several together to increase the visual impact. They can be the same, like in the beer bottles below, or you can mix and match. It doesn’t really matter.
Beer bottles!
Image credit Mason Jar Crafts Love
Image credit Lovely Lily’s Place
2. Books
Books make great, versatile decorations. Old books can add age and character to a space. New books can be decorated with craft paper, burlap, wrapping paper or fabric.
Image credit Little Vintage Nest
Image credit Little Vintage Nest
Image credit Dot Com Women
If you want a unified look, create your own spine labels. For an eclectic look, simply mix books of all sizes, colors and ages. Lay them on their sides and stack them. Prop a single book open or allow several to lean up against each other. Hang them on a wall for a clever wall display. They can even be used to create a fun, inexpensive shelf or a decorative box for holding treasures.
Image credit to Make and Do Crew
Here’s one from Fixer Upper
Image credit Nikki and Nicholas
3. Book pages
Most of us have more books lying around than we know what to do with, and if we’re honest, some of those books will never be opened again. Why not use the pages to create beautiful, free decor? Here are some ideas:
Book page Wreathes
Image credit Lace Crazy
Image credit Beehive Art Salon
Image credit Robin-Happy at Home
Book page Garlands
Image credit Tip Junkie
Image credit Love Embellished.
Book page Decoupage – Glue shapes cut from book pages to jars, tins and boxes.
Image credit The Wicker House
Book page Basket of Eggs
This is such a fun and inexpensive idea. Simply decoupage book pages over plastic Easter eggs. These are displayed in a grape vine wreath, but you can get the same look with a bowl of twigs gathered from your yard. Add stamps if desired.
Image credit Sew for Soul
Book page Wall Hanging
I love this! It’s simple, beautiful and again, versatile. Just choose your favorite quote.
Image credit Hogg Barn Antiques
Book page Lamp Shade
There are lots of options for covering old lamp shades with book pages. One of my favorite is using an illustrated book for a child’s room.
Image credit Amazing Goodwill
Book page Flowers
Simply beautiful. A bowl of flowers crafted from the pages of a book.
Image credit Love Embellished
Are you overwhelmed? Inspired? Decorating doesn’t have to be expensive. Take a look around. What do you already have? Are there other ways to use them, transform them or re-purpose them? Be creative. Be bold. And above all, have fun creating a home you love!
(Disclosure: While everything on this page can be created DYI, some of these images came from Etsy pages and the items are also available for purchase. )
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I love these ideas!
Thanks Anita. I hope you can use some of them.
What great ideas to decorate on a budget! Thanks for sharing. I’m inspired 🙂
Thanks Lanae!