The Wardrobe Stylist

When I moved into my house last year, I had read so many home decor tips to ensure that I could afford everything I had saved on my Pinterest boards as inspiration.

It was a bigger, brand new home, which meant a bigger mortgage and more furniture is needed to fill it up. I wanted to ensure everything I had in the house was something I wanted to have. If we could only get everything we want on our wish list, it would cost a fortune. To get the designer look without the price tag, I needed to be smart about my shopping.

Home Decor Tips to Get the Designer Look

For this post, I am using my bedroom as an example to show you what I did. I started off with this image from Design Dining and Diapers as my inspiration. Of course it’s not identical but I was able to replicate many of the things on a really tight budget.

To get that look, I divided the room into items I needed. This photo shows mostly the bed. There were things I wanted to have that were drawn from other inspiration sources.

 

 

#1 – Check Discounters

Chandelier

Chandeliers can be some of the most expensive items depending on their components, especially if you want the luxurious unique look without the price tag. This was one of the first items I tackled.

Initially I wanted a beautiful chandelier like this one that’s handcrafted by Murano masters according to the Venetian glass art. While it was still a larger purchase (at 530 euros), the price is much lower than what’s found elsewhere. These things can go as high as $8000 on sale! And I’m not kidding. Check for yourself. I opted for something simpler as I decided to put this one in the living room when I redo my lighting there. I also found a glass dining table and chairs clearance so checking for sales and discounts is worth doing!

Cowhide Rug

I’ve already discussed on the blog how I managed to get my cowhides for nearly half the price they usually cost. Looking for furniture discounters will save you hundreds of dollars. This tricolor XXL cowhide is $175, which is an amazing price for it.

#2 – Wait for Sales

Headboard

While I like the wooden headboard, I wanted to keep a little feminine touch and instead have a tufted white velvet headboard similar to this one that you can find on Overstock for $234. So based on this, I scoured every discount website and compared what they have until I found the cheapest option at $160. I waited for sales on every website and finally the one that panned out with me was Overstock.

Hotel Style Bedding

Next on the home decor tips items is my hotel style bedding. I created an alert on discount website to get notified when it was going on sale. Once it did, I made sure to snatch it right away!

Embroidered Bench

This bench started off at around $400. When I went it to check it out again, they had brought it down to $99. Yup! Reason being is that it had a loose part that I managed to quickly fix at home.

#3 – Get the Knock Offs

Night Tables

I had always loved those grid style metal side tables. They’ve been around for a while but every time I saw them, one side table was like $350 each! I found some at a discounter. But honestly the price was still high. Finally I snatched a knock off (large size) from Bouclair for $300 for 2!

Hammered Metal End Tables

It took me a while to decided what I wanted to put at the foot of the bed. I had seen several home decor tips call for hammered metal as night tables or end tables and decided to give it try. Again glancing over products online, prices were overwhelming with $200 a pop. Luckily I found y replica for no more than $60 each, making it an easy purchase.

#4 – Buy Second Hand

Industrial Table Lamps

For my industrial table lamps, I bought them separately. Fancy ones can be upwards of $200. But I wasn’t gonna dish out that kind of money for it. If you want my home decor tips, hunt them down. I scavenged sites like Craigs List and Kijiji until I found the first for $25. Score! The second came a little more expensive at $40 tax free and delivered to my door. I did find one similar Industrial desk lamp from Amazon if you like for $20.

Rustic Ladder

I had the idea of the latter when I did the Handmade Etsy show last year. I used it to display my reversible pocket squares and figured I’d do something with it after. Everywhere I went though, it wasn’t cheap. You might fall on a small one for $50, but I decided again to shop second had. I managed to get a really tall ladder that the very nice man cut into 2 for me for $35. So 2 ladders for the price of one. 

Deer Antlers

After hanging my reclaimed wood wall decor, I needed to decorate it with something. Deer antlers were the best option but prices were upwards of the $100 for some nice ones. So after an intense search, I fell on a beauty that needed a new home for $40. If you can’t find used, here’s a cheap option for deer antlers.

French Provincial Dresser

If you’ve looked to buying those from any retailer, new or vintage, you know they can be north of $800. If you get them second hand, it can cost you $150-200 depending on the size and condition and all you have to do it either distress it, or give it a paint job.

#5 – IKEA Hack it

Sheepskin Foot Stool

This item off of my home decor tips took a little bit of analytical thinking. I saw the original sheepskin foot stool designer item at furniture store. These things can be upwards of $300.

I fell in love but again wasn’t having the budget for it. When I went home, I found this stool that was laying around with no good use. Then I glanced over my Ikea faux sheepskin and thought to myself if I got some padding and stapled everything onto the stool, I can replicate the one I found in the store. It was a 30 minute project for a total investment of $4. That was easy! I will soon be posting the DIY steps for it.

Sheepskin Rug

Sheepskin, like cowhide, is a great piece to quickly dress up a bland piece of furniture, or to add a dimension or contrast. Contrast is what I wanted. While real sheepskin is easily found, it’s not always affordable. If you don’t want to pay $60, $70, or $80 for it, your best bet is to get one from Ikea or Amazon for a genuine sheepskin rug.

#6 – Handy Me Downs

Vintage Silver Tray

Who doesn’t love free? Especially when it comes in the format of normally expensive items that are hard to find. This was the case for my vintage silver tray which I used to store my perfumes and hair clips. Thankfully my mom handed me this handmade Moroccan style decorative tray to use that would have otherwise cost me around $260-$300. If you didn’t luck out on this item, thankfully here’s an affordable silver mirrored decorative tray option that’s $30.

Embroidered Tribal Table Runner

I used this instead of a throw or a blanket as I thought it was more original and really jived with the rustic decor of the bedroom. I was lucky enough to get this piece as a handy me down but I’ve found an alternative embroidered table runner that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

#7 – DIY it

Reclaimed Wood Pallet Wall Decor

While that may be the cheapest option, it isn’t always the easiest or most convenient. I’ve already provided a tutorial on how you make your own. If you’re not so handy, here’s an option for reclaimed wood wall decor that’s pretty affordable.

Cushions

These are pretty easy to make and are a beginner project. But again, if you couldn’t be bothered here is a cheap option for zebra cushions.

#8 – Find it in Mother Nature

Decorative Tree Stumps

Finding it outside is the best option. While not always available, it’s something you constantly have to check for because often what we find outside, ends up costing much more if we have to buy it in stores. I got my tree stumps from a farm I was buying local produce from. The next time you take a hike (literally) or stop by a farm, see what they’ve got in store. They’re often more than happy to get rid of it. Just be sure to clean it before you pack it in your car.

I left mine au naturel, but you can definitely get rid of the outer layer, paint it, varnish it and do as you please with it.

To Summarize

The next time you need to decorate or remake a room keep these tips in mind:

1. Check discounter
2. Wait for sales
3. DIY it
4. Get the knock offs
5. Ikea hack it
6. Buy second hand
7. Go for hand me downs
8. Find it in nature

Are there any home decor tips you can share? Let me know in the comments :).

 

P.S. If you enjoyed this post, you might like to receive my fashion, beauty, fitness, home décor, and DIY tips and tricks that will save your life right into your inbox! Get a free health hacks download when you sign up!

Now for “Bloggers Who Have Inspired Me” link up

Rachel of Garay Treasures blog:

Rachel is a former full time preschool special education teacher turned full time stay-at- home mom of four children with a passion for substitute teaching and blogging at Garay Treasures on the side. Garay Treasures is a fashion and lifestyle blog with some added posts on faith and everyday treasures. Rachel loves drinking several cups of coffee a day (hot or iced), blogging, and reading and playing with her children. You can follow Rachel by bloglovin, Instagram, Twitter, Facebook or Pinterest.

Meet your Co-Host Rania of The Wardrobe Stylist

 

Branding herself The Wardrobe Stylist, Rania began styling and blogging nearly a decade ago. She worked with a long list of clients and covered coveted events. Rania loves to give advice to people about the things she’s most passionate and knowledgeable in: fashion, beauty, fitness, and home décor. You can also check out her DIYs and her innovation the Reversible Pocket Square.

You can follow Rania via: Twitter| Instagram

Now on to the Featured 5 from last week

I am not a clutch girl but when I do come across clutches I am DEFINITELY trying this project that Becky linked up. It looks so simple and really adds to a clutch for sure. See post here.

Shauna looks incredible and glamorous for the 4th. Love those heels. See post here.

I love Arielle’s trend on trend on trend look here.

Lauryn’s casual 4th of July inspired look is just the cutest, check it out here.

As a blogger I am sure you are aware of the spammy or unsolicited collaboration e-mails that come often to your inbox asking for a partnership or collaboration. Read how Shelbee has dealt with it and read the great advice from other bloggers in the comments. I am inspired by the community that the other bloggers share in this post to help Shelbee and one another out with figuring out how to handle unsolicited e-mails. Read post here.

Now it is your turn, please follow the rules below and enjoy!

1. Please link up recent posts and include the link up button or post this URL link back on your blog. The posts can be about fashion, DIY projects, recipes, inspiration, tips, etc. *If you link up other link ups or giveaways please be sure you share this link up on your link up post to share the blog love and I will be sure to link up to yours. Also please follow me in the below social medias and let me know how you are following and I will follow back. Thank you!
2. Please follow your host: Rachel of Garay Treasures either by Bloglovin, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter or all. Comment below and let me know how you are following so I can follow back.
3. Stop by and check out the other bloggers who have linked up and be inspired.
4. Have fun! Comment below if you have any questions! Thanks for linking

To link up it would be great if you linked my button to your post that you link up. Get button code below: