20 Thrifty Decorating Hacks for Retirees
Let’s face it—redecorating your home or even a single room can hit your wallet where it hurts, especially with the cost of living soaring to unaffordable heights. So, does that mean you’re stuck with that wood-paneled rumpus room that’s basically a museum full of artifacts from the 70s? That floral couch that the salesperson assured you was timeless when you bought it in the 80s? Those ruffled curtains that look like they’re straight out of Full House? Of course not! In fact, with just a little planning and creativity, you can bring your home into this century without draining your savings. Here are 20 thrifty decorating hacks to get you started.
1. Paint your walls a new color.
An easy way to spruce up your house without hitting your wallet where it hurts? Paint the walls a new color! Sure, it might not be the home makeover of your dreams, but it’s a relatively cheap way to change things up.
2. Go thrift shopping.
Yes, thrift shopping is a great way to score some secondhand clothes. But did you also know that a lot of thrift stores carry furniture and other home décor? If you’re looking for a new painting or a vase, don’t rush to Amazon. Instead, check out your local thrift store or Goodwill. They might just have exactly what you’re looking for, at a fraction of the cost.
3. Mix and match throw pillows.
Throw pillows are a nice accessory to any room! And while they’re pretty affordable, there’s no need to rush out and get new ones, especially if you’re living on a fixed income. The solution? Mix and match the throw pillows that you already have! If there’s a throw pillow in your bedroom that might complement your living room couch, do a little pillow swap. Have fun, and don’t be afraid to get creative!
4. Buy a new rug.
Rugs are the unsung heroes of our homes. Not only do they collect dirt and other debris, but they can really tie a room’s theme together, too! If you’re a little bored with your current décor, don’t throw out all your furniture just yet. Before you place anything in your Amazon cart, consider buying a new rug first. It may just give your room that much-needed refresh, without putting a strain on your wallet.
5. Upgrade your lamps.
Lighting often sets the tone for your house or a room. If your lightbulb doesn’t emit much light, it can make your room seem cold and dim. The solution? Swap out your lightbulbs! Incandescent bulbs often give that warm, cozy glow that makes rooms so inviting. Of course, you can also switch out the lampshade or decorate it to make it feel like a brand-new piece, too!
6. Declutter.
Let’s face it–life is messy. Birthdays and holidays add to the ever-expanding collection of stuff in our homes. Sometimes, we toss junk mail onto the counter, and there it stays, messy and untouched, for weeks on end. Our shoes form a mountain next to the front door. Decluttering our homes can make them feel brand-new. Reclaim your space by tossing the junk mail and putting away that mountain of shoes. Not only will you appreciate the aesthetic changes, but a clean home will also benefit your mental and emotional health!
7. Scout your area for yard sales.
If the redecorating bug has bitten you but your budget is tight, you don’t have to shelve those decorating dreams. Instead, scout your area for yard sales. Many people get rid of old furniture and décor that may just look perfect in your home. Even if something isn’t in pristine condition, you can always make it your next DIY project and spruce it up. The possibilities are endless!
8. Buy some candles.
Candles are underrated. Not only do they fill our home with lovely smells, but they can really make a space feel extra cozy and inviting! Plus, many candles nowadays come in decorative containers that can really make your home look beautiful! If you want affordable candles that look as pretty as they smell, check out Goose Creek.
9. Rearrange your furniture.
When people say someone is set in their ways, that typically applies to their home, too. Maybe the furniture in your living room has been in the same configuration since the 80s. Or maybe the movers plunked it down when you moved into a new house, and you saw no reason to change it. If either of those scenarios rings true in your life, there’s an easy decorating hack that’ll require zero money whatsoever. Rearrange the furniture you already own! This could be as simple as moving a couch to the opposite side of the room or hanging a picture somewhere else. Play around with your furniture and see what happens. You may be pleasantly surprised at the results!
10. Decorate with houseplants.
If you have an outdoor garden, you know how much they beautify your lawn. The same principle applies to indoor spaces. So, buy a few houseplants! It’s cheaper than purchasing new furniture, and it’s guaranteed to breathe new life into your home.
11. Upcycle!
If you’ve never heard of upcycling, then allow us to introduce you to an absolutely revolutionary concept. According to UpcycleThat.com, upcycling is “the act of taking something that’s considered waste and repurposing it.” If you want to change up your décor without forking over half your life savings, upcycling might be the answer. You can take old glass bottles and turn them into flower vases. Or you can repurpose books into shelves. Or you can turn teacups into candles. The possibilities are endless!
12. Give old items a fresh coat of paint.
Paint can really bring new life to an old piece, and you can paint more than walls! If there’s an old, dusty desk that’s been taking up space in your office for years, drag it outside and paint it a fun new color. Or you could spruce it up with a fresh coat of the same color. Whatever you decide, we’re sure some paint will really do the trick. So, don’t run out to IKEA and buy a whole new set of furniture. Instead, go to Lowe’s to pick up some paint and give pre-owned pieces a little makeover.
13. Incorporate vintage books into your décor.
Books are portals to other worlds, times, and places. However, they can also serve another purpose: beautifying your home! You can find vintage books just about anywhere: yard sales, thrift shops, antique stores, and even estate sales. Purchase stacks and place them in strategic areas throughout your home. Not only will they add a little splash of color and character to each room, but you can also read them, too! (Author’s note: Believe it or not, bed bugs CAN hide in books. So before you add any books to your library, flip through them and do a little bed bug check.)
14. DIY!
Rather than going out and buying new pieces, why not put your creative talents to use and create some new pieces! With a little ingenuity, you can reupholster a chair and make it look like a brand-new piece. Or you can create a holiday wreath for your front door. With only a bit of imagination and some artistic skills, you can DIY some great decorations without breaking the bank.
15. Use spray paint.
Spray paint is a cheap, easy way to transform items you already own into masterpieces! For example, you can spray paint an old picture frame and make it look just like new. Meanwhile, if you have metal tables or chairs on your patio, you can spray paint them, as well! Make sure you give the metal pieces a good rubdown with sandpaper before you paint them. You want to make sure you can work with a smooth surface!
16. Repurpose blankets, curtains, and tablecloths.
If you can’t afford a new item of furniture and your old furniture is in bad shape, there’s an easy way to hide the imperfections. Exhibit A: You can throw a fancy tablecloth over a chipped table and make it look more inviting. Or you can hang up curtains to give a room a little more appeal. A blanket can hide that stubborn stain that you simply can’t get out of your couch. You can even hang more paintings to hide marks on your wall!
17. Try out a décor swap.
If you’re on a fixed income and simply can’t afford to buy any new pieces, you’re not out of luck. You can still organize a décor swap. It’s exactly what the name implies: a way to swap décor with friends, neighbors, or loved ones. Ask a friend with similar tastes if they’d be willing to trade pieces. Or you could host a décor swap party. Not only will you be able to get rid of old pieces you no longer like, but you’ll acquire new items that will surely add some much-needed character to your living space without spending so much as a dime!
18. Simplify.
Sometimes, the answer to reinventing your home isn’t to acquire more stuff; it’s to get rid of the things you already have. Instead of redecorating completely, try to simplify. Get rid of some furniture. Take down a painting or two. Take some time to ask yourself hard questions. Do you really need all those rugs? And what about that coffee table you never use? There’s another upside to simplifying. You can sell the pieces you get rid of and make some money. It doesn’t get much simpler than that!
19. Hang more mirrors.
Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who’s got the best décor of them all? You can with this simple, thrifty tip—more mirrors! You can score mirrors at yard sales or thrift stores. Wipe the mirror down, paint the frame, and you’ll have a beautiful addition to any room! We’re confident that more mirrors may have your visitors declaring your home to be the fairest of them all.
20. Use vintage postcards and stationery to dress up a space.
Sadly, writing letters and sending postcards is something of a lost art. But you can still make good use of stationery and postcards, even if you no longer send much snail mail. Turn those things into wall art! You can hang them anywhere in your room. They’re a simple way to complement just about any living space. And guess what? They’re cheap! For example, you can purchase this box of 100 postcards on Amazon for just $22.95. Those are one hundred potential art pieces for your home, at a fraction of the cost you’d pay for actual paintings! How’s that for a thrifty tip?
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Originally published April 15, 2025
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