One of the biggest misconceptions about home décor is that is has to cost you a lot of money. Of course you can spend a lot of cash on furniture, fittings, art, carpets and other pieces if you want, but in these austere times it is sensible to look at ways in which you can set up a stylish home for less.

With that in mind here are a few tips on how to make your home look great on a budget:

Upcycle what you own

Upcycling is all the rage at the moment. This means taking pieces that you already own, or cheap items from junk sales, and making them into something functional and stylish for the home. This could also mean renovating your existing furniture to give it a new look. This is a fantastic way to get a rustic look in particular.

Choose reproduction furniture

There is lots of designer furniture on the market and perhaps you think that a piece like that would make a room in your home. And perhaps it would, but you don’t have to buy designer labels to get the coolest furniture. Most designs – whether from decades past or new pieces like this white dressing table – have been reproduced very convincingly so you can get essentially the same furniture for much less.

Shop around for your curtains and blinds

Shops like Niche Blinds & Curtains offer a variety of blinds and curtains to suit your tastes and the layout of your home. Shopping around for these products and choosing a retailer such as this one will save you cash and shopping online can save you a lot of money, rather than shopping on the high street.

Add some flowers

Flowers are cheap and they can make a huge difference to the appearance of a home. Flowers bring in a breath of fresh air and a taste of nature, plus some colour which is often much needed. Also if you dry your flowers by hanging them you can achieve that sought after rustic look easily and cheaply. For just a few pounds a week flowers are well worth it.

Shop second hand

Whether you are looking for some quirky deer antlers to hang on your wall, for a glass chandelier to dazzle in your hallway or a stylish sofa you can find them all cheaper second hand. For things like blinds and curtains buying new is better but for a lot of other pieces you can save a large amount of cash by purchasing used, and there are some quality pieces to be picked up too at markets, antique shops and even charity shops.