Your bedroom walls are bare and your wallet is light? Welcome to the club! I’ve been gawking at my own plain walls since weeks, wishing that I had a designer budget to make them Instagram worthy. Spoiler alert, however, I was wrong, and you do not even have to break the bank.
I have broken the secret of decorating the bedroom walls without draining your savings account, so to speak, and after hundreds of DIY disasters (the one that Pinterest inspires you to do, which is not meant to be used for this purpose), and a few truly successful experiments, I have learned the right way to do it. These 16 cost-effective ideas will make your space look like a college dormitory to design magazine worthy- and your wallet will be happy.
Create a Gallery Wall with Personal Photos
There is nothing like a customized gallery wall. I began with random family pictures and vacation snapshots and to tell the truth? It was the point of everybody’s compliments.
Print your best pictures in different sizes -You can get quality prints under $20 and most pharmacies. Combine thrift, dollar store square and rectangle frames. The key trick I learned? Arrange it all on the floor initially before devoting themselves to nail holes.
Want to make it pop? Include one or two big statement images in the mix of smaller ones. The contrast is aesthetically interesting, yet does not require additional expense.
| Photo Size | Typical Cost | Best Use |
|---|---|---|
| 4×6 inches | $0.25-0.50 | Filler pieces |
| 8×10 inches | $2-4 | Medium focal points |
| 11×14 inches | $5-8 | Statement pieces |
DIY Wall Art with Canvas and Paint
Have you ever looked at those abstract paintings and said to yourself: I could easily do that–they cost 200 dollars? Well, you probably can! I picked up a pack of blank canvases in the dollar store (3 dollars each) and some acrylic paints.
My initial one was more like a creation by a toddler, and no, abstract art is subjective, so I guess it is all good. The second attempt was quite good. Pay attention to basic geometrical design or the use of color blocks or even brush strokes textured in your bedroom color scheme.
Pro-tip on my numerous failures: Begin with two or three colors. The more colors the more bedlam and not the bedlam with a purpose.
Transform Your Space with Removable Wall Decals
Renting and can’t paint? Wall decals were removable that saved me money and my sanity. These are not the same old stickers that you used as a kid today decals are available in hi-tech designs which resemble hand-painted details.
I discovered really pretty botanical decals on Etsy and they are only 15 dollars and they immediately transformed my bedroom into a luxury hotel. They are easy to peel off as you move and that is ideal as we renters are commitment-phobic.
The secret here is to select the decals that will match with what you have and not to be in conflict with it. Delicate designs are more effective than eye catching loud designs.
Use Floating Shelves as Decorative Display Space
Floating shelves are not only storage, they are a mini-gallery that is about to occur. I placed three little shelves (costing a total of 12 dollars) and decorated them with small plants, candles and ornaments.
The trick lies in their change of heights and combining the different textures. A tiny cactus in front of an old book and a scented candle makes the visual experience more than you might have thought of such plain objects.
Styling Tips That Actually Work:
- Rule of threes: Group items in odd numbers
- Mix heights and shapes for visual variety
- Leave some negative space – don’t overcrowd
- Rotate seasonal items to keep it fresh
Create Texture with Fabric Wall Hangings
The art on the fabric walls lends instant comfort and the net cost is near zero provided one is creative in using materials. My first piece was made out of a used scarf that I did not use and a dowel of the hardware store (the total cost was 2 dollars).
You may apply an old scarf, some interesting pieces of fabric scraps or even a gorgeous shirt that you never wore, yet you could not get rid of it. The trick is to find patterns or texture of the fabrics that match your bedrooms.
They are easy to hang: either thread the dowel through a hem or have small clips. These organic, flowing looks immediately relax hard bedroom lines.
Repurpose Old Frames for Creative Displays
Those random frames that gathers dust? They are gold mines in the decoration. Take out the glass and backing, and then use the frames with no contents to make shadow boxes or emphasize wall color.
I used left over wall paint to give the mismatched frames the same color and put them all clustered together. The blank frames form fascinating geometrical designs on the wall and do not cost a bit.
Frames can also be used to display pressed flowers, fabric swatches or decorative paper to change the seasonal displays constantly.
String Lights for Ambient Wall Lighting
Fine, I understand that string lights scream college dorm but hear me out, there is a lot to do with the implementation and the choice of bulbs. Use skip the small Christmas lights and use big warm-colored bulbs or the Edison-style strings.
I hung mine on the wall behind my headboard and the cozy light is the ideal bed time atmosphere. It is about making the placement appear to be planned and not as though you threw them in the air.
The battery-powered varieties allow you to use outlets that are not close to your wall art in order to have a bigger choice in where it can be placed.
Wall-Mounted Plants for Natural Beauty
Plants put life into bare walls immediately and wall-mounted planters are much cheaper than conventional art. I began with plants that are easy-to-maint such as pothos and spider plants that do not mind when I forget to water them once in a while (do not judge!).
Wall planters can be bought cheaply in your local thrift store or you can make them with mason jars and metal clamps. The vertical garden effect enables small bedrooms to look bigger and more in touch with nature.
Best Budget-Friendly Wall Plants:
- Pothos: Trailing vines, low maintenance
- Spider plants: Reproduce easily, great for beginners
- Air plants: No soil needed, unique appearance
Create Visual Interest with Washi Tape Designs
Don’t laugh, washi tape wall art can be made to appear quite sophisticated when it is done well. I painted geometric designs behind my nightstand with three coordinating taping colors and strangers never fail to inquire about my painted designs.
The best part? It is totally removable and only costs less than 10 dollars enough tape to decorate a whole wall. You are also able to make stripes, geometric shapes or even frame outlines around other wall art.
IMO, metallic washi tape produces the most high-end appearance at the price point.
Display Collections as Intentional Art
Got a collection of anything? Turn it into wall art! I placed my old postcards in a grid, and all of a sudden my disorderly gathering practice turned into decor art.
This can be done with nearly any little (or big) pile, such as old spoons, a collection of colored buttons, pressed flowers or a collection of interesting packaging designs. The trick here is to put them in a deliberate way instead of merely pinning them on the wall anywhere.
The dollar store shadow boxes are great to keep small collections safe and on display giving them significance they would not have otherwise.
Use Mirrors to Reflect Light and Space
Mirrors aren’t practical, they are space-expanding magic. I discovered a set of varying sized mirrors during a thrift sale (15 dollars total) and made a clustered arrangement, which takes up in the small bedroom and seems to make the room appear twice as big.
The mirror groupings trick is that you should treat them as any gallery wall. Alternate the size and shapes though maintain the frames within a similar family of color.
Natural lighting design is simple to place mirrors in front of the windows to multiply the natural light by a factor of two.
Create Depth with Layered Wall Decor
Flat wall designs are uninteresting. Combinations of various components provide a visual depth that give interest to your walls. I have placed on a big piece of art, a smaller shelf that sticks out in front of it, and on top of that a little plant.
The trick is particularly effective in areas where you can stack a tall plant, wall decoration and even a small side table with ornamental things. The different depths deceive the eye to perceive additional areas and detail.
The trick is to make sure that every layer has a purpose and it is complementary and not competitive to the other layers.
Incorporate Natural Elements Like Branches
Wall decor is free in nature provided you know where to get it. I would pick such interesting branches on my walks and made a natural wall sculpture that could cost me no more than a zero dollar.
The dead branches, and drift wood, or even interesting twigs can all make fantastic wall displays when put in the right place. Wash them well and they create organic texture which costly art usually attempts to create.
You can either leave them natural or spray them to fit your decor. Anyhow, they introduce the relaxing influence of nature into the house without the upkeep of living plants.
Design Custom Wall Stencils
Making your own stencils will allow you to get the effects of custom painted at the cost of cardboard and paint. I used a basic stencil of a simple geometric patterning and applied it on one wall with accents, to create a high end wallpaper appearance.
Shipping box cardboard can be used as stencil material. Create easy patterns to repeat again and again – the hard way results in a mess that gets frustrating (trust me on this one).
What is the best thing about stenciling? Colors and patterns can be tailored to the exact match in your current decor instead of having to use what the stores sell.
Transform Empty Corners with Tall Art
Corner spaces can be overlooked yet they are ideal locations that accommodate tall narrow art works that attract the eye upwards. I made a photo strip in a vertical format through a few small frames in a column.
Such a technique is particularly effective in front of a nightstand or behind corners where horizontal art would appear clumsy. The vertical focus makes the ceiling look higher and introduces the visual interest to abandoned spaces.
Tall art can be done by placing smaller sizes one on top of the other, or just one large vertical piece, or even by hanging a piece of fabric in a long banner look.
Corner Decoration Ideas:
- Vertical photo strips: Multiple small frames in a column
- Tall canvas art: Single statement piece
- Hanging fabric banners: Textile wall art
- Plant stands with trailing plants: Natural vertical interest
Mix Textures and Materials for Visual Interest
The trick to looking rich decorating? The combination of various textures and materials. I used smooth metal frames and rugged woven baskets together with glossy ceramic objects to create an appearance of something a person has acquired over time.
Smooth, rough, matte, shiny, soft, hard – the contrast of the textures gives visual interest which makes the arrangements that look simple put more weight than their price tags.
It applies when you are putting together a shelf, making a gallery wall or even designing a room. The diversity makes the eyes interested and provides depth.
Seasonal Rotation Keeps Things Fresh
The reason is that you do not need to purchase new decor because you can turn in the ones you have. I have a tiny box of seasonal products which I change in every 3 months. Summer implies bright colors, botanical prints, and winter implies textures and metal that are cozy.
With this rotation trick, you will feel that your bedroom is always fresh without spending a lot. Not to mention the fact that you can always have something new because you can store part of the stash so that once you get tired of having the same decorations, you can heat them up.
Micros changes such as switching the sheets of the pillows or the art objects that are placed in the forefront wall can totally change the mood of your space.
Conclusion
Making your bedroom walls look good on a budget is not about having to sacrifice some style, but about the ability to use whatever you have and go beyond the box. These 16 tips can prove that you do not have to spend a designer budget to make your space feel like it is your own.
The real secret? Begin small and develop. Select two or three of the ideas that resonated with you, test them, and observe how they change your space. It can make you less tied to what’s in the stores and you can amaze yourself with what you can produce.
The way your bedroom looks should be a reflection of how you are and not by the amount you have in the bank account. Then head to the thrift store and take some frames, empty those photo books and begin to make those blank walls your new home. The future you will make yourself will have been glad, and so will your wallet! 🙂