It’s natural to catch some flack for living the frugal lifestyle.
However, pinching pennies doesn’t have to mean that you live in a shack.
Whether you’re trying to simplify your home or just plain live with less, there’s still plenty you can do to make your meager living space look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.
If you’re tired of naysayers picking on your lifestyle and want to turn your apartment or home into a mini-mansion, consider the following steps to get started. While some of the following tips make take some creativity and time, there’s no reason why you can’t create the illusion of a more sophisticated home space on a frugal budget.
Pick Out Some Fresh Furniture
Those second-hand Ikea pieces aren’t fooling anyone.
Here’s the thing: you’re going to have to splash some cash on furniture to give your space a bit more pizzazz. Yot everything in your house needs to be gold-plated; however, you should consider some new pieces of high quality furniture in your home to catch the eyes of your guests. If you’re really strapped for cash, a couple of centerpieces (think: a bed, coffee table) can tie any room together.
After all, furniture represents a sound investment in your home. High quality pieces of furniture can last forever, perfect for the frugal buyer looking to save for the long haul.
Rearrange Your Rooms
Chances are, you aren’t making the most of the space that you do have.
Take a step back and think about space-savers such as those who are part of the tiny house movement, making the most of a couple hundred square feet and living comfortably. If they can live the good life in a smaller space, why can’t you? Consider some minimalist living tricks such as hidden storage within your staircases or creative storage systems for under-the-bed.
Remember, you’re creating the illusion of a bigger, cleaner space. Perspective is everything, so make sure that you move all furniture and decorations to toward the wall and keep the middle of any given room as open as possible.
De-Clutter
Those old posters from your dorm-room days that you’ve kept around for years need to go. Likewise, the less you have cluttered on the walls and throughout your home, the cleaner and more put-together your space will feel.
You don’t necessarily need the Mona Lisa on your wall to make your décor feel fancier: instead, downsize and take a more minimalist approach to decorating. Think about the odds and ends you’d be willing to part with and start there: you may be surprised at how much junk you’ve accumulated over the years.
Paint Your Walls
Believe it or not, the color of your walls could potentially be off-putting guests while simultaneously representing the culprit that makes your home seem smaller. Lighter, muted colors (think: off-whites and monochromatic schemes) represent subtle touches that allow you play with your space and give your home a sense of personality.
Hacking your home for a more elegant look doesn’t have to break the bank. Instead, focus on centerpieces within your home and make the most of the space you do have versus sweating fancy décor.
