Budget-Friendly Seasonal Decorating Ideas

If you feel a little twinge of creativity bubbling up, it’s probably because we are on the cusp of change from winter to spring. Fresh new energetic vibes often translate into a home decor redo, especially for military families who rent their home on or off the installation. 

It’s not always easy to figure out what you’d like to add or change in your home. Sometimes, you just know something feels off or out of place. For inspiration or tried and true tricks, start following bloggers and Pinterest aficionados who specialize in rental home or military housing decorating. They’ll share tips to save money and highlight products that are perfect for living a rental home life. 

For now, head into the warmer months with these budget decorating tips. 

1. Stay Neutral

Furniture

It’s hard to invest in big ticket items like a sofa without a forever home as reference. As renters, we inherit hodge-podge paint colors and odd-shaped rooms in rental properties, making a custom sofa splurge difficult to justify. 

You’ll never go wrong by purchasing a standard size, neutral-colored sofa. Neutral does not have to mean white or beige. Grays and navys are also considered neutral colors. If the budget allows, a slipcovered sofa is even better. The opportunity to machine wash any stain away pays for itself quickly. Additional slipcovers also quench the thirst for specific decor tastes in colors and patterns.   

Here’s a quick tip for finding an affordable sofa: Military families love Costco. Their affordability is unmatched, as is their return policy. Watch for the July and December furniture sales, and with online inventory (with delivery and setup), there’s much more available vs. your local store. And don’t forget about your friendly AAFES stores! You can have furniture delivered for a small fee and have the old pieces taken out. 

Paint

Cue the groans, but renters cannot avoid the fact that neutral paint on the walls freshens the entire home. Again, neutral doesn’t have to mean greige. Light green, such as a sage, or a blue-gray pull double duty as a neutral. Experiment with paint chips or samples to watch how the light affects the color throughout the day.

For help convincing your homeowner to let you upgrade paint, show off previous homes that you’ve updated and discuss the benefits you’ll leave behind. Do note you’ll have to work out the details of who pays and what the expectations are for your move-out. Be sure to have these details documented in your lease. 

2. Add Color with Accessories

For renters on the installation, this is your time to shine! Embrace the neutral palette and go crazy with color and showstopping accessories. 

Rugs, Curtains, and Lighting

Yes, throw pillows are accessories and the industry go-to for adding color, but there are many other choices to add color to an otherwise neutral room. Rugs are the perfect accessory to inject color. The price points start low and are readily accessible in common stores from Target and Walmart, to HomeGoods and World Market. 

Lighting is often overlooked and tends to be builder-quality in military housing. Portable and versatile table and floor lamps, chandeliers, and sconces are all ideal for adding personality. The shades can be switched to add color and texture, while the hardware is updated with a few passes of spray paint. 

It’s all right if not every window in your home is covered. Natural light is always better than a dark room. Keep privacy a concern, but evaluate where curtains make the biggest color statement, most likely in the living spaces. Choose a pattern or color that delights each time you walk into the room. 

If the calm, cool, and breezy aesthetic is your favorite, gauzy white sheers that reach the floor are a classic look. Install the curtain hardware as high as possible to extend the height of the room. Avoid valances. They are difficult to work with in home after home and often look dated. 

Before giving up on your curtain box and tossing it out all together, ask a friend to give their opinion on updating the colors or lengths. Or, ask a few friends to bring their curtain boxes over to host a swap and collaborate on new ideas. Any friend with sewing skills could earn a few bucks in hemming and alteration fees. 

3. Add in 2020 Home Decorating Trends 

Classic Blue

Staying on trend is often unaffordable. This year, however, there are multiple ways to update your home with budget friendly 2020 design trends. 

If you haven’t heard, Pantone’s color of the year for 2020 is Classic Blue. As a shopper, you’ll see this color and close variations tied to everything from bath mats to picture frames. 

Classic Blue is trendy, but also has a long life as it is a classic color. This means decorating pieces in this hue are plentiful, affordable, and long-lasting. Choose a velvet slipper chair for the bedroom or blue linen window coverings to solidify decorating themes that easily incorporate Classic Blue: preppy, nautical, or coastal, to name just a few. 

Real or Faux, Just Add Plants

If you’re still holding onto your succulents, branch out and give another household-friendly plant a try. 

Citrus trees are a two-fer, adding gorgeous color and fragrance to the home. Buy indoor or dwarf varieties, as they tolerate pot life better than their outdoor cousins. Meyer lemons are not only popular as greenery, but the print is popping up on kitchen linens and throw pillows.

If you can find a quality, high-end, fake olive tree, jump on this trend. The plants are in demand because of their smokey sage color and classic features. Cut olive branches are displayed in table vases and as wall decor. Take a look at home furniture and decorating magazines; they’ll be styled on table and counter tops. 

If you find an affordable plant and the pot is undesirable, you can always spruce it up later with paint or a custom wrap. Or, replace it with a pot from a thrift store or one you currently have on-hand. 

 

This time of year, you’re probably in one of two groups: planning to move or planning to stay put. Both have plenty of reason to add spring and summer budget decorating touches, whether now or in a couple of months. Focus on your decorating priorities—whether it’s new furniture or updated paint—and customize them to fit a renter’s lifestyle. 

By Dawn M. Smith for MilitaryByOwner