7 Budget-Friendly Design Hacks for Families

Honestly, adulting is just hard (either most of the time or some of the time, but does it matter either way?). Add in when you have to juggle work, a family, and that ever-dwindling bank account - how are you supposed to get everything or anything done and then some. That's for a different day though, because this is an interior design studio and we're still figuring adulting out. Creating a home that not only caters to your needs, but your wellness as well will probably help with adulting.

A little luxury really does go a long way. We aren't saying that your home has to be bathed in marble (even though it may look good - cue the romans here) or have to scream “I bought everything on clearance” (even if you did). It's a proven fact that having a space that is personalized to your needs, emotions, or wants can mentally and emotionally make you feel better. That's the main reason why we love designing at Citrus Velvet Interiors. We want our clients to be the best versions of themselves, and have a space that they want to return to that didn't destroy their bank accounts. I mean, this world is overly chaotic and stressful, your home shouldn't be one of them.

So whether you’re wrangling toddlers or trying to make space for your newest plant baby, here are seven budget-friendly design hacks to help you create a home that still feels good to you and doesn't break the bank.

If you need to skip to certain sections, then take a look below:

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: Your Walls, Your Rules

Thrift, Flip, and Thrive

Command Hooks: The Unsung Heroes of Organization

Swap Meets and DIY Decor Parties

Mood Lighting, Minus the Splurge

Rugs to the Rescue

Repurpose Everyday Items

Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: Your Walls, Your Rules

Gone are the days of committing to a paint color you’ll regret in a week. Enter peel-and-stick wallpaper – the ultimate game changer for indecisive decorators. These removable wonders come in every pattern imaginable, from boho florals to sleek geometric designs. Use them as an accent wall in your living room or to jazz up the back of your bookshelves.

I know some people worry about reselling a home. Don't! You never know who is going to buy the home later. Maybe they'll love the design and want to purchase it because of that? Plus, you're the one living there now! Fix it to how you need to feel in your space or what works for you and your family. If you still are like, "no I need to make sure we can resell the home!", then peel and stick wallpaper is a good option because it comes right off. Not only did you get to live in your design, but you now you can easily fix it up to resell if the time comes.

Pro Tip: Measure your space carefully before purchasing, and start with a small area to practice applying it smoothly without bubbles. Additionally, buy extra just in case you need to fix it later or something happens while you are placing it.

Thrift, Flip, and Thrive

Channel your inner design superstar and head to your local thrift store or Facebook Marketplace. Look for solid furniture pieces that just need a little TLC. A coat of chalk paint and some new hardware can transform a drab dresser into a Pinterest-worthy masterpiece. Plus, upcycling is sustainable, so you’ll get to humblebrag about saving the planet and your wallet.

There are plenty of videos on YouTube to take a look at on how to redecorate furniture, what paint to use, what you need for sanding, etc. It's quite a win since YouTube is free as well (well if you don't mind watching ads that it)!

Pro Tip: Check for sturdy construction when thrifting – solid wood or metal pieces are easier to refurbish than particleboard.

Pro Pro Tip: Ikea is great to flip if you don't like upcycling (no judgement here)! You do have to find the right piece of furniture and sizing, but you can easily make something from Ikea (which can does have a tendency to look cookie cutter) look completely unique or vintage.

Command Hooks: The Unsung Heroes of Organization

So I started this off with a sentence about Millennials and renting and avocado toast, but honestly go eff the headlines. Some of us are stuck renting because of circumstances out of our control. I'm not going to get into that, but if you are stuck renting, I need you to know something...MAKE YOUR SPACE YOURS. Talk to your landlord - some of them are pretty good at letting you paint a space or something similar.

If your landlord sucks, you can still make your spaces yours and get your security deposit back. First take a look at Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper: Your Walls, Your Rules - great way to decorate a space for renters. Second, the landlords that we're talking about might not be so keen on you nailing anything into the wall. Enter Command hooks and strips. Use them to hang art, organize backpacks by the door, or create a gallery wall of your kid’s Picasso-level finger paintings (btw I do love these frames from amazon - and my kids do too - but they suck with command hooks. How do I know that? Because I tried and failed). They’re affordable, renter-friendly, and come off without a trace. Magic, right?

Pro Tip: Use Command strips with higher weight ratings for items like mirrors or larger frames to ensure they stay secure.

Pro Pro Tip: When it comes time to move from the space or the apartment. Make sure you are able to get a piece of the paint or a paint color sample somehow, in case the paint peels off when you peel off the command strip. A lot of landlords or people may not apply the wall paint on properly which will lead to paint peeling. It's no biggie and it's easy to fix (cue YouTube again), but it's worth having the right color paint.

Swap Meets and DIY Decor Parties

Who says you have to spend big bucks to revamp your space? Host a decor swap with friends where you exchange gently used items like throw pillows, lamps, or wall art. For extra fun, add a DIY craft session – think macrame plant hangers or hand-painted terracotta pots. It’s a great excuse to socialize while giving your home a fresh look on the cheap.

Pro Tip: Set a theme for your decor swap to keep the vibe cohesive – like boho chic or modern minimalist.

Mood Lighting, Minus the Splurge

Nothing says “we’ve got it together” like good lighting. Swap harsh overheads for string lights, LED strips, or battery-powered puck lights. Layering different light sources can make your space feel cozy and intentional, even if the kids’ toys are still scattered everywhere.

Now what everyone means by different layering different light sources is that there should be a mix between floor lamps, table lamps, sconces, etc. Not only will it help with darker areas that need it, but also, it creates the layered affect because of the different heights of each light source. It may be a subtle change, but it is an instant mood changer.

I don't have any floor lamps in my home just yet because honestly I just don't trust my kids yet (lol), but they are great to have. In my house we mostly have table lamps and sconces. The overhead lighting gets to harsh in our house because it is smaller and it just feels like your on display for some reason. With the table lamps and sconces, it creates a great warmth and cozy atmosphere that is great in the morning when you're just waking up or at night when you need to calm everything down.

You could easily add some under cabinets or staircases. These ones from amazon are great for cabinets because it remembers what intensity and warmth color from what you previously put, and they help at night when you still want some light in the kitchen, but the bright lights aren't necessary anymore.

Pro Tip: If you aren't sure where to layer your lighting, stick to areas that tend to stay darker without the lighting you have now. Add something there if you can.

Pro Tip: Use warm-toned bulbs for a relaxing atmosphere, and opt for dimmable options to adjust the vibe as needed. For a sustainable feature, make sure to grab the LED lightbulbs, which can come in a variety of colors.

Rugs to the Rescue

OMG LOVE ME A RUG!!!! These are my FAVORITE decor items!

Rugs are like magic carpets for your home – they can define a space, add warmth, and (if you can't remodel) hide less-than-perfect floors. They not only make budget-friendly options that you can find at discount stores or online marketplaces, but they make stain-proof and washable rugs! WHATTTT! I'm looking at you - you family of multiple kids and pets. Layer smaller rugs for a trendy, bohemian vibe or use a large one to pull together your living room.

Pro Tip: Use rug tape or a non-slip pad to keep rugs in place, especially in high-traffic areas.

Repurpose Everyday Items

Honestly, sometimes the best decor is already in your home. Turn mason jars into vases, old crates into shelves, or wine bottles into candle holders. This is where Pinterest (and YouTube...again lol) is going to be your best friend here! Not only will you save money, but you’ll also create unique pieces that add character to your space. Plus, it’s a great way to flex those DIY muscles.

Pro Tip: Before repurposing, clean and prep items thoroughly, and consider a fresh coat of paint or finish for a polished look.

So there's you have it!

Designing a beautiful home on a budget isn’t just possible; it’s practically a superpower. With a little creativity and a dash of elbow grease, you can turn your space into a haven that reflects your style and works for your family. So go forth and decorate – your dream home is just a DIY project away!

If you know of any other ways, let us know in the comments! It's a space to share ideas - big or small all ideas are welcome! Or if you have any questions (or just want to chat), don't be afraid to ask us!

x Citrus Velvet Interiors

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