I wish I could say I made this wreath myself but I didn’t (maybe next year or when I have more patience). I knew I had a specific budget that didn’t permit me to shop at stores like Pier1 or Pottery Barn. So, the next best thing was HomeGoods and it cost me less than $20.
The idea was for our home to have the traditional warm fall colors, while making the decor chic and unique. Once again, my good friend HomeGoods had the perfect pumpkins I was looking for. And they were less than or equal to $20. I also reused a vase I saved from my wedding (last year) to put natural leaves in it. The leaves were bought at Publix (my local supermarket), and the vase is from Goodwill.
Side note: it’s a good idea to save candles that are almost finished. The white and orange candle pictured above, isn’t supposed to be like that. I accidentally dropped a “pumpkin spice” candle that was gifted to me last year and shattered the glass. So I simply put what was left into an old candle. And…Voila!
YUM! Food. That’s what fall and the holiday season, is all about (kind of). These napkins were probably my biggest expense but so worth it because they can be used all year round. They have different sayings on them: yum, delish and dig in. I found those at Nordstrom for $5 each.
The accent on the napkin, pictured above, was made out of a wheat bundle that I got at Publix. I picked out a few interesting looking pieces of wheat from the bundle, arranged them together and tied them with a piece of thread. Each table setting has one mini wheat arrangement. OH, and they smell “delish”.
It’s very probable that I put this blue pumpkin (also bought at HomeGoods for less than $20) on every table or countertop in my home. It didn’t seem to look right anywhere. I have to credit my friends for inspiring me to use my tray as a decor spot. They had some fall decor in theirs, and my lightbulb came on. There were some left over leaves from the branch I bought at Publix, so I used them to add a bit of contrast to the blue pumpkin. (Pairing complimentary colors, like blue and orange, can make a simple arrangement look bolder and stronger.)
Doesn’t the candle above look cool in its “melty” stage? The candle was bought at HomeGoods, the candle holder was a wedding gift, and the tray was a gift from my neighbor. I use both the candle holder and the tray all year round.
I have a love/hate relationship with these wooden circular vases. Finding these cost efficient vases for our wedding, was not an easy task. But now they are used for a lot of my home decorating.
The rocks inside the wooden vases, hold a special place in my heart, as they are what they call “Wishing Stones”. The guest at our wedding wrote special messages on stones for us to keep. To add a little fall flare to these vases, I stacked them and added some pieces of wheat in them.
These vases are placed next to a “nook” I’m working on… hopefully I’ll have pictures of the nook soon.
By now you must have noticed how much I LOVE the rustic look. I’m obsessed! This slab is truly significant to my husband and me. It says our names, our wedding date and it was the centerpiece at our sweetheart table at our wedding. I use this everywhere in our home. This fall I am using it to hold a candle. Simple, sweet and special.
It is possible to decorate your home on a budget. Here are some tips I learned along the way:
1. Stick to your budget (Luke 16:10-13)
When I go shopping, I have decided to withdraw the amount of cash I am going to spend. No more, no less. Sometimes when I know I can SWIPE a card, it’s easy to go over my spending limit. If I didn’t have time to make it the bank, I add up the cost of the items in my cart before I reach the register. If it’s over the budget, I remove items and proceed. It’s not worth being in debt just because I “need” to have this or that.
2. Reuse and reinvent
Do some research on the web (blogs, Pinterest, google), on how you can use what you currently own for seasonal decorating. For example, if you have a white vase that you use often, search “White vase fall decor ideas”. Trays, candle holders, vases are pieces you can use all year round. All you have to do is a add seasonal flare to them.
3. Explore with color
Color adds personality and life to any room. When using complimentary color, you can be sure that your space will have a striking and bold look. Using neutral colors will make a space look elegant and timeless. If you’re afraid that a neutral look might look bland, you can add bright colors like orange or yellow to the mix.
4. Put some heart into it
Make sure to incorporate little things here and there that remind you of what’s truly important. I like to use my wishing stones as part of my decor because they remind me to be thankful for my family and friends. And my wooden slab, reminds me to honor and be faithful to the commitment I made to my husband on our wedding day.
5. It doesn’t have to be perfect
We might get caught up in buying the perfect things or making it look like an ad from a magazine, but what’s the fun in that? Perfect is boring. Get your creative juices flowing with some DIY, purchase cool inexpensive pieces, or reuse pieces you’ve forgotten about. The whole point is to have fun and make your living space feel like your home.
If you’re looking for a home decor blog that helps you stay within your budget, has amazing inspiration and practical advice, you must head over to The Nesting Place. It’s my favorite!
What ideas do you have to decorate your living space for this fall?
Do you have any practical advice, or stores you shop at, that helps you manage your budget well?
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