Decorating on a college budget can be quite a hassle, especially when you want your space to look cute and put together without exceeding your budget. For some reason, my favorite part of my bedroom to decorate is my nightstand. My nightstand reflects my lifestyle which includes traveling, reading, and spending time with the people I love. The nightstand in my room has definitely been a work in progress, but through the process, I’m finding ways to save money and stay on budget.
My first tip for decorating your nightstand while staying on a budget is to utilize what you already have. I use knickknacks from my travels while studying abroad last year and now display them on my nightstand. Using knickknacks and trinkets you already have is a great way to remind yourself daily of past adventures and memories. Knickknacks can be anything from a mini Eiffel Tower you got in Paris, France, to a small memento your grandma gave you for your eighth birthday.
Another tip I have for decorating on a budget is to use books to decorate. I personally love decorating with coffee table books because they’re usually designed for display and have great content inside as well! Stacking books is a great way to take up space and add color. Adding knickknacks on top of the stacked books is one of my favorite ways to style my nightstand.
I love displaying photos of my loved ones on my nightstand. Photos are super cheap to print out and you can buy a frame while staying on any budget. This will make your nightstand décor more personal and you’ll be surrounded by pictures of people you love.
If you’re trying to stay on budget while decorating, spray paint should be your best friend! If you see something you like that isn’t necessarily a color that’ll match your décor, a coat or two of spray paint will make it your own and transform it into a completely new item. Take for example this lamp: it was blue before but my mom spray painted it to make it green.
Instead of spending money on buying new flowers every week, buy fake ones! Plants and flowers are a great way to give your space a fresh vibe and bring the outdoors in.
Some of my favorite places to shop for affordable home décor items are Target and Marshall’s. You can also find unique secondhand items at Salvation Army and Goodwill.
What are your tips for decorating on a budget? Let me know in the comments below.
