15 BEST INTERIOR DESIGN BLOGGERS TO FOLLOW FOR BUDGET FRIENDLY INSPO

As Seen on domino.com

photography by DAVID LAND

Decorating a home can have its challenges, especially when there is a strict budget in place. So, if there is one thing these blogs have taught us, it’s that a style-focused home does not have to be a reflection of your budget - or lack thereof. Presenting in no particular order, our top 15 budget-friendly blogs for your design inspiration!

photography by READINGMYTEALEAVES

reading my tea leaves
When it comes to most things in life, simplicity is the name of the game for blogger and photographer Erin Boyle of Reading My Tea Leaves. The lifestyle blog focuses on anything and everything from the home to personal style, with each area encompassing the original theme of taking it back to the basics.

photography by DECOR8BLOG

decor8
We simply can’t get enough of Holly Becker’s colorful approach to design! The journalist, author, and stylist (!) fills her feed with captivating DIYs, design tips, and floral arrangements with beauty and simplicity in mind.

photography by BRIT + CO VIA COCO29

coco29
Life hacks and decorating ideas on a budget are only a few of the reasons why we love coco29. This design-savvy blog proves that a style-focused interior doesn’t always have to break the bank.

photography by LEóN LEóN VIA GRASSROOTS MODERN

grassroots modern
‘...modern contemporary style at an affordable price.’ That is the motto over at Grassroots Modern, a blog dedicated to creating a more approachable take on modern interior design. The duo behind the movement, Creede Fitch - a realtor with a knack for mid-century modern homes - and Capree Kimball - photographer and design blogger - each contribute a unique element and viewpoint, resulting in a one-of-a-kind resource for interior design.

photography by MAISONDEPAX

maison de pax
Painting and design-enthusiast Rachel of Maison de Pex consistently proves that effortless style and a stunning interior can be achieved with a little patience and determination. 

photography by YOUNGHOUSELOVE

young house love
Husband and wife, John and Sherry, began Young House Love back in 2007 as a source for documenting home renovations, DIY projects, and their budding family life. Fast forward nine years later, with three impressive renos under their belt, the now family of four has gone on to write two books and even dabbled in designing products. Follow along for some serious design eye candy, organization tips, and more!

photography by ALICE GAO FOR CUP OF JO

a cup of jo
Joanna Goddard’s rather impressive background is only one of the reasons why she has us completely infatuated with A Cup of Jo! From her budget-friendly DIYs to very helpful resources for providing tips on finding more affordable decor, Goddard’s keen eye for design never fails to please!

photography by THEBUDGETDECORATOR

the budget decorator
Design duo Kathy and Steve tackle the basics of interior design, with an affordable approach that doesn’t compromise on style. With helpful tips covering everything from color pairings and design styles to storage organization and DIY, there are an array of resources for the budding decorator!

photography by LITTLE GREEN NOTEBOOK

little green notebook
We have long been fans of Jenny Komenda’s. The interior designer and DIY extraordinaire never fails to please us with her easy-to-follow projects, big or small. From IKEA hacks to mini furniture makeovers, there are no shortage of budget-friendly design ideas and projects for all.  

Get the scoop on Komenda’s Chalkboard Painted Kids Table DIY!

photography by THEPAINTEDHIVE

the painted hive
Melbourne-based blogger Kristine knows a thing or two about budget-friendly design. With Pinterest-perfect furniture transformations (that never scrimp on style), thrift store rescues, and beautiful room reveals, the self-taught interior decorator always manages to deliver.

Get the scoop on this stunning linen dresser makeover!

photography by APARTMENT THERAPY

apartment therapy
This all-inclusive design blog has long inspired both interior designers and first-time decorators with a wealth of information that cover just about every single aspect of being a homeowner or renter. With style-savvy tips and money-saving tricks, this helpful site takes the sweat out of budget-living and decorating.

photography by THE MAKERISTA

the makerista
Gwen Hefner of The Makerista is no stranger to a good old home remodel or style-savvy DIY. Featuring an inspired collection of projects, design tips, and home tours, Hefner’s down-to-earth approach to decor is not only practical, it is effortlessly chic and always on point!

This DIY Wire Basket Coffee Table only cost $50!

photography by VINTAGEREVIVALS

vintage revivals 
As if the name wasn’t a dead giveaway, Mandi’s knack for transforming various vintage finds into mod must-have furnishings always has us coming back for more! (The stunning room reveals and mini makeovers may have something to do with it as well) If you ask us, a well-styled home would not be complete without an accent piece containing a personal or sentimental value. And, there  is nothing quite like proudly displaying a piece you have worked so hard to revamp!

photography by BRITTANY MAKES

brittany makes
Accountant by day and thrifty DIY-er by night, Brittany always has us coming back for more of her ultra chic tricks and transformations. The California-based designer’s budget-friendly projects guarantee an instant style revamp regardless of how big (or small!) the space and furnishing in question are.

Get the scoop on this mini gallery wall, here!

photography by THE INSPIRED ROOM

the inspired room
Melissa Michaels’s clever and resourceful approach to interior design will have you aching for a home makeover of your own. Follow along as Michaels tackles every room in her home, transforming each space with budget-friendly tricks and tips you won’t want to miss!

Thanks For Stopping By!!

Brooke XOXO

Inexpensive Ideas For Switching Up Your Home Decor

Pillows, Curtains, and Rugs; need I say more?

(Okay, I'll say a little bit more ;) )

If you're like me, you get bored with your home decor within 1-3 years.  Trends are constantly changing and some really great looks have been coming out lately. And...if you're like me, you can't do a total home makeover every few years due to finances.  Here are a few ideas to change up the look in your home without breaking the bank!

(Some great advice would be to start with some neutral furniture, or at least use colors that will stay on trend for years to come and really make you happy!)

Pillows!  We all love great throw pillows, and they can add great pops of color to any space.  Depending on where you buy them will depend on whether or not this is inexpensive.  Great places to find inexpensive pillows are Walmart, Target, Ross and TJ Maxx.  If you are swapping out pillows just temporarily, such as doing seasonal (example: Springy pillows) or Holiday, look for pillow covers!  I found a really cute pillow cover for less than $5 on amazon.com !   Whether it's a new look or just short-term for spring, pillows are a great way to change things up for a new look.




Curtains! Curtains can get pricey, just like pillows so it makes a difference where you purchase them, retailers listed above are also great places to search for a good deal on curtains.  Another tip, go straight to the clearance rack to look first, you may be pleasantly surprised.  Curtains can do several things for you.  If you want to add texture to your neutral space choose a curtain that has fringe, pom poms and or patterns.  You can add more color to any room or even make your ceiling appear higher by buying longer curtains and placing the curtain rod closer to the ceiling.  You can also switch out just the curtain rod. This picture is a great example of adding texture, pom poms are purple and will look perfect in my daughter's new room.  her room will have accents of black, so I will pair the curtains with a black iron curtain rod.  *Side note: I found these adorable curtains on several different websites, but the best price, even better than Walmart, was on jossandmain.com for $25.95.  So, do your homework, when you find an item you like, google the exact name, and you might find the exact item for less somewhere else!


Simple black iron curtain rod found on walmart.com for only $11.97.  If you have several curtain rods that might not be out of style but aren't the right color, spray paint! (matte black is super trendy right now)





Rugs!  Rugs are not cheap, I know!  However, if you are patient and search for a great deal, or wait for a big sale, save your money for when you know there will be sales, such as President's Day sales etc. Also, according to overstock.com January is the best time of year for rugs to go on sale.  Know what you want; color, style, material and don't settle for something else just because it's a good deal, you might find out too late the price reflects the quality. *Side Note: I highly recommend reading the article on overstock.com; Tips on Buying Cheap Rugs.  Seriously, great advice, and plus overstock.com is a great place to search for rugs.  I love the "boho" style rug, but I also like a great and simple black and white rug. This black and white rug can be found at .ikea.com for $79.99, 6'7 x 6'7.   This type of rug is great for that "neutral" piece, making it easy to switch everything else .


This is the style of rug I am saving up for, this particular rug is $575 for 5' x 8', on etsy.com, which is a great price, but still a little too much for me right now.

Bonus Tip!  Do you have plates displayed on your wall?  Here is an idea I learned the other day on a local Utah morning show.  Anytime you go to Target, you'll find cute seasonal plastic dishes.  When you want to brighten up that kitchen/dining room wall simply switch out the plates.  Also, using these discs are a great way to hang any type of dish without seeing the hanging wires, only $.99 on ebay.com.







This plastic plate from target.com is only $1.29, what a cute way to decorate for spring!  Plus if you keep the same design on the wall, and use the same size plates you won't ever have to worry about measuring again for the perfect look, just swap them out with each other.  Do this for holidays and seasons or for a fun way to change up the look in your home!



Thanks For Stopping By!

Brooke XOXO

Staging a Small Bedroom

As seen on homestaging.about.com

by Ronique Gibson

Home Staging Expert

This article provides great ideas of how to make a small bedroom look bigger and brighter, which we all want to have, but it also explains why that is important when selling your home.  Enjoy!

Decluttering Tips to Enlarge your Small Bedroom Visually

 Make your small bedroom appealing for buyers Photo Credit: Getty Images

One essential area buyers focus on when shopping for homes is space. Most buyers want to move to upsize their home and will not pay attention to small homes. The good news is even the smallest of homes can be enlarged visually.  The recent trend of more home buyers seeking homes in overcrowded communities means sellers have to get creative with their staging. A few simple adjustments can transform tiny homes, especially small rooms like bedrooms.

Remove Excess Clutter throughout your Bedroom

Getting rid of unnecessary furniture, and other home decor to create a spacious room that is attractive to buyers. Set aside time to stage your bedroom correctly before potential buyers view your home. The bedroom should feel like a retreat for buyers to enjoy each evening, but should also be a place for rejuvenating the spirit for the next day.  Here’s some simple ways to increase the visual space in your bedrooms.

Keep the Room Clean and Tidy

Cleaning and decluttering go hand in hand. The first thing you should do is remove all unnecessary furniture from the room. As inviting as your bedroom may be, its numerous belongings may be off-putting to buyers. Make sure that nothing is on the floor or on furniture surfaces. Remove family photos, stuffed animals, the TV, and other personal items. Store small items in pullout storage drawers under your bed.  The smaller the room is, the more essential it is for effective organization. 

A Smaller Bed Could Make your Bedroom Look Larger

Use fresh linen and bright colors in your bedroom. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Consider a Smaller Bed

Most bedrooms have king size beds which take up a lot of space. Replace your large bed with a queen bed or a full size bed to make the room seem bigger. If you are staging a kid’s room, use a twin bed. Position the bed in the middle of the wall opposite the bedroom door. It should be the first thing buyers see when they walk into the room. Beautify it with fresh linen, a comforter, and colorful throw pillows.

A bed that is too big for a room will visually decrease the square feet. While your home is on the market, resist the temptation to buy more furniture pieces. If you have to, choose small, comfy pieces that are not bulky.

Remove Excess Furniture

Large furniture pieces such as vanities and large dressers could be inessential and should be moved into another room of your home or put into storage. If your bedroom is really small, don’t add anything other than night tables and a small chair. Keep in mind that the purpose of staging the room is to define its purpose and not to show buyers how many furniture pieces it can accommodate. Ensure there is enough space for people to walk around and don’t block the flow of traffic with furniture.

Use Mirrors and Natural Light to Make your Bedroom Larger

Bring natural light into your bedroom. Photo Credit: Getty Images

Bring in Natural and Artificial Lighting

The power of good lighting cannot be overestimated.  Light can trick the eye and make a room look bigger than it actually is. Use plenty of light throughout the day when showing your bedroom. Open windows at daytime and ensure the bedroom lighting in the evening is varied. Place lamps on your bedside tables to soften the space. However, make sure they match because dissimilar ones can be a distraction.

You can get shabby-chic white lamps, black lacquered lamps, or even Asian-inspired lamps.  To give your small bedroom plenty of style, use window treatments properly. Choose those that soften harsh sunlight but still let in light. Window sheers behind window treatments help your bedroom have diffused light on extra bright and sunny days.

Decorate with Mirrors when Possible

Mirrors enlarge spaces by reflecting light from windows and lighting. They do not consume visual space but double it. They are an inexpensive way of filling the blank spaces on your walls. Place mirrors across windows to augment the light in your bedroom. You can also place a mirror across a piece of art to call attention to it.

Small rooms, especially bedrooms, can be hard to stage. Modern buyers want a lot of space and they can disregard your home if you have a small bedroom. But do not despair. Simply use these home staging tricks to make your bedroom appeal to as many buyers as possible. You will not only increase its size visually, you’ll make it stylish and cozy.

 If you are in the market for selling your home or buying a new one in Southern Utah, let me recommend Christina Sanchez with Equity Real Estate 435-669-5235!

Thanks For Stopping By! 
Brooke XOXO