Vacation: the best time of the year. If you have a permanent location for your getaways, such as a cottage or a townhouse, decorating can be an adventure. However, the feeling might not be mutual with your wallet if you don't count your pennies first.
Here are 12 easy ways you can decorate your vacation home without breaking the bank.
Drastically change your drab sofa with a simple slipcover
Not only does a slipcover improve an old sofa upholstery, but it also can brighten up the entire room. Megan from TwoFeetFirst has a step-by-step process that looks easy and attractive.
An added bonus to using a slipcover in a vacation home? Reduced damage to the couch during for months.
Related: 57 Best Vacation Spots for Families
Brighten up your coffee table with a cute stencil design
Does painting your coffee table sound boring? Try a stencil pattern! Michelle from Cutting Edge Stencils includes a coffee table stencil piece in her list of things you can decorate with stencil patterns.
You can make an old table look brand new without changing the color of the entire piece.
Re-purpose gift bags and hang them in your bathroom
This might sound strange, but Dezinefun from YouTube cut up gift bags and framed them as a part of her bathroom decor. You can also use this idea somewhere else in the house.
It's more cost effective than buying paintings of the same size, and the pictures are just as beautiful. Be sure to check out the rest of Dezinefun's video for more bathroom decoration ideas.
Create cute throw pillows from unwanted sweaters
Old sweaters taking up room in the closet? Maybe they are gathering dust in your vacation home closet for the winter months. Cami from TidBits shares her idea of transforming sweaters into pillows.
Even if it isn't winter, this is an adorable addition to a couch or a window seat.
Mount some painted plates on your living room wall
If you are a thrift store shopper, try this one. A French DIY website shows a step-by-step process of how to paint plates. While this is meant for the table, Kristi from Addicted 2 Decorating gives some examples of ways to arrange the plates on the wall.
Perfect if you're looking for something crafty after the sweater pillows are finished.
Transform ordinary wood into a unique lamp
Especially if your vacation home is located in an area with plenty of fallen logs or driftwood, try building your own lamp. This post from Homesthetics lists 15 different ideas and provides sources where you can check out the how-to for each one.
Perfect for anyone looking for that rustic feel.
Recycle unused or unusual items and display them on your walls
Do you have some items in the closet that you just can't think of a way to use? Perhaps you found a few things at a thrift store that you couldn't live without, but also can't find a place for.
Maybe try some of the ideas found in this post. No matter what room you are looking to decorate, there is something here for you. Try a vintage look or go out on a limb. The choice is yours and the possibilities are endless.
Save those old towels for a brand new rug
So many towels sit on our shelves for months without being touched. Clear up the clutter with this idea from Fine Craft Guild for eco-friendly towel rugs.
You will not have to spend a penny on the main materials and your bathroom floor will be a little brighter and a lot cleaner looking.
Spruce up your living room furniture with wooden pallets
Pallet Furniture DIY is full of ideas for building things out of wooden pallets. For a unique look in your living room, try a love seat or a couch made from pallets.
It's easy to disassemble and move if you want to rearrange, and you can't beat the classic rustic look. Perfect for the lovers of constant change or the people who just need more simplicity in their lives.
Save your memories by hanging them on the wall
Do you have photos from previous vacations that just have to be displayed? Kristen Bousquet over at Stylecaster has a slideshow of 20 different ways to display photos on the wall.
It's a surefire way to cover a blank, boring wall, and the family will love it.
Organize the master bedroom with a floating shelf
If you are open to a little more work for the same low price, maybe a floating shelf is more up your alley. Over at Shanty 2 Chic, you can find out how to build a floating corner shelf.
Perfect for anyone who wants to make the best use of their space while decorating. Don't forget to add some personalized knick knacks when you're finished!
Organize your kitchen without losing the cute factor
There are so many ways to make your kitchen look cute and organized at the same time. Just take a look at Dreaming In DIY's post about budget friendly ways to save space. Pick one or try them all, it's up to you. Happy organizing!
Time to decorating your vacation home!
If you are looking to decorate your vacation home without hurting your bank account, don't hesitate to try something on this list. You can cover your furniture or build something new, re-purpose an old item or go scavenging for a previously loved one.
Paint, stencil, hammer, cut, sew, hang, or weave. There are limitless possibilities out there. You could start small with a towel rug or a wooden lamp, or you could go all out and build a shelf or a pallet couch.
No matter what you decide to try, don't forget that you have plenty of time! Take it slow or try everything you canit's completely your decision. Explore your creativity and don't forget to share your ideas with others!
