I think you would be surprised and some of the cost efficient ways to drastically improve your space that actually are quite affordable.

As someone that has been a renter and homeowner that does live pay check to pay check it can be tricky to come up with enough funds to create a big impact in your home.

In this article I will give you all the top ideas on how to make a big impact with a small budget. 

 Big impact small budget home decorating ideas.

1. Paint

Well I think this is a given paint can quite literally change how a space feels and for relatively cheap. However, if you are not looking to do something drastic with paint it will make the space brighter and cleaner looking but won't make a huge impact.

So here are two ways I would use paint to make a big impact on a small budget and this costs less than painting a full room. 

Paint interior doors this adds so much interest to your home and cost less too! painted interior doors are having a moment you are seeing them more and more. 

Ditch the classic white doors or wood and paint with a more saturated colour. Now what colour you go with will depend on your home design style but I'm a huge fan of greige it's soft not to dark, a little cool tone and a little warm. 

Some of my favourite options for a softer greige option are Balboa mist by Benjamin Moore or stone hearth by Benjamin Moore but I think its better lighten 25%. another great option is Benjamin Moore classic grey. 

If you are thinking you want a bigger impact and make the doors stand out I would definitely go with black. Best black is black satin Benjamin Moore.

If you want impact and want to make the doors darker but don't want to commit to black or the harshness of black try soot by Benjamin Moore its a blacken grey with a hint of blue.

It will pull more grey/ navy in certain lights and if your floors are warmer it will pull out the blue as well It will read as a black but the grey and blue undertones will soften it. 

Below is BM soot on my dresser. It look more navy here because I paired it with Burgundy stems but rooms that don't get a lot of light or a hallway it will look more dark grey it's so beautiful.

Painted wall treatment Okay this might be my favourite new way to make a huge impact in a space that honestly doesn't costs much money. 

Faux lime wash, it makes your walls looks textural, creates so much movement and interest and gives your space an earthy organic vibe which I feel makes your home feels calm relaxed and my favourite cozy. 

Now I get that this is a bit of trend right now however I think this trend isn't going anywhere anytime soon plus its just paint so if you are over it just cover with more paint. 

I did this in my master bath and had no clue what I was doing and it turned out perfectly so this is super easy even if your not good at painting like myself.

you need a large brush and two different colours of paint that are no more than three levels difference. I will say earthy muted tones work best this is creating a clay/ stone like finish on the wall so I think earthy tones work best. 

Poor paint on either side of tray dip the brush into each colour and make small x patterns on the walls. You will need to do two layers so this process can be time consuming but wow wow wow is the finish amazing. 

Picture below is my master bath room I used Himalayan terk and natural cream by Benjamin Moore.

2. Rug

An area rug is such a great way to make a big impact in the space. It can really ground the space furniture can feel like its floated with out a rug under it. By adding a rug you can tie al the colour in the space together, it add texture to a space to which can soften the space.

Switching out a rug that's to small and a solid colour with something larger that fits the space and has texture and pattern can up that cozy inviting factor and can actually make your space feel larger. 

If you have wall to wall carpet I will sit add a area rug to the space. This will ground lt the furniture and breakup the solid look from wall to wall carpet.

3. window dressings

Okay so I'm not a big fan of blinds or shutters im sorry that's just my opinion. They just look heavy in a room to me and I love the flowiness, if that's even word lol and texture that curtains and roman shades provide. 

Swaping out your shudders or blinds with curtains is a great way to make a big impact in a space. Even if you have blinds just add curtains to soften the look and add some texture.

So how do you do this affordably? well best places to shop are IKEA, amazon. 

Favourite amazon curtains a little bit more than IKEA but so amazing Here

The Amazon curtains also have adjustable clips you you can adjust the length without having to hem the them, genius!

Favourite IKEA curtains  Here

I think Ikea for me is one of the best if you live in the US amazon has more section but we are limited here in Canada so ikea is my go to for affordability. 

Now things to remember make sure your curtains don't stop to short you want them to kiss the floor. You may have to buy longer and them just hem with fabric tape so easy.

I love from Ikea now each panel is 57 inch but to make a big impact and to look more custom buy two panels for each side of window so you will need 2 sets of 2 per window this makes them look so full and luxurious even though you didn't have to spend to much. 

Place your rod as high as you can go to the ceiling I actually prefer about 4 to 6 inches away from the ceiling. 9ft ceiling are 108 inches. so you will need to order 102 inch curtains these will just kiss the floor if you are 6 inches from the ceiling. 

It's hard to find 102 inch curtains amazon has a few but you can buy 108 and hem. If your ceiling height is 8 ft that's 96 inches I would follow the same rule leave about 6 inches from the ceiling so most pre- made curtains come in 96" or 98" you will just have to hem them or you can let them gather on the floor for a more relaxed look.

Adding even inexpensive curtains to a room can drastically make a huge impact.

4. Peel and stick tile

Well I know the peel n stick flooring isn't for everyone but I tried and let me tell this makes a huge impact to a space. 

I used the floor pops peel n stick flooring by Chris loves julia and I don't even care that I covered over decent ceramic tiles to do it.

This flooring cost me $100 and the transformation it provides to my bathroom was amazing. 

These are renter friendly options and budget friendly. Floor pops have lots of styles to choose from but I loved this white and grey marble checkered floor. Very trendy but still classic. 

If you want to make a big impact and you can't afford the cost of real tiles then this is hands down the way to go.

Like this bathroom read how I re-design this bathroom for a little less than $350 here

5. Update the jewelry in the home

Changing up the hardware and fixture In a space can really make the space feel updated and more high end. 

Swap out you old or standard builder cabinet hardware for something more heavy and high quality will change the look of your kitchen or bathroom. 

Same with the facets and lighting these easy changes can really amp up your space for relatively affordable price.

6. Create push and pull

Creating juxtaposition, or push and pull in your home can improve you space and create so much interest making this a great way to add impact. 

Creating this so easy in the home it's basically mixing old with new and mixing design styles as well. Its a great way to make a big impact with a small budget.

First off we are starting to see design styles merge more and more to the point where its hard to determine the persons design style. 

We are seeing multiple design styles in a home and this is creating a push and pull effect which is making big impacts in homes. This is also making homes feel more intimate, comfortable, and relaxed which I love.

Here's an example, lets say you have a modern vintage style, and you have an empty corner. Take a modern traditional chair, pair with vintage rug antique accent table, with a modern lamp. Add a gallery wall with vintage and modern framed art and a vintage inspired throw pillow and linen throw and you have successfully created a space fill with push and pull elements. 

 It really does create such calming environment and is a great way to make a huge impact.

Mixing old and new decor and furniture items really is becoming popular and I highly recommend to give this a try.

Small budget try adding a vintage inspired rug to a kitchen or front entry. Or antique unit to a modern entryway that maybe has marble floor tiles and or molding on the walls.

These are my tips on how  make a big impact small budget home decorating ideas.