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I have a *slight* addiction to home decor and absolutely love decorating spaces to feel cozy, unique, and most importantly, home-y! I love diy, handmade art, and inexpensive decor that looks like it could’ve been expensive. I’m so excited to share with you these easy home decor tips to make your space feel home-y on a budget, so read on & get inspired! (Plus, I’ve linked a few of my inexpensive home decor must-haves for you to shop!)

1. House Plants

House plants always make a house feel like a home IMO! The touch of green brightens up any space, and plants are also really good for purifying your home air while making things feel more fresh! How to find inexpensive plants? Keep an eye out for the sale rack at your local Home Depot or Lowe’s and you’ll find a lot of plants that are priced dirt cheap (pun intended) and might need a little TLC to bring back to health. I found a neglected lemon tree years ago in these sections and it’s now healthy and happy, so if you have a green thumb and don’t want to spend a lot, this could be a great option. Another way to keep costs down is to look for vintage or thrifted planters for a unique factor without the high price tag!

Shop my favorite inexpensive planters below (they’re vintage finds, too!)…

2. Mood Lighting

Lamps are my love language. I have a lamp on almost every table or flat surface of my house. Excessive? Yeah. Absolutely worth it? Very. Lamps provide a lot more coziness and ambiance than overhead lighting, and they’re easier and cheaper to install than wired light fixtures (literally, plug and play). Plug in lamps are also pretty inexpensive, and come in literally every iteration and style! I love unique lighting, and bonus points if it’s dimmable or has a cool, glowy shade!

Shop my affordable lamps picks below (including a few that I have!)…

3. Books

A good mix of books can say a lot about you, and make your home cozy due to that personal-factor they bring. I’m not overly coordinated with my books in terms of color scheme, or arrangement, because I actually do read a lot and feel like overly-perfect books and spaces can feel cold and uninviting, like a museum. Display your books proudly, and don’t be afraid to delve into new areas or topics for an eclectic mix of books that make your home unique to you!

If you don’t have many books and need a place to start, shop my favorite coffee table books below on a variety of topics…

4. Throw Blankets

I am a throw blanket fiend. I can’t stand lounging on a couch without one! Probably because I am always cold… Anyway… Throw blankets are the epitome of comfort and coziness, and they’re what every lived-in, home-y home needs IMO. You don’t have to spend a lot on throw blankets; choose one or many that are relevant to your lifestyle (think easy wash if you have kids or pets) and decor style (woven, plush, etc.).

Shop my favorite inexpensive throw blankets below…

5. Scented Candles

Whenever my mom had scented candles burning around the house as a kid, I automatically just felt a sense of peace and contentment, like a relaxing day at the spa. Especially on rainy afternoons with the windows opened to the screens and music playing while my mom cooked. Scented candles are another cozy, home-y essential in my book, and I usually have one in the kitchen, bathrooms, and bedrooms to always have things smelling pleasant.

Shop my favorite scented and unscented candles, plus affordable candle holders, below…

6. Pillows

My husband hates that I love these… Yes I have a lot of them, but I love snuggling with a plush pillow. Plus, they just make couches and benches and chairs look “finished” like the cherry on a sundae. Piles of pillows (within reason obvi) make me feel happy and cozy, with just a touch of indulgence sprinkled in there. Pillow cases are a great way to refresh old pillows on a budget, while smaller pillows are a great budget and space friendly way to add seasonal touches to your home (think holiday pillows specifically).

Shop my affordable throw pillow picks below…

7. Wall Art

Okay, I’m an artist in my spare time, so I have no shortage of wall art, much of which I made myself, but I also love vintage and thrifted wall art. I loooove scouring antique stores for unique wall decor, and having something on the walls that speaks to your personal style sensibilities and eye brings a sense of warmth to a space. I especially loved adding wall art when we rented prior to buying a home because rental walls are often so bland! If you’re extra like me, painting your own murals is an incredibly fun and unique way to make your home your own art, or heading to Michael’s and getting canvases/paint to experiment on a smaller scale is equally as personal and fun, especially as a family activity!

Shop my picks for vintage and affordable wall decor below…

8. Area Rugs

Warm up cold floors with a unique area rug. I personally hate cold floors, so I love bringing textures and colors to a previously blank canvas by incorporating rugs. They’re also great for defining spaces like a living or dining area in an open-concept room! Rugs cost a little more in terms of home decor, but there are plenty of inexpensive rugs out there that still bring the design factor for less.

Shop my favorite affordable area rugs below…

9. Prints

I’m a print and pattern fanatic. I love mixing prints and patterns for an eclectic, unique home space that feels simultaneously curated and lived-in. Balance out soft florals with geometric prints, and curves with stripes. Whatever prints you like and speak to you! Personalization = home-y.

Shop my favorite printed home decor below…

10. Textures

Too much of the same texture can be a little boring and feel imbalanced, so mix in contrasting and coordinating textures to your home decor for a cozy, harmonious space. Think wood textures with natural elements like shells, rattans, and wicker with plush textures like velvet, knits, and tweeds. Or marble and metal finishes with carved wood and stonewear pottery.

Shop my favorite home decor items that bring on the texture…

Curating your home decor for a cozy and home-y house is an evolving process; it’s taken me years to amass decor and redecorate again and again before I’ve found what I like and feels comforting to me! Keep exploring and getting inspired when it comes to home decor, and find what speaks to you. As always, be sure you’re subscribed to my blog for more fashion, home, travel, and lifestyle content and inspiration and let me know what kinds of home decor you like in the comments!

Xx Tabi