Whether you’re outfitting your first apartment or feathering your retirement cottage, bringing out personal style in your home doesn’t have to leave you with an empty wallet. Here are some money-saving decorating tips you should consider when setting up a new place.

Use Photographs as Wall Art

Beautiful frames can be found in thrift stores and discount shops nationwide, so why should you pay hundreds of dollars for paintings or other wall art? Select some of your favorite photographs, save them to a thumb drive and take them to a local print shop. Have them printed on high-quality paper, trim them and hang them up in the frames. Not only will this lend a personal touch to your home, it can save you quite a chunk of change.

Understand the Beauty of Refurbishing

If your wooden kitchen table is looking rather hobo-chic and you’d prefer it be a bit more polished, spend a weekend stripping, sanding and repainting it rather than dropping hundreds on a new one. The same can be said for nearly all wood furniture. While stripping and refinishing may seem like a daunting task, new low-odor formulas make it easier than ever to lay down a tarp in the garage and remake your scuffed, curbside finds into beautiful showpieces.

Invest in Good Quality Furniture

Sometimes, there is just no saving that hideous floral couch from the 70s or Grandpa’s ancient armchair. When you do buy new furniture, make sure you get something of higher quality that will be comfortable on long-lasting. You can find furniture in Whitehall, PA that will look great in any style of home. You will pay a bit more for the initial purchase, but tried-and-true brands will last decades longer than some poorly-constructed, no-name pieces from a big box store. Shop smart by not necessarily settling for the cheapest option.

Embrace Texture

A new set of bright throw pillows can really brighten up a living room, and a warm, cozy rug can make the den more inviting. No matter what your personal preferences, choose textures throughout your home to add visual interest and make your space inviting. If you live in an area that experiences cold weather, draping an eye-catching throw over the back of your favorite chair will be both functional and add a pop of color to a room.

Adding personal touches to your living space doesn’t have to involve a personal interior designer or a budget with a comma in the total. Shopping smart, refurbishing and adding texture and personal photographs can make your place feel more like a home.