Quick Ways to Spruce up Your Home Décor

You don't have to spend oodles of cash to create gorgeous, thoughtfully decorated rooms. Sprucing up your home is as easy as walking outside, picking flowers from the garden and sticking them in an old wine bottle. It's as easy as repainting an old piece of furniture a vibrant color; it's as easy as tossing a few thrift store throw pillows onto your bed or couch. The goal is to think frugally and to keep in mind that details make all the difference.

Textiles play a huge role in your overall décor scheme, notes interior designer Shandra Ward. If you're looking for a quick fix, switch out your old curtains for a new set. "Add something bold and graphic," she says. Ward suggests striking patterns—Greek key prints, for example—and cheery colors such as yellow.

Add fresh flowers to every room if possible. Even a single stem adds ambiance to your abode, says Rekha Krishnamurthi, a New York-based textile and home accessories designer. Alternatively, make your own paper flowers. "Making crepe paper flowers is not only an enjoyable DIY project, but also a great way to have permanent flowers in bloom all year long that never die, wilt or need care," says Krishnamurthi.

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Celebrity interior designer Nicole Sassaman laments with the rest of us when it comes to exorbitant kitchen décor costs. Her advice? Replace all the handles, pulls and knobs on your cabinets and drawers. "It's a quick and easy renovation that instantly updates the space," she says. You can do this for any furniture and in any room for an instant décor face-lift.

Contrary to popular belief, hair isn't the only thing that needs conditioner. All your wooden furniture and leather items should be conditioned at least once per year with a wood or leather conditioning product. This is particularly beneficial for dry climates or after a dry winter season. Conditioning wood and leather brightens the furniture, nixes scuffs and can make a noticeable difference in your overall décor.

Any designer will tell you that lighting is key when creating ambiance and style in your home. "Replace or add a lighting fixture to your room for a new look," suggests Sassaman. "If you can't spare the budget, paint your current fixture and/or add new shades to it. There's no electrician needed for that."

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While you don't have to dive head first into minimalism territory, reducing clutter drastically improves ambiance. "Clear out that pile of magazines or books in the family room or next to the bed; pare down accessories on end tables and dressers; and stash the inevitable 'stuff' in a pretty basket or bin," advises Deanne Marie, lifestyle and design expert. Once you've de-cluttered, rearrange your room to create a completely new look. "Even something as simple as angling the sofa can make a difference," says Marie.

Repainting an entire room is a lot of work. Instead of going to all that trouble, consider painting only a few "accent" pieces instead. For instance, you can paint a bedroom door, use the ceiling as a fifth wall or paint an old piece of furniture to add a pop of color to the room.

In addition to—or as an alternative to—painting one wall, try wallpapering one wall. "You'll create an added layering design without breaking into too many layers of your wallet," says Sassaman. "I suggest wallpapering the wall that the bed is against."

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"Throw pillows can add so much to a room," notes Danielle Driscoll, who runs the Finding Silver Pennies blog. "Bright pillows can add a punch of color to a neutral couch, and they can cover any pen marks where the kids may have added their own design." Driscoll is particularly fond of ikat, nautical and stripe designs. Check out your neighborhood thrift stores or the clearance sections of local and online shops for great deals.