6 Home Decor Items That Are OK to Buy Cheap (and No One Will Know the Difference)

Whether you’re renovating an entire house or just redecorating one room, there are some things you know are going to be a splurge no matter what, such as mattresses, sofas, and dining tables. While you can spend a pretty penny on lots of items for the home—that doesn’t mean you should. There are many items you can easily scrimp on to stay within your budget, without sacrificing style or functionality. Here are six things for the home you can always buy cheap.

Side Tables

Unlike a desk, coffee table, or dining table—side tables or occasional tables aren’t subject to a lot of wear and tear. So paying for the highest quality isn’t crucial. Rather, you should look for something inexpensive that easily blends in with a room’s aesthetic. This is particularly true for small spaces.

Decorative Items

Decorative pieces that sit on a shelf rarely gets much wear and tear, this is especially true for candle holders, vases, book ends, and art. Unless you’re buying something very specific or handmade, you can always find accessibly-priced decor everywhere from your local thrift store to Amazon and Wayfair. Retailers like Bloomingdales also frequently run sales if you’re looking for a deal on a brand-name product.

Organizers 

We’ve all seen celebrity and influencer kitchens. From the cabinet to the spice drawer, everything from a pound of rice to a quart of milk is decanted and arranged in clear containers by color. While acrylic organizers can be on the expensive side, especially if you need to buy a lot at once, they are often discounted at stores like HomeGoods. So it pays to shop around.

Kitchen Tools

There are certain things in your kitchen that are worth paying extra for, such as a set of knives, cast iron cookware, and quality appliances. But no one needs a $40 silicone spatula or a $34 lemon squeezer. For most home cooks, there’s no reason to splurge on expensive kitchen tools or gadgets when less expensive options are available. Amazon always has excellent deals in this category, or wait for a sale at your favorite retailers, such as Williams-Sonoma or Sur la Table.

Table Linens

Tablecloths, placemats, runners, and napkins are a great way to dress up a table when you’re having people over. They’re also a nice everyday luxury for a simple dinner with the family. While you can spend hundreds of dollars on tablecloths and linen napkins—it’s not necessary. First of all, between salad spills and sauce splashes, there’s a pretty good chance your expensive tablecloth or runner is going to get stained. So, opt for affordable options that you can easily wash and swap out. (Ikea is a great place to find budget-friendly table linens that are still aesthetically pleasing.)

Hardware

Replacing the hardware on your kitchen or bathroom cabinets is far less expensive than renovating the entire kitchen or even repainting the cabinets. It’s also something that anyone with a screwdriver can quickly and easily do themselves. However, buying individual cabinet pulls and knobs quickly adds up. Instead, buy in bulk. You can find multi-packs of cabinet pulls that come out to about a dollar a piece.