Interior Design Your Home Without Spending a Fortune | Bedroom & Living Room Ideas That Look Expensive
Looking to interior design your home without spending a fortune? This post breaks down alll the essential living room and bedroom pieces you actually need.
If you want your space to feel beautiful, calm, and pulled together, like a boutique hotel but you don’t want to blow a bag, this post is definitely for you.
Whether furnishing a new apartment, redecorating you're home, or just trying to make your place feel more luxurious, you can absolutely interior design your home with affordable essentials that look wayyy more expensive than they are.
This guide focuses on two of the most important spaces in your home, the living room and the master bedroom. You'll get a full list of must have pieces, budget friendly finds, and styling tips you can follow even if you're not a designer.
Plus, we’ll touch on a few basic interior design rules, like the interior design rule of three, to help make everything look cohesive and professionally styled.
Oh, and if you're looking for home decor ideas images, no worries, I crafted both the living room and bedroom design so you can get an indepth feel for things.
This post is all about how to interior design your home.
Living Room Essentials That Make Your Space Feel Complete
When you're setting up a living room, certain pieces act as more than just decor, they’re foundational. You could go minimal or have seven different pieces, but either way, having the right basics help your space feel intentional, and cozy from the start. Here's my list of core living room essentials.
Core Essentials for the Living Room:
Area rug
Couch
Coffee table
Couch cushions
Plant (real or fake)
Wall art or framed photos
Accent chair or extra seating
Side table or end table
A few decorative pieces
These essentials aren’t about trends, they're about structure. They look good all the time no matter what theme you're aiming for. Once these are in place, you can build your aesthetic around them.
Color Palette Inspiration:
To create a welcoming living space with a pop of color, try a palette that mixes soft, earthy tones and cool neutrals. These color codes work beautifully together and can be used in paint, textiles, or accessories:
#758999 - soft, muted blue gray
#BBC3CA - silver blue
#C4C3A8 - sage gray
#E3E1DE - warm cream
This palette feels modern but calming, and it works across different design styles whether you lean farmhouse, boho, or contemporary.
Designing Your Living Room: Budget Friendly Favorites
1. Oversized Indoor Area Rug
Start from the ground up with a large area rug that defines your space. Choose one that's soft, neutral, and slightly oversized so it fits under your furniture. This small trick follows core basic interior design rules. Larger rugs always help rooms feel bigger and more finished. This one, a style with light gray and soft blue tones adds subtle personality without overwhelming the room.
2. Loveseat Sofa
If you're working with limited space, a loveseat sofa is a smart option. Look for one with a solid wood frame, simple lines, and easy assembly. This piece adds comfort and structure to your room while keeping the layout airy and open. It’s perfect for small apartments, tiny homes, or a one-person living space.
3. Round Modern Coffee Table
A round coffee table instantly softens up your space and encourages flow. Look for one in a light or neutral finish (cream, black, or espresso) to coordinate with your palette. This piece serves both style and function, acting as a centerpiece for your living room.
4. Framed Canvas Art (Set of 3)
Here’s where the interior design rule of three comes in. Grouping wall art in sets of three creates natural balance. Even if the set comes as two, consider buying an extra and using it elsewhere in your home. A soft ocean-toned canvas print brings a peaceful feel while tying in those blue gray tones.
5. Upholstered Accent Chair
A cozy accent chair with soft upholstery and wood legs adds a little luxury to your layout. Even if your living room is small, one extra seat can make the space feel more functional and layered.
6. Faux Olive Tree
Plants bring life into any room. This 6-foot olive tree adds height and texture without needing maintenance. It works well in corners or next to your couch and creates a designer look instantly.
7. Whitewashed End Table
A neutral-toned end table brings in texture and serves as the perfect home for a diffuser, lamp, book, or extra decor. Look for light wood tones like whitewash or ash to brighten up the space.
8. Boho Throw Pillow Covers
Cushion covers in light green and soft blue tones (especially in boho or farmhouse styles) bring in personality. Choose textured fabrics and mix solid tones with subtle patterns for a polished finish.
9. Reed Diffuser
Finish the look with a reed diffuser like this one, which smells as good as it looks. Choose a minimal style in a clean, light scent like linen or cotton. It elevates your living room without taking up much space and... earns major style points!
Bedroom Essentials That Bring Peace & Style
Your bedroom is where you recharge, reflect, and rest. The goal here is to create a space that feels intentional, soft, and inviting, but still elevated. Again, focus on essentials first, then layer in personality through color, texture, and decor.
Core Essentials for the Bedroom:
Bed frame
Mattress
Bedding + throw pillows
Side tables
Lamps
Dresser or storage
Rug
Art or decor
Optional bench or storage piece
Bedroom Color Additions:
To make your bedroom feel cozy and cohesive, continue the soft blues and creams from your living room and layer in deeper, warmer tones:
#DCD6CB - warm mushroom beige
#849F98 - dusty teal
These additions create contrast and bring depth to your space without clashing.
Designing the Bedroom: Hello.. Practical, Meet Stylish!
1. Vintage Style Cream Rug
A rug in vintage patterns and neutral tones like cream and beige grounds the room and softens hardwood or tile floors. Even if the rug is labeled for “living room,” like this one, it often works beautifully in a bedroom for added texture and warmth.
2. Upholstered Bed Frame
Your bed should be the star of the room. Choose an upholstered option in a natural, wood, or linen finish that works with almost any decor.
Bonus: if it sits on the floor your pets can't hide under it! A well made bed is always worth investing in since it anchors the whole space and you'll likely have it for years.
3. Light Blue Side Tables
A pair of light blue side tables gives the room character while providing functional storage. Two drawers are perfect for keeping chargers, skincare, or books within arm’s reach. The blue ties back into your living room tones for a cohesive home feel.
4. Storage Ottoman
At the foot of the bed, an oval ottoman adds both style and extra storage. Use it to hold extra bedding or seasonal clothes. It breaks up all the rectangular lines in the room and acts as a subtle design feature.
5. Triple Canvas Wall Art
Wall art instantly makes a bedroom feel styled. Use a set of three matching canvases above your bed or dresser. Even if they’re part of a single print series, spacing them out in threes adds visual rhythm and satisfies the interior design rule of three perfectly.
6. Two-Tone Dresser with Drawers
A six drawer dresser in a two-tone design (like wood and white or gray and ash) feels upscale without being flashy. It adds functional storage for clothing and serves as a great base for a mirror, TV, or decorative accessories.
7. Matching Table Lamps
To frame your bed and add cozy lighting, pick table lamps in warm finishes like smoky brown or brushed brass. The warm tone works well against cooler bedding and instantly softens the space.
8. Decorative Vase + Greenery
Place a ceramic vase on your dresser or nightstand and pair it with simple greenery or faux stems. It’s a easy way to add freshness.
9. Fluffy Duvet + Pillows
Don’t underestimate the power of great bedding. A fluffy duvet cover in soft white, light blue, or cream makes any bed look hotel-level luxurious. Then layer with accent pillows in soft blue, green, or beige to bring your palette full circle.
Bringing It All Together
You don’t need to spend a fortune to interior design your home beautifully. With a few well chosen pieces and a consistent color palette, you can create a space that feels put together, peaceful, and personal.
Remember:
Use the interior design rule of three to create visual balance
Stick to a few key tones throughout your home to keep things cohesive
Follow basic interior design rules like using a rug large enough for your space and layering textures for depth
Pull ideas from my home decor ideas images, but always tailor them to your lifestyle
Designing your space is half part creativity and half part intention. Start with what you love, build around it, and let the rest unfold naturally.
Happy decorating!
This post is all about how to interior design your home.
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