Wall Decor Ideas on a Budget (That Don’t Look Cheap!)

You can style your sofa or splash out on a fancy lampshade, but if the walls are blank, the room just feels… unfinished. And I know that decorating walls can be expensive. Original art, oversized frames, and designer wallpaper all add up.

I remember staring at my own blank walls years ago, feeling overwhelmed by the endless possibilities and intimidated by the price tags on original artwork. That's when I started getting creative, and honestly, some of my favorite pieces came from the most unexpected places and cost almost nothing.

You probably have more options lying around than you realise. And with a little imagination, you can fill large empty spaces in a way that reflects who you are, without draining your bank account.

I’ll be sharing with you some of my favourite wall decor ideas without draining your wallet.

I’m a sucker for family photos. I have a gallery wall in the hallway made up of holiday snaps, candid pictures of my family, kids, and moments that matter to me. It didn’t cost me much at all. I printed the photos online and picked up simple wooden frames in various sizes during a sale.

You don’t need a huge collection. Just a few meaningful ones in similar frames can completely change the mood of a space. You can keep everything uniform if you prefer a cleaner aesthetic. 

I like mixing black-and-white prints with a few colour ones for contrast. If you’re tight on space, try a neat row above a console or across a shelf.

If you have children (or nieces and nephews who love to draw), you already own a trove of art.

Instead of letting their paintings pile up, why not frame a few favourites and hang them? I’ve done this with my daughter’s odd-looking rainbow painting. It’s hanging proudly in the kitchen. It adds joy to the room and shows her that her creativity is valued.

Pick a few of your kids’ masterpieces and frame them. They’ll feel like little Picassos, and you get original art that’s completely personal and (bonus!) free.

Plants are my not-so-secret decorating weapon. And you don’t need floor space to enjoy them, as wall planters are a lovely way to bring greenery to eye level.

You can mount simple wall planters or even repurpose tins, mugs, or jars. If you’re like me and forget to water plants now and then, faux greenery can still do the trick, just pick good-quality ones.

I have beautiful planter baskets from Rwanda and Kenya in my collection that work beautifully as hanging planters or shelf decor.

For renters or anyone who likes to change things up, removable wallpaper is a good call. You can create an accent wall or frame smaller pieces for a gallery effect. The peel-and-stick options available now are so much easier to work with than traditional wallpaper.

One could say DIY wall art is a messy fun that pays off. You don’t need to be an artist to make your own wall décor. 

I once made a simple canvas with leftover house paint and some masking tape. If it’s good enough, you’ll be surprised to hear guests ask you where you bought it. You can also use paint samples, magazine cutouts, or pressed flowers between glass. It’s about expressing yourself.

Even if you're not thrilled with your first attempt, the process is therapeutic, and you might surprise yourself. Grab some acrylic paint, a blank canvas, and try your hand at something abstract. Even better if you rope in a friend or your kids and make a night of it.

Need ideas? YouTube and Pinterest are goldmines for beginner-friendly DIY tutorials.

A good mirror can do wonders. It reflects light, makes the room feel bigger, and it’s nice to catch your own reflection sometimes. 

You don’t need anything fancy. Look for second-hand mirrors with interesting shapes, or pick up a plain one and spray-paint the frame to match your colour scheme if needed.

Pro tip: hang a mirror opposite a window to ‘double’ the daylight in the room. What it does is create the illusion of a brighter, more spacious room.