Moving into a new house is a milestone achievement, but it can be overwhelming for many reasons. Knowing how to decorate your home on a budget can be hard but we're here for you. In this guide, discover the first five steps to decorating a new home, so you don't have to figure it out all on your own.

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How to Decorate Your Home

Step 1. Prioritise, Evaluate & Organise

Decorating a new home is all about less is more. It's okay to throw away what you don’t need or no longer want. Prioritise a few old treasures you would be lost without and say goodbye to unnecessary rubbish. Now is the time to evaluate everything and make sure the things you’re keeping will have a purpose in your new space – this will help you avoid a house full of clutter. Organise what you save by where it will live in your new house – if you can't place something, there's a good chance you don't need it.

Step 2. Out With the Old, in With the New

Once you become a homeowner, your home decor should mature with you. This is an opportunity to discard mismatched kitchenware in place of shiny, uniformed sets and replace your tattered bedroom posters with gallery-worthy wall art. There's value in keeping mementos from your past in your new home, but developing the maturity of your home's style is a great way to help you feel like a capable, refined adult.

Step 3. Fight the Urge to Splurge

No matter how confident you feel about purchasing a new piece of furniture, you most likely won't love it as much in the years to come. Your style will continually evolve as you grow into your new home, so you'll want to save money so that you can decorate later on. Use cheaper furniture pieces as placeholders until you're certain you know what design style is perfect for you – you'll be glad you did.

Step 4. DIY Upgrades

Decorating a new house doesn't always require buying all new things. Rather than purchasing new furniture or decor pieces, upgrade your existing items with stylish new hardware or paint. Drab kitchen cabinets can be transformed with decorative knobs and grungy walls can come to life after a fresh coat of paint. Accent the inside of dresser drawers with wallpaper, or paint a unique design on the arms of a basic wooden side table – small upgrades like these make a world of difference. Even replacing simple pieces like plug socket and light switch covers can make your new home feel cleaner and more like your own space without a massive price tag.

Step 5. Accents Make the Space

Small accent elements will go a long way in personalising your home's decor. Cushions, floor pillows and throws are playful, cosy and can be swapped out or moved whenever you feel like it. Draw attention to the floor by layering vibrant rugs and make your windows look less bare with a set of flowing curtains. When in doubt, fill empty space with plants – and don't worry if you're not the best at caring for greenery, today's artificial plants are as lifelike as the real thing.

Tip: Just moved into a new apartment? Read our new home essentials guide for more helpful tips on how to kit out your new space.