10 Small (but Mighty) Ways to Add Character to Your Home on a Budget

Having a small budget or limited time is no longer an excuse for a home that feels blah. I firmly believe that a house should reflect the people who live in it—quirks and all. If your space doesn’t feel like you, you’re working with a tight budget, or you just don’t know where to start, here are 10 small, affordable upgrades that make a huge impact.

1) Paint Works Wonders

Let’s start with the obvious: paint. Paint is like magic in a can—it’s affordable and offers the biggest transformation for your buck. Before I settle into any room, I paint it. I cannot live in a house where I hate the wall color. I’m one of those people who grabs a random shade and slaps it on the wall without hesitation. If that’s not your style, start with a neutral—warm white is a classic for a reason.

When I moved into my first house, the mudroom was painted a pale yellow. No shade if yellow is your thing, but it wasn’t mine. I marched straight to the store, grabbed the first navy I saw, and covered it up. Instantly, that room went from my least favorite to one of the most impactful—all in a few hours.

2) Moulding Is Always A Good Idea

Want your home to feel like it has history, even if it doesn’t? Add moulding. Older homes ooze character, and a big reason why is moulding. Whether it’s crown moulding, wall moulding, or beefy baseboards, it makes a difference.

In my first home, the front rooms had charm thanks to its 1922 build date, but the back additions? Boring. So, I added board and batten to the bathroom for about $8 per 8ft board, painted it a contrasting color, and boom—instant personality boost without breaking the bank.

3) Trays = The Secret to Looking Put Together

If you only do one thing from this list, let it be this: corral your small, loose items on a tray. A collection of things scattered on a surface? Clutter. The same things on a tray? Styled vignette. It’s interior design sorcery.

4) Mount Your TV (if you can)

A TV sitting on a stand just feels… unfinished. Mounting it instantly makes the space look sleek and intentional. Want to go the extra mile? DIY a frame for it. Check out our March 11 blog post to see how we did it on a budget.

5) Hardware = The Jewelry of Your Home

If your cabinet hardware isn’t sparking joy, swap it—or even paint it. My kitchen felt off for the longest time, and one day I realized: I hated the chrome hardware. I didn’t have the budget to replace it all, so I grabbed some black spray paint. That quick fix made my kitchen feel so much more me—and way more expensive-looking.

6) Add Art In Unexpected Places Or Unexpected Ways

Nothing personalizes a home faster than art, and I love hanging it in unexpected ways. Think: a framed piece leaning in a bookcase, art hung from a windowpane, or a gallery wall of mixed media. Bonus points if the art is homemade (yes, even if it’s by your dog—display what makes you happy!).

7) Lamps Are A Home’s Best Friend

Let’s get one thing straight: We do not turn on the big light. Overhead lighting is harsh. Lamps? Soft, cozy, inviting. A room isn’t complete without at least one (or three). And with battery-powered bulbs, you can have a lamp literally anywhere. No excuses.

8) Style Your Personal Items (Don’t Hide Them)

A room should feel like it belongs to you—not just any random person. Keep your personal photos, meaningful mementos, and books that reflect your interests. Forget the Instagram-perfect, personality-free spaces. Display what you love.

9) Don’t Overload on Big-Box Store Decor

Listen, I love a good Target run. But if your whole house looks like a Target showroom, we have a problem. Mix in flea market finds, antique pieces, and sentimental heirlooms to make your home yours. Big-box store decor is great—as long as it’s the supporting cast, not the main character.

10) Rearrange What You Have

When your home starts feeling stale, move stuff around. I’ve been doing this since I was a kid—my bedroom layout changed weekly. Shift your furniture, swap decor between rooms, or restyle a shelf. That mirror you’re bored with in your bedroom? It might be exactly what your living room needed all along.

Bonus: Hang Your Curtains As High As Possible

Hanging curtains right above the window seems logical, but it’s a rookie mistake. Hang them as high and wide as possible to make your windows (and ceilings!) look taller. And let them graze the floor—high-water curtains are a crime. In my first house, the primary bedroom had 15ft ceilings (yes, it was already dramatic), but when I hung the curtains at the window frame, it made the window look dinky. Hanging them higher made the entire room feel grand, airy, and cozy at the same time.

The Bottom Line

Your home should be yours. You don’t need a huge budget or a total renovation to make an impact. Small, thoughtful changes add up in a big way. Start where you can, have fun with it, and remember—your home should feel like you.