Alexandra Gater's 7 Favorite Hacks For Transforming A Home On A Budget
by The Candidly Team
Our Pinterest boards may be bursting with home decor #inspo and design #DIYs that we can only hope to emulate in our wildest dreams, but here in reality, we can’t just sell all our furniture and start anew because of a few photos we saw on the Internet.
So what do we do when we’re tired of staring at the same blush paint and marble countertops and rose-gold-everything we were obsessed with 6 years ago and now can’t stand looking at anymore but have approximately zero time and zero money because all of our resources are spent on sending our kids back to school and buying all new clothes because oops we only bought sweatpants during the pandemic?
We turn to Alexandra Gater. Home decor wizard. DIY professional. Master of breathing new life into tired old spaces on a budget. Who even needs Pinterest when we just save every photo from her Instagram?
So naturally, we asked about her greatest hacks for transforming our homes without breaking the bank or making it our full-time job. And of course, she delivered.
1. What is your single favorite budget hack for transforming each of these rooms?
Kitchen: Changing out your cabinet knobs to something decorative, like THESE.
Bathroom: Taking things out of packaging and placing them in decorative containers.
Living Room: Cozy lighting (like floor lights, wall sconces, table lamps) outfitted with smart bulbs so you can dim/change the hue of light.
Office: Hanging a cute shelf above your workspace and filling it with decorative storage boxes and trinkets to create function and style.
Bedroom: Hanging curtains that are either linen or have some sort of pattern on them. Will instantly make a room feel more luxe!
2. What are a few things anyone can do to update their homes for less than $500?
Peel-and-stick everything!
Wallpaper a small room, like a powder room or office. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is easy, so impactful, and will instantly turn a boring room into one with character.
You can also cover up old tiles with peel-and-stick flooring or peel-and-stick backsplash.
3. What about for less than $100?
Paint!
If you don’t have budget to update your furniture, try painting a bold accent wall or doing a fun wall treatment like lime wash. The possibilities are endless when it comes to paint, and you don’t have to be a DIY expert to learn the basics.
4. What's the easiest/cheapest way to try new decor and design options without spending hours of time and hundreds of dollars?
Moodboard before you buy!
The power of a moodboard is that it gives you a good idea of what your space is going to feel like before you start decorating. What colors work well together? Does the $1k coffee table you’re about to buy clash with your sofa?
You might have a design style in your head that you think you’re going to love, but once you see it on the page, realize that it just isn’t for you. I would also add that I am a big supporter for making bold design decisions with paint — if you hate it, you can just paint over it.
5. What are a few amazing tips for making your bedroom a sleep sanctuary that doesn't cost a fortune?
Mood lighting! And tons of texture through fabrics like linen and waffle knits. The trick is to keep the room simple, but bring in the warmth by piling on the texture through lighting and bed linens.
6. How can we have a Pinterest-approved modern kitchen without spending thousands of dollars on new carrara marble countertops?
Try contact paper LIKE THIS for your outdated countertops. If you’re really ambitious, try painting your old cabinet fronts. Make sure you research the kind of primer/paint your need before you tackle this DIY.
7. Any cheap hacks for transforming old tile in our bathrooms to something we would be proud to display in an IG photo?
I love peel-and-stick tiles, but depending on how much you need to cover it can get pricey. For a more budget-friendly option, try paint LIKE THIS that’s specifically made for painting over outdated backsplash.
8. What are your favorite places to buy these items on a budget:
Rugs: RugsUSA, hands down!
Art: Juniper Print Shop, Etsy, and Printable Concept (all downloadable options!)
Throw pillows and blankets: Target
Home accessories: HomeSense
Wall decor: HomeSense
Drinkware/Serveware/flatware: I love finding small business that hand make tableware and mugs.
Bedding & Bath linens: Brooklinen
Bonus! A few of Alexandra’s favorite budget items:
Drawer Organizers For everything
Drawer inserts like these are ideal for your kitchen junk drawer or bathroom vanity area. Once everything has a place, it’s so much easier to keep organized. I rarely organize my drawers anymore because things just don’t get out of hand like they used to because I know where everything goes.
Cute, Inexpensive Cabinet Knobs
Amazon is amazing for finding budget-friendly knobs. I love how they come in a large pack, so you can upgrade every knob in your home.
An Affordable Rug
I buy all of my rugs from RugsUSA because they are always on sale and you can get some incredibly stylish rugs that are large, on a budget. My favorite rug is this one. It’s so versatile — put it in a living room, a nursery or a bedroom — because of all the texture it brings to a space.
Marble Contact Paper
Alexandra recommends THIS marble printed contact paper for updating outdated kitchen countertops.
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