Here at Prosper + Dwell we are all about conserving resources and helping people make the most of what they already have to beautify their lives. We know it is not always an option to run out and buy new things to decorate your home, so we decided to come up with 5 ideas to inspire and motivate you to look around and see the hidden potential in your own spaces. So let's dive in and see what we came up with!

Shop your Own House

Yeah it might sound a little silly, but honestly it's a great way to refresh your home without buying anything new! So look around from room to room and think of ways you can repurpose and move things around to new spaces to refresh them. A great place to start is to gather all of your art and decor and put it into one place. Then consider how you could rearrange your furniture within each room or perhaps move pieces from one space to another. Then assess the decor items you have and redistribute them around your home. Perhaps you have enough art to create a fun gallery wall? By simply rearranging and reorganizing items in your own space you will instantly feel like the spaces have been refreshed.

Use Leftover Paint

Do you happen to have any leftover or unused paint on hand? If so why not refresh an older item in your home with a fresh coat of paint? Or perhaps paint a feature wall? Even if you do not have paint on hand it is an inexpensive way to instantly alter a space, furniture or decor item. Of course buying paint goes against the zero budget idea but hey we had to throw that suggestion out there, because if you ask almost any designer what is the least expensive way to have the greatest impact on a space they will most certainly say paint!

Organize a Swap

You have heard of clothing swaps so why not a home decor swap? Just like you all of your friends are probably tired of looking at the same stuff in their own houses and longing for a change. So why not organize a swap where everyone brings items they wish to trade for new items? It is not only fun but we think you would be amazed at what each other may be willing to part with! This is a great way to recycle decor from one home to another and keep things from being thrown out. The old adage that ‘one man’s trash is another’s treasure’ could not be more true. Think of how all of those amazing finds end up at thrift stores.

Clean and Declutter

Sometimes it's just that simple, we are overwhelmed with our daily lives and a simplification of our homes can be just the ticket to feel refreshed. So pull everything out of the closets, cupboards, and off the shelves. Look it all over and assess what you actually need or want and donate, swap or pack the rest. Simply clearing out your spaces can create a sense of calm and may renew your love for your home. Sometimes less is more in the way of interior decor, particularly if you’re not really into the stuff you have.

Make Something

We all have some kind of fabric, crafting supplies or household items that can be repurposed and made into something new and if we consult the internet the ideas are infinite. So hop online and search for DIY ideas and look around your house for items to repurpose, we assure you that you have them. Making things for your home is not only enjoyable but it also fills you with pride when you have a finished project in front of you.

Sometimes we have to dig in and get creative in our homes. For most it’s not always an option to run out and redecorate all at once. So it’s important to be able to look around and find ways to live with what you have but still feel good in your space. While some of these ideas may seem overly simplified or obvious, sometimes we all need to be reminded that there is hidden potential all around us! So we hope you feel inspired to look around and find yours.