One of the ways that interior decorators bring so much personality to a space is by attending to the details, too. When focusing on a room, it’s the little things like the framed photos of family, the favorite books, those vases of fresh flowers from the market, and cozy, well-worn throws - things you might not even notice when you first enter a space or look at a photo - that can make a space feel not just well-decorated, but feel like YOU.

Yet, I know it, too...this can come with a hefty price tag but I firmly believe that a home that is well-decorated and feels like YOU does not have to be expensive.

What I guide my clients to do, and a rule of thumb I use myself, is to splurge on items that I constantly use, or that serve an important function (i.e. think dining room table, a sofa, a bed). Home decor that is there purely for form and not function is a great space to save. Those personality-adding details are a great place to think about reusing or finding items that can serve more than one purpose.

Let me guide you through ways to add personality with a kind price to your console or coffee table!

Instead of books, think catalogs

Coffee table books are fantastic for layering and for adding a little extra height to your decorative items. However, those gorgeous photo-forward books you often see in design blogs can really add up. Instead, try catalogs! If you haven't already noticed, in those above pictures, those items aren't books; they're product catalogs I received from Restoration Hardware. Many of us still receive tons of catalogs and/or magazines via snail mail, most of which end up in the recycling after you're done flipping through them. Save them and layer ‘em up, especially the ones that you feel represent an interest of yours or your family’s.

Or…even your wedding guest book or a photo book

That creamy bottom layer on the photo above? That's the guest book from our wedding, which was sitting in storage collecting dust. So, I decided to pull it out and use it as a faux coffee book. I love flipping through and reading the messages from loved ones and reminiscing on the day. 

Try nothing

Another way to save is to add...nothing. A coffee or console table, after all, might be a space to prop up your feet, get out a board game, eat snacks or even - that’s right - set down your coffee! Leaving your table empty, especially in a cozy space, can add a nice clean, minimalist aesthetic and actually function more easily.

That’s all she wrote for now, folks. Have fun repurposing items and feel free to share any low-cost decorating ideas you may have!