Four Stores to Buy Affordable Home Decor

By Sam Washburn

While many things may be uncertain right now, one thing that is undeniable is that many students will be spending a lot more time in their living areas – whether that be a dorm, an apartment, or a house. Having an aesthetically pleasing living area can make spending longer periods of time in one space much more enjoyable. Unfortunately, home décor can also come with a hefty price tag. Throughout my quest for decorating my room, I’ve found four low-cost stores that can help spruce up any living area. 

Trader Joe’s 

While Trader Joe’s may be the go-to for affordable groceries and delicious frozen dinners, they also have succulents and flower bouquets for incredibly cheap prices. The succulents range from $2.50 to $4 and come in plenty of different varieties. The succulents look perfect displayed on a windowsill or a desk and last for months with limited care required. Their flower bouquets range from $5 to $7. The sunflowers and hydrangeas are especially pretty this time of year and help keep the summer vibes alive as we head into the fall.

The Dollar Tree

Believe it or not, the Dollar Tree - where everything truly is $1 – has plenty of items that can be perfect for brightening up a room. My personal favorites are the picture frames. While the variety of frames in stock can vary based on store location, I’ve found white, gold, and black frames in an array of popular photo sizes. Framing a photo or a print can give a room a more finished look while also protecting the photo from damage. The Dollar Tree also sells plenty of glass vases and jars which can be spray-painted and used to hold items such as pens, pencils, flowers, or even makeup. If you don’t want to deal with the maintenance of real flowers, the Dollar Tree also has artificial flowers which can be the perfect finishing touch for a room as well.

Shutterfly

Printed photos are a great way to bring a slice of your favorite people, places, and things into your living area. Unfortunately, printing large quantities of photos can get expensive, especially when opting for the highest quality images and paper material. When using the Shutterfly mobile app, you can get free unlimited prints in both 4x4 inches and 4x6 inches – you just have to pay for shipping. The prints are great quality and are the perfect size for picture frames on a desk or for making a collage on your wall.

Five Below

While Five Below is usually not pictured as a home décor destination, I was pleasantly surprised by their selection. They have trendy décor, ranging from floating shelves, whiteboard calendars, storage baskets, and even small throw rugs, all for under $5. These pieces of décor can help organize a space to create a cleaner, crisper look.

Ultimately, your living area is an extension of yourself. The way you decorate it can reflect your personality and what is most important to you. Spending the majority of your time in one space can be both exhausting and draining. But when this space is decorated in a way that feels right to you, the space can be an escape from stress where you can relax and feel your best.