During the holiday season people do a lot of visiting. During which, you get to see how nice everyone else’s homes look. Feel like you aren’t at your decor A game to entertain guests this festive season?

Budget always seems to be a problem though. Fret not, here are 10 steps to follow to maximize your decorating budget.

Plan, plan, plan

We all know the age-old adage “failing to plan, is planning to fail”. Don’t begin your decor journey unless you’ve planned an extensive budget.

First, list out your planned ideas and what you need to buy. Classify expenditure by sections in your room. A living room would have the seating area, TV area, displays, and miscellaneous section.

Then, quote and estimate prices to clear doubts. The more precise the better. After that, ensure your budget includes contingencies incase things don't go as planned.

Have a thorough cost analysis. It ensures you factor all expenses to decide financial plausibility of your plans. This way you maximize budget.

Maximize budget by tracking spending

The most popular financial hack is to note down expenditure. So, do exactly that. You’ll have a clear representation of cash flow.

Keep all receipts and spending history compiled. Also, record all deviances in costs from what you had estimated. These records will help in future planning.

After compiling and recording, add up all costs. This provides you a cost tally at any given moment in your decor journey. You’ll know if you have extra spending allowance or whether to limit spending. This also prevents splurging temptations.

Have a set theme or look

Always begin your decor journey with an end in mind. Have a theme chosen and planned for. Choose a theme that is apt for your budget. On a budget? Go for a more budget-friendly theme like Minimalist or Scandanavian.

Never decide and purchase as you decorate. You’ll end up spending more. Use room design software to have a complete decor design planned before decorating. This is a practice all professional interior designers use to maximize budget.

DIY where possible

Wherever the topic of budget decor or renovation comes up, the DIY tip always follows. The reason is because this tip is infallible. It is always the cheaper option.

When decorating, opt for DIY options wherever possible. Buying new items or paying someone for a service will cost more. Maximize budget and do it yourself.

Instead of buying a new coffee table, DIY one from old crates or an old door. If you want a feature wall, paint it yourself. How easy it is to do yourself would surprise you.

Have a schedule

One of the most important aspects of project management is time management. This is because time is money. Make a project schedule before you start decorating. Then, break down your schedule into subtasks to complete progressively.

This ensures you don't end up spending too much time on it. Going over time on your project will cost you more.

Set a deadline and adhere to it.  Without a deadline, you’ll never finish. One useful project management tool for scheduling is a Gantt chart.

Shop during sales

When shopping for materials and furniture always try to shop during sales. During sales, you can easily get new furniture with great discounts. Not buying at full price incurs great savings.

One untold retail buying trick is to look for ones with small defaults. Tables or decor with scratches or small chips are usually marked down significantly. Even though they have imperfections, they’re almost as good as new. You can save a lot of money buying this way.

This way you can buy more for less and maximize budget.

Practice comparing prices

The best way to be a smart shopper is to compare prices. Make habit of getting at least three different price quotations to compare. When comparing, involve some compromise. Know where to splurge and where to buy as cheap as possible.

For example, spend more on a bed because you use it every day. Then, spend less on a decorative piece like a painting because it’s only for aesthetics. This way you get the best deal for the best price and maximize budget.

Buy reclaimed, reused, recycled

Maximize budget by buying reclaimed, reused or recycled materials. You get more for your money this way.

Reclaimed, reused or recycled items cost a fraction of the price of new furniture or decor. Most of the options are as good as new too. An added advantage of reclaimed or recycled is eco-friendliness.

Don't be an impulse buyer

Impulse buying will disrupt your budget and make you spend more. It may also push you to spend money you initially allocated for other needs.

Have a list of what you want to buy and how much you allocated in your budget for it. Separate your “needs” from your “wants”. Then, set a limit and stick to it when shopping.

Do your research before buying. Know how much things actually cost to avoid paying more than what you’re supposed to.

Be practical

When planning room decor, give priority to high-traffic or frequently used areas.

High traffic areas include your bedroom or kitchen. For these rooms, don’t be afraid to spend more on them.

For rooms that aren’t used as frequently, cut costs. Opt for more cost-effective solutions for areas like the guest bedroom or patio. This way you don’t spend on the less important.

Anyone can decorate their home beautifully and maximize budget. With enough reading and know-how, you’ll get the best bang for your buck.

For more articles like this, check out :

• Budgeting for a Renovation

• 6 Ways to Enjoy Luxury on A Budget

• These 8 Renovation Budget Hacks Will Save You A Lot Of Money

• Get a Designer Home on a $29,900 Renovation Budget