One of my favorite ways to keep my home free of clutter is to shop my house when decorating in general and also for holidays. In this post, I share some easy ways to decorate beautifully using what you have on hand. 

Simple Indoor 4th of July Decor 

Do you enjoy decorating for holidays and the seasons? I do, too, and I also like to save money while doing it and the best way to do that is to use what you already have available.

Shop Your House

You've probably heard this phrase before and it is really wonderful advice especially if your goal is to not only keep clutter to a minimum but to save money when decorating. 

A few years ago I started a huge decluttering process that's still ongoing so with that in mind, I don't buy home decor items as often as I used to and I try to find more than one purpose for the stuff I already have.  

Set the Foundation

If you want to decorate using the "shop your house" method, first, look at what you have that can serve multiple purposes.

Cake Stands

For this 4th of July decor, I used cake stands to add height to the items on my buffet.

I used to have a cake stand collection and when I narrowed that done, I kept six, which is still a few too many but I like to use them all the time, so I gave myself a pass and kept my favorites.

The cake stands can be stacked, largest at the bottom (of course!) working your way up and then topping with either food or decor. I added a small glass faux milk bottle to the top filled with more mini flags. 

Kitchen Canisters

I used a simple red sugar canister as a vase and added some faux flowers and mini flags but you could also use fresh flowers from your garden or even a roadside.

I've stopped and picked wildflowers for displays in the past and they are always so pretty. Just watch for bugs and poison ivy {you can see poison ivy in my garden here}.

Reuse Other Seasonal Decor

Plate Chargers

Plate chargers are a lovely way to dress up a table and if you wait until after the holidays, you can usually get them for under $1.00 each at Michaels.

I originally bought the red one above in a set of 6 for Christmas dinner but they can also be used for Valentine's Day, the 4th of July, or any celebration where red works!

The white charger above is a nice, basic charger and can be used year round but is absolutely perfect for celebrating the red, white, and blue.

Set the Table Inexpensively

A few years ago, I made a memo board from pallet wood (super easy DIY) and used a large roll of brown paper to write the memos on. I used the paper from the roll to crisscross the table.

This makes for a simple table runner that can be written on for fun, or to note who sits where. You can also use it to keep kids (and adults) occupied. It's fun, chic, and cheap!

Top off the plate chargers with paper plates and napkins. This makes cleanup a breeze but also adds a splash of fun to your tablesetting without the expense or storage concerns for another set of dishes or china for the holiday.

Washboards

I have two antique washboards that are nice to use as a backdrop for decor year round. 

I added a patriotic printable (grab your free copy here) to it using washi tape. Easy to put on and pull off. 

Letterboards

I use my letterboard year-round to celebrate birthdays, holidays, Just about any day. They're another great basic.

Cutting Boards

I didn't use any cutting boards for this display, but I have used wooden ones in the past for serving fruits and veggies, standing up as a backdrop, and as trivets on the table when serving hot foods.

Vintage Scales

Vintage scales are another great way to add height to a display and the top is perfect for holding smaller objects or just to add interest to an otherwise empty space. 

What do you use for decor that serves another purpose? I'd love to hear your thoughts and ideas!