Just because you do not have a lot of extra money does not mean that you cannot have fun decorating your house. By choosing to do the decorating yourself and being creative, you can keep your home s look fresh and up to date all of the time. Something as simple as painting a wall and adding a plant can make a big difference in the look of any room. So here are some other ideas for decorating on a budget.
Paint Everything
Hands down, one way to get the biggest decorating impact for the smallest buck is to paint a room. You can completely change the style of any room by simply applying a coat of paint and rearranging the furniture. You can make a look more sophisticated by changing to a neutral gray backdrop, or you can bring a room to life with warm earth tones.
After you paint your walls, take a good look at your furniture. Are there any tired, old pieces that need a little pick me up? Well you already have the paintbrush in your hand so have at it. You can paint literally any surface these days. You can find spray paint that is specifically formulated to paint plastic or laminate, and of course wood is always a paint friendly surface, so updating the look of your furnishings is just a spray paint away.
Sew a Straight Line
If you can sew a straight line, there are many projects that you can do yourself to save money. When you need new throw pillows, curtains or even slipcovers, do not go shopping for them, simply make them. You can frequently recycle old material to make cute pillows, or use old sheets to make slipcovers. You can always keep your eyes pealed for great sales at your fabric store as well, and have fun mixing prints and textures at home.
Another way to approach decorating is to make semi homemade décor. For example, you may buy the curtain panels on sale, and then add fringe or beading yourself. You end up with a custom piece for a fraction of the price, and you get to have fun embellishing it as well.
Great Resources
Any time that you are decorating on a budget, garage sales and thrift stores are a great resource. You can find things that are in great shape that someone else just wants out of their house. So you get a great price, and they get a clean home. It is a win/win for everyone. If you are looking for a certain item, be patient as you are looking for it. Always have the dimensions of the piece that you are looking for handy, because you really never know when you will find it. Old furniture with a new coat of paint and updated hardware sometimes looks better than it did brand new.
You can also find great accessories at a thrift store, and they are frequently one of a kind. Antique picture frames, an ornate screen or an aged tapestry all make great focal points for any room.
Add Your Signature
If you have an ordinary house in an ordinary neighborhood, being creative and finding unique furniture and decor on your travels will elevate your house from ordinary to distinctively extraordinary.
Author Resource:
Using her formal design training Angela Glancy with http://www.americanartisanart.com/ is sharing simple tips on displaying metal wall decor and contemporary wall sculptures.