How to Decorate on a Budget

How to Decorate on a Budget

"Trading Spaces" is now one of the most popular series on television. As a refresher, the goal of the program is to design a room in someone else's home for $1,000 using just the materials and tools available to you. You know it's difficult when even experienced specialists like decorators struggle to create the space of a homeowner's dreams. Don't let the fact that you have a restricted budget stop you from creating a warm and welcoming home. It never ceases to amaze me how many compliments we get on our front room décor (the only room we've decorated since moving in) when guests come to see us. We put the furniture together ourselves and got the rest of the decor from Target, so do you think I'll tell you that? That's impossible! Don't reveal the specifics of your sleazy past; instead, revel in the splendor and let others strive to copy your style. 

Here are a few ideas for making your house more welcoming on a budget. Gather ideas for a trendy house by watching television programs, reading books, and perusing periodicals. You may attempt to duplicate some of the more expensive items you see using less expensive materials and a little ingenuity, even if they are absolutely out of your price range. Some of the best places to shop for fantastic aesthetics are www.marthastewart.com, potterybarn.com, pierone.com, ikea.com, and pierone.com. The cheapest approach to transforming a space is to just paint it a new color. Bright colors can really brighten up a place, which is something I've learnt to never be frightened of in design. However, tiny rooms should be avoided since this might give the impression of being smaller and more closed off. Use softer and lighter hues in smaller areas, such as yellows, pale greens, lavenders, and off-whites. 

Getting your home in order will make it seem cleaner. Visit www.organizedhome.com for some wonderful ideas on how to organize your home and your life. This site is a great resource for understanding how and what to do to get rid of the clutter in your house. Using a variety of baskets to arrange your belongings not only helps the space appear cleaner, but it also enhances the décor. At a fraction of the price, Target, Kmart, and Walmart provide a wide variety of high-quality household goods. Furniture, dinnerware, towels, and pillows are just a few of the home decor items you'll find at Target. The Martha Stewart brand is available at Kmart, and the linens, draperies, and bedding are of the highest quality. Make cushions, draperies, and linens using Walmart's wonderful textiles for DIY projects.

Look through old art or photography books to find new artwork for your walls. It will look great in a cheap frame, and you'll save a lot of money in the process. Change the layout of your home's furnishings. To open up a space and make it more attractive, experiment with different methods of dividing it up. A candle and a bowl of potpourri are all that is needed. In addition to warming a space, this adds a pleasant aroma to the air. Find sofa coverings. If you don't want to spend a lot of money on a new couch, this is a great option. This is an excellent option if you have young children since it protects your furniture from damage. 

Slipcovers are simpler to clean than your sofa since they can be washed. Slipcovers may be found at Kohls.com and SureFit.com, both of which provide a wide selection. What if you can't afford a certain item for your house but still want it? Bid on it at www.ebay.com. In addition to exquisite antiques and treasures, eBay provides a wide variety of items for your home. Buy extra-large cushions to serve as additional seats. When you have a big party and there is not enough room for everyone to sit, they are a perfect solution. Instead of purchasing more seats, you may just purchase a few attractive pillows for your visitors to rest their feet on. Get there early for garage sales. Those that wait miss out on the best discounts since they don't get up as early as the early birds. Even the Salvation Army and Goodwill are good places to look for unique and lovely items for your home. Decorate your house by learning a new skill. Sewing, flower design, and other crafts may be learned at a very cheap cost in lessons offered by fabric and craft businesses. 

You may be able to save money by making your own crafts, or you may be able to earn enough money to provide yourself with more comforts in your house. Things that make your house more welcoming may be found for a low price at the Dollar Tree. It's possible that you'll chuckle at this one, but you'd be shocked at what ends up in that shop. No one knows that I spent a dollar each on lovely mugs, baskets, and stationery, but I did. Don't be afraid to shop in places you may not often expect to find high-quality housewares. The genuine stuff may be found here. Purchase an array of throws and drape one over your couch or place one beneath each end table. 

They help your visitors feel at home, particularly on those chilly evenings in the winter. Having a few interesting books on your coffee table is a nice touch, but don't go overboard. It's easy to get carried away with this and lose sight of the beauty of the furnishings underneath. It's OK to have one or two books, but having four or five just looks cluttered. If you purchase do-it-yourself furniture or if you have a piece that needs a facelift, replace the knobs on your cabinets and drawers. Elegant silver or gold knobs may transform the aesthetic of a piece completely. Sterling silver or gold curtain rods may be used in lieu of your old plastic curtain rods. Different types of end caps (leaves, fruit, glass) from Target and Kmart are very lovely and offer a distinctive touch. Make an effort, but don't go overboard. Keep in mind that you will be stuck with your theme for a long time, no matter what you decide. Choose themes that have stood the test of time. Even if you decide to go with a theme for the room, don't make it the focus of the space. Just offer your guests a taste of what you've got in store for them.

I hope these pointers help you get some inspiration for your own home's interior design. My recommendation to you is to begin with a single room and work your way up from there. If you start remodeling your whole house, you'll feel overwhelmed and stressed. Focus on a single project until you are entirely pleased with it, and only then should you begin to consider a new one.