Cheap Decorating Ideas for Decorating on a Budget
cheap decorating ideas
You want to decorate or update your home's look. Where do you start? If you don't know what you like, I suggest taking a trip to the library or bookstore and browse decorating magazines in search of rooms that appeal to you. Is there a common theme? Do you like a cluttered, cozy look, a very neat traditional style, or does a sparsely furnished modern style suit you?
 After you find out what you like, look more closely at those pictures and see what elements of this style you already have in your home. Sometimes cheap decorating ideas involve using treasures that we have right under our nose and don't even realize it. I once coveted a kitchen table and chair set that I saw in the window of a furniture store. As I was describing it to my husband, I realized that it was almost exactly like the kitchen table we already had except for the paint. I made up my mind to turn my table into the one I wanted! I sanded it down; striped the stain off of the table top and put a clear finish on it to show off the natural wood. Then I painted the chairs and the legs of the table black (like the one in the store) and my $80. yard sale table was beautiful!
Here are my best cheap decorating ideas for making your home one that you will love without spending a lot of money.
Use photographs - If your walls need art, but you don't want to invest in paintings or prints, consider framing personal or family photographs. It is easy and inexpensive to get enlargements at most any drugstore or other photo finishing outlet. For a sophisticated look, use all black and white photos in simple black frames. Stick with either all landscapes or all portraits for a more unified look.
Use plants - Plants are a wonderful way to add warmth and color to your home without spending a lot of money. Many of them, such as aloe and spider plants reproduce so you can plant the new growth in another pot and have many plants for the price of one! If you have friends with plants, you may not have to buy any at all - see if anyone has cuttings to give you. You can make your own
homemade paper mache planter
and decorate it to suit your decor.
Use paint - Compared to most things we do to update the look of our homes, painting is a bargain. It is something most anyone can do, and costs far less that buying new furniture. The results can be astonishingly beautiful! Choose a color that you love and that coordinates with the existing elements of the room - consider the floor color (whether carpet or wood or other material), the color of any tile or counter tops or brick that may be in the room, and the hardware (light fixtures, etc.) in addition to the furnishings. Get some paint sample chips from the store and compare them side-by-side to everything in the room to make sure nothing clashes. Ask for a second (or third) opinion if you have any doubts!
Paint is not just for walls, either. Coat racks, vases, shelves, bookends, furniture and even baskets can be transformed by paint.
Get Crafty - Cheap decorating ideas are almost limitless when you realize how many things you can make or re-make for decorating your home.
- Throw pillows: Throw pillows can update and brighten up most any room. They can also be used to pull things together if you have several colors in the room. It's easy to make your own pillows if you have a sewing machine.
cheap decorating ideas
- Duvet: Make a duvet or comforter cover out of two bedsheets. Choose two flat sheets in matching or coordinating colors or prints. Sew three sides together and add ribbons at 6-inch intervals on the forth side so it can be tied shut after putting the comforter inside.
- Shower Curtain: You can also make a shower curtain from a flat bedsheet. (Use the double size.) Simply add ribbon or some other tie along the top (actually, use the bottom of the sheet as the top so you will have that nice finished edge at the bottom where it will show) to hang it from.
- Decorate a vase: Use a cheap glass vase (available at garage sales, thrift stores and dollar stores for $1. or less) and cover it with paper mache. Paint it in a colorful floral or geometric design that goes with your room. If you want the finish to be shiny, coat it with decoupage after the paint dries for at least 24 hours.
 Update what you have - A lot of what you already have can be revitalized with a bit of creativity. Cover that tired old sofa with a slip cover; find a stunning new lamp shade for Grandma's old lamp; an uninspiring chest of drawers can have new face by simply replacing the drawer pulls or knobs.
Finding furniture bargains - If you need furniture, try some alternatives before you head to the local furniture store.
- Check garage sales. See your local paper for a listing of garage sales in your area. Look for listings that advertise furniture. If there is a phone number, call them to see what they have.
- Look on Craigslist. Check the listings for Craigslist in your area to see if there is anything available that you need. Sometimes lucky people have found nearly new high-quality furniture for a song because of someone else's divorce or sudden job transfer.
- Thrift Stores. Sometimes excellent furniture bargains can be found at thrift stores. They will often haggle on the price too, so if you find something you like, see if they will accept less than the marked price.
cheap decorating ideas
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