It happens all the time. I pick up a decorating magazine and see gorgeous designer rooms that cost a fortune. For a moment, I imagine how it would feel to come home to a picture perfect room that takes my breath away.
Then reality sets in. I realize two things. First of all, most of those rooms are not conducive to my family’s lifestyle. Secondly, I just plain can’t afford it.
However, this doesn’t mean I can’t make my home a comfortable and visually appealing haven for my family.
I’ve learned a few great frugal decorating tips along the way that are simple to implement and give the most bang for your buck.
A few ways to decorate on a budget:
- Rearrange - One of the easiest changes you can make in your home is simply moving things around. By moving things around, I mean both your large furniture as well as items on shelves. I like to occasionally take everything off my shelves and then replace things in an entirely different manner. It sure gives that whole unit a different appearance.
- Shop smart - If you need other pieces of furniture or accessories be sure to check out places like E-bay, discount home stores, Wal-Mart, Target, second-hand stores or yard sales. You might be surprised at the steals you can get on great pieces.
- Repaint or refinish old furniture pieces - It may require a little elbow grease, but by redoing an old piece of furniture you gain a great sense of accomplishment, and you can also make it the color that fits best into the area you will be putting the piece in.
- De-clutter - If a simple and clean look is what you’re going for, de-cluttering is an absolute must. I cannot stand clutter. On my shelving units, which are about two feet wide, I aim for putting three or less items on each shelf. This way I know they will not have a cluttered look and it’s also much easier to keep them looking clean.
- Raid other rooms in the house - When revamping a particular room in the house, scour other rooms to see if there are items that would go well in your room that may not particularly fit in the room in which they are currently located.
- Check lighting - This could mean moving a lamp to a new location to bring more light into a main living area, or it could mean changing the lamp shade to give an old worn lamp a more contemporary look. You may also consider changing out globes on old lighting fixtures or completely replacing lighting fixtures with newer updated styles.
- Add a fruit bowl - One of my favorite ways of adding color is taking a simple glass bowl and placing the fruits I’ve purchased for us to eat throughout the week inside the bowl and making it the centerpiece for our table. It adds pretty color and utilizes the fruits I’ve purchased.
- Greenery - Adding ferns or other luscious green plants are great ways to bring life and color to a room without costing an arm and a leg.
- New print for an old frame - Liven up an old frame by purchasing an inexpensive print. I learned when one of my favorite picture frames broke recently, the frame is the expensive part to replace. If you have a great frame you can usually go to a home store and find a print that will work nicely with your existing frame. It is definitely worth a shot to keep from replacing the whole thing.
I hope you have found some of these ideas useful for your frugal decorating challenges. However, I can always use some suggestions myself.
What is your best frugal decorating tip?
This post is linked to Frugal Friday.
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I think the one we really need to do is number 4, but often the hardest one of them all to accomplish.
zoe’s last blog post..Frugal Fridays
Great tips! I always go through my stash when decorating, and never (well, very rarely) spend a dime.
Thanks for sharing!
~Liz
Liz@Hoosier Homemade’s last blog post..Deals for the Week
Your #9 reminded me of a couple things along that line…reprints of Norman Rockwell paintings or other popular artists can be found in calendars. They can be matted and fitted into frames. Also, taking your own pictures of scenery, flowers, etc., can be printed in any size you want and framed as well.:)
Theo-Ann’s last blog post..Wedding scrapbook
You’re right. I didn’t think to include these great ideas. Thanks for adding them.
This is a great reminder! I love doing this one:
::Repaint or refinish old furniture pieces::
Angie @ The Creative Mama’s last blog post..Get Your Creative On!
simple steps will help make a place look different imagination is a must
I think just simply removing something from a room is wonderful too. Oftentimes a room is just too crowded so taking an extra chair or plant out can do wonders! And that is as cheap as it gets!
Andrea @ The Train To Crazy’s last blog post..Frustration!
Very true. I have done this before and it’s amazing how the room can feel almost like a totally different room after such a simple change. Thanks for sharing.
Great suggestions here. I really like the declutter tip. I’ve found that if I get rid of a lot of the little things that don’t mean very much to me, then the one’s left (the things I truly care about) stand out more and make a greater statement.
Beth @ Smart Family Tips’s last blog post..Go Green, Live Rich Book Giveaway Reminder
I totally just did this, and it has transformed my living and dining rooms! I rearranged the furniture AND snagged items from another room. My house looks totally different, and I love it… not only because I like the way I arranged it, but because it feels like a new home.
Great post, Amanda! Love the tips!
I made Chloe a big girl room last summer. My favorite peices came from the curb on garbage day and my wonderful parents refinished them. You would never guess!
http://www.beautifulcalling.ca/2009/04/makings-of-big-girl-room.html
I too love to peek at the decorator magazines especially at the doctors office but you know, I’m with you, I don’t think real people really “live” there the way a family should!
Jenn @ Beautiful Calling’s last blog post..Current Reviews and Giveaways
Great practical ideas, thanks!
Mindy’s last blog post..