Do you dream of adding style to your home but don't have a lot of money? Don't despair! There are 5 things you can do that will help your house look beautiful without spending much money.
1. Declutter your home.
Nothing zaps a great look like clutter. Look around you. Do you have paper plies or mail stacks? Do you just add to your knickknack collection rather than rotate your select favorites? When was the last time you saw the front of your refrigerator? Simple solutions that cost very little money are to invest in nice office trays, pretty bulletin boards and frames for your child's artwork. Make the trash can handy to immediately toss unwanted mail. Taking away the clutter will make your space appear larger and help your treasured objects be emphasized rather than lost.
2. Make display surfaces pretty.
A key element in houses that are decorated by a professional rather than want-to-be is the art of accessorizing. Flat surfaces such as mantels, bookcases, and coffee tables are the perfect places to restyle for less. The one important point here is to keep it simple. Bookcases should only be 2/3 full. A mantle should not have mirror above it (a very dated look) ? choose artwork instead. Place no more than three items on an end table ? cluster these varied but related items together for more impact.
3. Paint to Impress.
Paint, as you know, makes the most dramatic change for the money. Be bold, be daring and most importantly -- don't do white! Choose a complex color. This simply means if you would use several different words to describe the color than it is probably complex. For example; if you said it was a kinda "gold, straw, beige-y color" than it is probably a complex color. If you said "just yellow" - it probably is not a very inspiring look. A beautiful color on the walls can make the room go from ordinary to extraordinary in less than a day and usually for less than $50.
4. Make it personal
Decorating your house is a job but styling your home is fun. Personalization is putting your interests, hobbies or values into your décor to really make it your own. Buy simple ? read inexpensive - curtains at your local big-box store and then buy exquisite wide ribbon to hot glue on the edge. Use your grandson's first sneakers to tie back the den curtains. Use some family photos but just promise not to use too many. A guest coming for a visit may find all those staring eyes unnerving.
5. Change with the seasons.
You know the drill ? lighter brighter for spring/summer and darker richer for fall/winter. This easy task of changing the fabric items around the home can help you make it seasonal. Change out placements, bath towels, and accent pillows. The final touch is to purchase a seasonal bouquet of flowers: fresh or fake- these centerpieces can add punch to a room.
Decorate your home by spending time not money in decluttering, painting and accessorizing. By following these simple tips, you can make a huge impact by bringing your home from average to spectacular for very little money.
Julie Dana is a professional Interior Redesigner and Accredited Staging Professional. Her company, The Home Stylist, offers online decorating consultations, do-it-yourself decorating plans and real-estate staging. Visit http://www.thehomestylist.com to take a fun style quiz, vote on a color poll, and sign up for free decorating e-newsletter.
If your kitchen is U-shaped or L-shaped, a corner kitchen... Read More
Open Windows ? Curtains fluttering from a warm breeze ?... Read More
Using accessories is a fun way to accent your bedroom... Read More
Unlike windup cuckoo clocks, which require rewinding every one, two... Read More
With the array of choices we have for softening hard... Read More
Massage therapists are in high demand. Consumers recognize the physical... Read More
Tools needed: a battery operated screwdriver, screwdriver bits (Phillips and... Read More
One personal junk is another personal treasure. Never is that... Read More
Psychology of colors ? the bedroomColor can have an astounding... Read More
Budget decorating. You see this phrase a lot but what... Read More
Most people would agree that wood shutters are beautiful. They... Read More
There are many ways to decorate the interior of your... Read More
Bathroom vanity cabinets are considered bathroom furniture, and usually range... Read More
FIVE EASY STEPS TO DECORATING ETHNICNEW YORK, NY - With... Read More
Decorating with area rugs is one of the easiest ways... Read More
Planning a dinner party but worried what your guests will... Read More
There is nothing more attractive and cheerful than a room... Read More
Christian art is wonderful for inspiring us. Cathedrals and churches,... Read More
We all take a certain pride in the interior of... Read More
Are you a compulsive furniture rearranger? Do you make distinctive... Read More
It is a cliché that wines get better with age.... Read More
Although the exact date remains a mystery, it is commonly... Read More
Tired of plain, boring walls? Faux finishes are a great... Read More
Do you want to add a sense of style and... Read More
In the mini blind market, you have three types of... Read More
If you are buying a free-standing cooker, oven or hob... Read More
Bathroom vanity tops offer many options to the discerning customer.... Read More
We spend a great deal of time in our bedrooms,... Read More
Its summertime and the livin' is easy or at least... Read More
Mini-blinds have replaced the old-fashioned Venetian blinds as more convenient... Read More
Decorating on a budget can always be a challenge, but... Read More
Now if your children are like mine they want to... Read More
Adjustable airbeds are adjustable beds for which the firmness of... Read More
A Japanese Sword is a wonderful decoration to add to... Read More
If you ask most people to tell you about Mission... Read More
Kitchen island sizes vary considerably from moveable cutting and serving... Read More
Picnic baskets are the best way to eat outdoors, and... Read More
Candle making can be a fun creative hobby. It can... Read More
Creating a comfortable area for your baby is important to... Read More
Decorating your home and office can be a challenge if... Read More
The Environmental Protection Agency has determined that almost 90% of... Read More
The Mathmos Color Bubble is made by Mathmos - the... Read More
How many ways can you display posters? With the easy... Read More
From their inception, fresh fruit baskets were exactly that ?... Read More
The easiest and most inexpensive way to invigorate the design... Read More
If your furniture could do with a new look, then... Read More
Oriental rugs can be purchased in a great variety of... Read More
Solid hardwood floors should neither be installed over a concrete... Read More
They look so lifelike, that time and time again people... Read More
Vertical and functional space planning are two of the most... Read More
It may seem that all you need to be a... Read More
The living room is the setting which will blend the... Read More
"Learn how to be happy with what you have while... Read More
Picnic gift baskets are a great gift for just about... Read More
Roman shades are a classic window treatment. They are simple,... Read More
Adjustable airbeds are adjustable beds for which the firmness of... Read More
Clocks can be of any type - they could be... Read More
Since the beginning of civilization, humans have searched for a... Read More
Are you looking for that special something to turn your... Read More
Soap scum. Stiff clothing. Clogged pipes. No matter what you... Read More
Storing wines is crucial to keeping wines flavor and letting... Read More
Mini-blinds are very convenient and attractive window treatments. They typically... Read More
Most people would agree that wood shutters are beautiful. They... Read More
Discount bathroom vanities can be found in many places, some... Read More
"There are a number of factors that must be taken... Read More
How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |