Spring is here and for many of us it's the perfect time to organize and decorate. As winter passes into spring, it's out with the old look and in with the new look. This is a great time to bring some new ideas into your home and liven things up!
Spring is a great time to find bargains on decorating accessories at yard and garage sales. As the seasons change, many times your local thrift and consignment stores will have a change in inventory. This is the time when many folks finally donate unwanted merchandise that's just been sitting around the garage or house. Spring cleaning!
My advise??..have your own yard or garage sale and make some extra money on those items. But, lucky for us frugal shoppers, there are some folks who just don't want to take the time. So, be sure not to miss out on decorating supplies, furnishings, accessories, paint, wallpaper, and fabrics that can be found at many thrift stores.
Sometimes pulling items from one room to another and simply re-organizing, fixing up, or just using an item in a different way can be enough. Add a fresh coat of paint, different window dressings and replacement of furnishings, and WHA LAH! You have a new room.
Need some paint? If you can be flexible about color, check the mis-mixed table at your local home improvement, hardware, or paint stores. You can find high quality paints for a fraction of the original retail cost when colors don't turn out exactly as they should have. Sometimes you can find a slight variation of just the color you've already picked that will work just as well with your selected color scheme and save you lots of money.
I buy these mis-mixed paints (usually for $2-3 per gallon or less) throughout the year and store them appropriately for later use. This way I go shopping in my own paint department first to see if I can accommodate the decorating plan I have chosen. Planning ahead and grabbing these types of decorating supplies when they're a bargain is a great way to maximize your savings.
Collecting fabrics for future use is also another great idea. Even unwanted clothing can be used to create small window dressings, pillow covers, and accessories. Many people give away scraps of fabrics or sell them at yard sales. Be sure to check clearance and end piece items at sewing and fabric shops. It's really so simple to make a curtain or a pillow. Usually only requires sewing simple seams.
For more complicated tasks, if you can't figure it out for yourself, you're sure to find a how to book at any library or search on-line for free information.
I've found some excellent ideas for decorating on a budget, do-it-yourself projects, and some great decorating theme ideas from HGTV (Home and Garden Television). Even if you don't get this wonderful T.V. channel in your home, you can go on-line at HGTV.com to benefit from some wonderful ideas and projects by professionals. There's a lot for do-it-yourselfers here! You can get some great ideas for areas of your home where you just don't know what to do with it.
Before you make your plans, check out several books at the library on home decorating. You will find no shortage of books on this subject. Glance through them and grab ideas to incorporate into your own decorating task. If you have a specific challenge to overcome, likelihood is someone else has already encountered it, conquered it, and written a book or web page about it. Use their knowledge! It will save you time and frustration of figuring it out.
My last words, of course, DO YOUR RESEARCH! Know your options.
Remember??..Informed Consumer=More Savings.
Happy decorating.
Cheryl Johnson is a mother of four helping herself and others become and remain debt free. Publisher of http://www.simpledebtfreeliving.com - A self-help plan, ideas, and resources for debt reduction, personal budgeting, frugal living, and extra income opportunities. Money saving tips for groceries, clothing, ,home decorating, monthly bills, and much more.
Shutters are a wonderful addition to any home. They give... Read More
How do you envision your dream home? Is it rich... Read More
In interior design, the blinds found on windows and doors... Read More
Once upon a time, shower curtains were functional? and they... Read More
Window shutters can serve many purposes. In areas of the... Read More
The basic bathroom vanity includes a mirror or medicine cabinet... Read More
Wine picnic baskets are just the ticket for two, four,... Read More
Having a nice house is everyone dreams. In fact, everybody... Read More
The easiest and most inexpensive way to invigorate the design... Read More
There's good news about hardwood floors. Because of advanced construction... Read More
The proper pool table lights is critical to playing your... Read More
The original, the granddaddy of all of today's items bought... Read More
Children's bedroom furniture and nursery furniture can help turn a... Read More
A duvet is a type of bedding, similar to a... Read More
Pressed glass, Depression glass and crystal - this month we'll... Read More
Ceiling fans sell at a wide range of prices. They... Read More
Many people love the look and feel of down comforters,... Read More
Fitting new couch slipcovers is a great way to instantly... Read More
Typically a small space consisting of just a sink and... Read More
Any wine collection is not complete without a collection of... Read More
Use kitchen island ideas to better understand how to create... Read More
Now that you have purchased some fine wood furniture, it... Read More
The art and craftsmanship of the original designs are evident... Read More
In order to help give a room a classier touch,... Read More
Over the past several months I have been actively working... Read More
Woven wood shades, also known as bamboo shades, are a... Read More
Granite is not only the hardest material available for countertops;... Read More
Because psychologists relate true happiness to joyous occurrences happening frequently,... Read More
Decorating with area rugs is one of the easiest ways... Read More
Many years ago I was told that the least expensive... Read More
Wood blinds offer nature's rich, subtle colors and unique textures.... Read More
Summer decorating is a wonderful time to lighten up the... Read More
Giving you home an instant makeover can be as simple... Read More
Vending massage chairs are coin-operated devices that can be found... Read More
Homeowners who are seeking to increase value to their homes... Read More
Did you know that our bodies can automatically react to... Read More
If you feel helpless when it comes to picking and... Read More
Everything has its day and its time, and Wedgwood China... Read More
Portable dishwashers are just the ticket for those with less... Read More
By their very nature, all fruit baskets, especially the original... Read More
When you decorate your home, think twice about the colors... Read More
Limperts Academy of Design, an international awarding body for design... Read More
You may need to replace dishwasher parts from time to... Read More
Amish Furniture makes a home warm and welcoming. Hard woods,... Read More
Shower curtain rods give you a unique opportunity to showcase... Read More
Perhaps the best air purifiers are those from the IQAir... Read More
Many people mistakenly assume that an air conditioning only controls... Read More
The world of antiques can be confusing. What's the difference... Read More
If you like clean, simple, oak furnishings, you're likely an... Read More
No conservatory is complete without beautiful conservatory furniture to relax... Read More
Although the exact date remains a mystery, it is commonly... Read More
I love the decorative look of a ceiling fan as... Read More
When colonial families settled on the Eastern seaboard, they set... Read More
Many people agree that flowers are one of the most... Read More
A wood stove insert serves several purposes. First of all,... Read More
If your furniture could do with a new look, then... Read More
Who doesn't love the look of shutters? On the outside,... Read More
Bathrooms do not always offer many opportunities to make style... Read More
Did I get your attention? Sorry, I just couldn't resist!... Read More
A down comforter is a luxury item that can be... Read More
The basic belief behind Feng Shui is that there are... Read More
Tabriz are one of the most popular Persian rugs. Tabriz... Read More
Want to relive the excitement of California's gold rush of... Read More
They look so lifelike, that time and time again people... Read More
Psychology of colors ? the bedroomColor can have an astounding... Read More
If your kitchen is U-shaped or L-shaped, a corner kitchen... Read More
Interior Design & Decorating |