How to Decorate on a Small Budget

It's time to give your home a new look, but you don't have a lot of cash to spend. Don't give up the idea of redecorating. With a little creativity, you can change the feel and look of your living space without breaking the bank.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Craft glue
• Photographs
• Slipcovers
• Postcards
• Throw pillows
• Picture frames
• Collectibles
• Calender pictures
• Paint
• Posters
• Flat bedsheets
• Paint supplies
• Iron

1. Paint the walls, doors and trim in the rooms you want to redecorate. Repaint using the existing colors just to freshen up the rooms, or choose a whole new color palette. Painting is an inexpensive decorating option you can do yourself.

2. Evaluate your furniture. Get rid of worn-out, broken or unused pieces. Rearrange what's left to create comfortable, attractive rooms. Allow for natural traffic flow into and out of the rooms.

3. Change your window coverings. Make inexpensive, no-sew curtains out of flat bedsheets. Turn the edges down and iron, then use no-sew craft glue to create the hem. Use a flat sheet in a coordinating color to drape across the top for a swag.

4. Cover sofas and chairs with slipcovers if the furniture is stained and tired looking but still in good condition. Replace comforters on beds. Shop for the best deals before purchasing.

5. Frame postcards, posters and pictures from calendars to make attractive and inexpensive art to hang on the walls. Update framed family photos and reposition in new groupings on your walls, tables and shelves.

6. Display any collections you've accumulated together instead of scattering them around the house. The groupings will look more like art displays than clutter.

7. Add extra throw pillows to beds, sofas and chairs. Shop around for good deals or make your own.

Tips & Warnings

• Remember, one man's junk is another man's treasure. Shop flea markets and garage sales for accessories and furniture that may just need a fresh coat of paint.
• Sometimes paint doesn't look the same on your walls as it does in the can. Purchase a quart of paint and test it on a small section of the wall to see if you like the color.

[zemzem82]

on 1/12/2009 thanks for the ideas- zemzem.ecrater.com