Things You'll Need:
- Photos: preferably your own!
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Step 1
Develop pictures and frame them. What a simple and cheap idea, yet it can be taken so far! The effect of your decorating depends on how you group the pictures you choose to develop. Choose a trip theme, such as your month in Paris, and create your own little gallery in your hallway, full of your photographs from Paris. Another idea is to choose a color group to accent a particular room of your house. Say you'd like red accents in your bedroom, then choose a group of red pictures, not paying attention to what the pictures are of, and hang them. The unique effect of differing subject matter all in the same color will be striking. A collection in black and white is sophisticated and understated, it almost never goes wrong. Always remember to develop your pictures in different sizes and hang them in frames that match your style and the other decorations in the room. In this step, you'll only pay for picture developing (and if you only develop the pictures you're sure of using, it won't be that much) and the price of frames.
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Step 2
Make a cheap desk. Use your own photographs to decorate a piece of furniture you use many times a day. There are many ways you can decorate your own desk. One idea is to develop your photographs, lightly attach them to the surface of the desk and then cover the surface with a measured piece of glass. The glass provides a viewing space and a smooth working environment and can be easily removed to change the photographs. Another idea is to make your own cheap desk. See resources for more information. In this step, you'll only pay for picture developing and a piece of glass (if you already have the desk).
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Step 3
Make your own coffee table books. Forget buying incredibly expensive coffee table books that are normally only used as decorations. Make your own! This is a great way to finally develop some of those millions of photographs on your computer and have people actually look at them. Use an online developing company (there are many), to make your own photo book. You can choose the size, the design and the layout of your photos and have them printed directly onto the paper and sent to your house. The result will be a collection of your own pictures decorating your coffee table. Depending on the size of the book and the number of pages, the cost of the book will vary. However, compared to a store bought coffee table book of photography, your own will be priceless.
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Step 4
Add calendars or magnets. Add some personal touches, even if you are renting or move often. Photo websites now offer many different ways to show your photographs, including printing your pictures onto calendars or magnets. Not only are these two ideas small and easily moved, they are usually placed where they'll be seen many times a day. What a fun and easy way to bring back a great trip or memories of a great friend. The best part, they aren't expensive at all! Check out each website for more information on prices and products.
Comments
showpup said
on 1/27/2009 These make such great conversation starters, too.
kaytay said
on 1/18/2009 great personal decorating ideas. 5 stars and a recommend!
Kimi said
on 1/15/2009 I like all of these ideas, thankyou for these tips! 5*****
deepthinkin said
on 1/9/2009 I like, in particular, the desktop idea - you could be daydreaming about that vacation in Madrid while appearing to be hard at work! LOL! Thanks!
mechelepellebon said
on 1/8/2009 What fun and resourceful ideas for my photographs.