How to Decorate a House for Less
The art of decorating a house is the challenge of turning any space into a place that feels like home. Decorating on a budget can pose additional design demands, but such obstacles can easily be overcome with a few simple tricks. Use your wit, sense of personal style and acquired skills to make any home feel welcoming and inviting without spending a lot of money. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Paint the walls. Paint can fit into any budget. A paint color should help accomplish goals for the room. If you want the room to feel larger, use a neutral colors such as white. If you want the room to feel cozier, choose darker colors like red. Painting a space is not difficult. Clean the walls first. Place material on the floor and furniture to protect such areas from drips. Place painter's tape on wall surfaces you want to protect such as moldings. Paint using a roller for large areas and a paintbrush around the edges of the room. Let dry overnight and apply a second coat of paint.
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Use items found at garage sales. Garage sales can be a great place to find items in practically new condition. Bring a pickup truck or similarly large vehicle if you can to carry away larger items such as furniture. Beware that all sales are essentially final so inspect an item carefully before buying.
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Stencil the walls. A stencil is a painted design that can help tie a room together. Stencils are traditionally painted just below a ceiling or above a chair rail. You can purchase a stencil kit at major hardware stores for under $20. Such kits contain plastic stencils, brushes and stencil paints. Place the stencil on the wall and tape it down. Paint the interior of the stencil using less paint as you near the edges of the stencil. Remove the plastic and place it next to the finished stencil. Repeat as necessary until the stencil has been placed completely around the room.
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Create homemade artwork. Art need not be expensive or impersonal. Make a collage. Have copies made of your favorite pictures. Shellac to piece of heavy cardboard. Insert the cardboard into a frame and hang on the wall.
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Reuse items. Fill Easter baskets with cut flowers all summer long. Stack thick books on the floor to serve as side tables. Frame attractive linens and hang on the wall to serve as art.
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