Cheap Ways to Decorate Your House

Color is the first step to cheap room transformations.

Decorating the house doesn't have to be an enormous expense. There are inexpensive ways to bring a new look to an existing space without spending a fortune. With a little creativity, color and a touch of transitional style any space can look like a million bucks without breaking the bank.

Bring Color

Paint the walls! Paint makes the biggest change for the least amount of money. A few buckets of color can work wonders in any space, but color should be chosen carefully. Only complimentary colors should be chosen for interior spaces. Dark colors close spaces in, while light colors make small spaces look larger. Always prime before painting and check with your local hardware store for paint sales and if you need help choosing complimentary colors.

Go Retro

Flea markets, second hand stores and garage sales are great places to find bargains on furniture and accessories. Choose a retro, vintage or eclectic theme for your interiors and fill the space with second hand charm. Check antique malls for vintage trinkets, but take care with the price tags in antique stores, where items can be overpriced.

Fabrics

Fabrics can be an inexpensive way to bring texture into interior spaces. Rather than replacing old sofas and chairs, use slip covers. Throw pillows and rugs add interest to interiors for reasonable prices. Look for fabric elements at bargain stores or buy fabrics and sew your own. Curtains are another cheap, easy way to improve the look of any space. Valances are inexpensive, as are panel curtains and rods.

Create Interest

Rather than buying a large painting or mirror, which can be expensive, try bringing small elements together in one area to create interest for less. Buy a collection of mismatched, eclectic picture frames at discount stores, flea markets or antique stores, and position them together on a table, or hang them together on the wall. This also works great with candle sticks because their varying heights and shapes make for big interest.

Scavange

Get everything you can for free. Check with parents, relatives and friends who might have a whole host of items just laying around that they don't want or might be willing to part with knowing they are going to a good home. Old wooden furniture, such as tables, can be painted for cheap. Buy new hardware, such as legs, hinges, knobs and pulls to spruce up old pieces.

References

• The Nest: 10 Ways to Decorate for Less
• Living a Better Life: Budget Decorating
• Bankrate.com: Decorating Your House for Cheap
• Rental Decorating Digest: Simple Ways to Decorate Your Walls on the Cheap