Carefully decorating your home gives your living space a
special touch that reflects your personality. However, it's easy to drain your
bank account if you don't plan your decorating budget ahead of time. Fortunately,
there are a number of easy ways to decorate your home tastefully without
straining your budget.
Buy Used Decor
Collecting gently used decor is a great way to recycle goods
that would otherwise end up in a landfill. Thrift stores are usually full of
eclectic pieces that can help you build your own collection. Throughout the
year, you can usually find pieces for your holiday collections as well. Weekend
garage sales are another great way to find inexpensive pieces. Shopping
secondhand is also a great way to pick up cheap pieces that you can experiment
on without worrying about destroying an expensive or sentimental piece of
decor.
Make Your Own Decorations
Even if you think you're not a crafty or creative person,
you can make some decorations with just a few materials and a bit of time. For
example, if you have a sewing machine, you can sew new covers for your couch's
throw pillows. These small items can bring a fresh pop of color into your
living room. If you want to bring a touch of nature into your home, consider
making your own terrarium with a few plants, some rocks, and a glass container.
Paint
Paint is an inexpensive way to transform a large portion of
your home over a weekend. If you're tired of the bland look of your current
walls, head to your local hardware store to find your favorite color of paint.
Painting just one wall in a room can easily add a focal point that will draw
your eyes. You can also use paint to transform other elements of your
decorating, such as picture frames and vases.
Hang Curtains
Curtains are a great way to add texture and focal points to
your home. If you already have curtains, consider replacing them with a new
set. If you previously had dark curtains, installing a set of lighter curtains
will brighten your home. Don't despair if you don't already have curtain rods;
installing rods is an easy weekend project that won't break the bank.
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Transform Old Furniture
You may have a few old furniture pieces lurking in your
attic or garage. Give these pieces new life by transforming them with paint or
a new finish. Choose colors that will blend in with the color palette in your
home. If you don't have any furniture to use for this project, keep your eyes
open for old and affordable pieces at garage sales and thrift stores.
Reduce and Rearrange
Some rooms may look overburdened with too many accessories
and poor arrangements. Try starting with a blank canvas by clearing out your
accessories. After emptying a decorative space, such as your coffee table, add
two or three pieces from another room. Try viewing your new centerpiece from
different angles to help you create a compelling look with your decorations.
Jane Blanchard writes for Modernize.
