Decorating On A Budget.......

I don't know about you, but it seems that the more chaotic my life is, the more I want to decorate. Perhaps it's because I want to maintain a sense of order in the midst of uncertainty. Perhaps it's because it's one thing that I can control. Regardless of the reasons, decorating can be fun as well as therapeutic. But with the economy in a full recession, sometimes is may not be possible to spend thousands or even hundreds to redecorate your home. But since I'm so cheap, I thought I'd share some tips that I use to still satisfy your decorating itch without breaking the bank.

The first and least expensive way to give the most dramatic change is to paint one or more walls of a room. One gallon of paint can transform an entire room instantly. The supplies needed to paint a room are also very inexpensive. Forget purchasing the most expensive tapes, trays brushes and rollers. While the quality may indeed be a little better, we're talking about saving money. So if you're on a super tight budget, you may have to end up picking a few bristles out of the paint, or spend a little more time getting the tape off, but hey, this is about being cheap! Yeah it takes a little more time and effort, but you can still get excellent results.

Speaking of painting, a great way to get all those garage sale finds to match is to paint them all the same color. The eye will see uniformity before noticing that your end tables don't match or that all your dining room chairs are different. Supplies are very inexpensive.

To add a fresh new look, try adding a pop of color. Sometimes items such as accent pillows, throws or vases can add just enough color to make a dreary room fresh and exciting. These items can be found in clearance bins or thrift stores. The best way to get the look you want is to plan it out first then hold out till you have an entire collection of necessary items. For instance, let's say you want to add a punch of purple. Throw pillows may be found in the clearance section in one store, and a vase or valance may be found at a thrift store and a throw rug may be found at a garage sale. If you're particularly crafty, check out a discount fabric store and make it all yourself. You can just make a cover to fit over existing throw pillows.

A cool free way to change up a room is to rearrange the furniture. Only this time, swap out furniture from other rooms such as end tables or lamps. Try regrouping the pictures or pull all the collectibles into one area to make a theme. Rearrange books and add small odds and ends to create a completely new look.

Another inexpensive way to freshen up drab furniture is to add slipcovers. They come in a myriad of colors and many are machine washable. I recommend choosing a solid color. This way if you want to change color schemes again, all you have to do it change accents. For instance, beige can be accented with red, brown, navy blue or plum.

Adding plants is another great way to bring color to a room. They also add an element of calmness and serenity. I try to have on in every corner when possible. They really do add an element of earth and growth. With spring here try adding fresh flowers.

These are just some of the ideas that can add a bit of freshness to a room or even an entire home. They're so inexpensive, you may be able to to them all and have an entire new room or home! Enjoy!