subject: Can You Decorate Your Home With Little Or No Money? [print this page] Is it really possible to have a nicer-looking home when you have more money to spare for paying pending bills than for buying home decors needed for home renovation?
One of the best ways to save money when redecorating is to thrift shop. Yard sales, thrift stores, auctions, and resale shops have almost everything you will need to redecorate. Here you can get curtains, furniture, and accessories for a fraction of the price. Sometimes you can even find beautiful accessories at dollar stores.
Going to discount outlets or commonly known as dollar stores is a good shopping deal. Most items are considered surplus from department stores or retail chains. Therefore, even branded items are available but for a more reasonable price. Okay, you don't get the fancy paper bags from a home decor shop with the handle, logo and all, but who cares about plain-looking plastic bags? Aside from the environmentalists, none so far if you count yourself more concerned with what's inside. Better yet, bring your own bag to avoid adding to the non-biodegradable materials piling up on our Mother Earth. What matters are the amazing goods and prices dollar stores offer for budget-conscious consumers and wise-spending shoppers (yes, they do exist now that the recession is at full force).
Here's another simple trick to acquire new decorative items - go to your basement or attic and check out your storage. You might not have seen things you've kept for quite some time and sorting through them can reveal some stuff that you can now use for your home. If not exactly as a display, then perhaps as a material for making other accessories. Old belongings don't mean trash. With some cleaning and polishing, some furnishings can still be used. What did not work in the past might work now.
DIY techniques are cost-effective compared to buying brand new items. Being able to implement your own ideas is also a bonus in making your own things. You can do this for your decors to add personality to your place. Your own made photo frames and artworks will make great wall hangings. If you're into sewing fabrics, you can make your own pillow covers and seat cushions. Having a collage is also a fun way to keep personal items and other collectibles. A corkboard usually used for posting messages can be your base material. Paint the corkboard with the room's color. Accessorize it with other colorful items such as old colored glass knick-knacks. Smash the glasses of various colors and glue the pieces on the board. You can even choose your own pattern or shape it into a form of your choice. Furthermore, the corkboard can also be for displaying photographs, special notes and letters or artworks. There are so many things you can do on your own costing a minimal amount for buying the materials. Your creativity will bring you a long way.
If you have storage bins full of old clothes, you can use them too. Choose the items that are your favorite colors or prints, and then cut them into various shapes. Match two identical shapes together (square on square), and sew the clothing closed so that there is only one opening. Stuff with PolyFill and sew the last opening shut. You now have recycled your favorite old clothes into useful throw pillows! You can make about 10 of these for the price of 1 store bought throw pillow and they add much depth and color to a room.
This article will not be complete without including an essential decorative item - area rug. There are budget-friendly rugs available in an assortment of colors, designs, shapes, sizes and fabrics. Hence, even if you buy brand new ones, you don't have to spend an arm and leg to get quality and good-looking rugs. Area rugs are easy to match with any decorations and furnishings. They can also be used as both floor covers and wall hangings. Moreover, area rugs are easier to clean than carpeting, which makes for less chore and expenses for maintenance. Your home will look so good no one will know that you decorated with a tight hold on your finances unless you tell, that is. I won't, so your secret is safe.
