Decorating on a Shoestring Budget
Do all those design magazines showcasing rich, elegant-looking interiors make you dream of what it would be like to have the money to create such incredible settings? The truth is, most people aren’t going to have the budget or resources needed to create such a sumptuous look. What people don’t realize is that they can create a room that’s eye-catching and inviting without much expense-all they need is a little of their own unique personality.
Elegance without Expense
Most people think that it’s necessary to have a large budget in order to buy the new furniture, wall hangings, carpet, flooring, accents, and so on it takes to transform the look of a room. Fortunately, it’s possible to create a dramatic impact that doesn’t cost tens of thousands of dollars. With only a few hundred dollars, you can create a look that will equal any dream look you’ve seen in a home decorating magazine.
Make It Your Own
You can start by infusing some of your own personality into the décor. When many people decorate their homes, they look at the latest trends or go with what they think others will find attractive. Unfortunately, they typically end up with the isn’t really the look they were looking for.
Without any personal touches, the whole look is going to seem contrived. What you end up with is bland-colored walls, pictures that don’t really have any personal ties, and windows without any impact. All that “stuff” is there to make your home look exquisite, but somehow it just doesn’t work.
Create a Bold, Dramatic Look
Beside incorporating your own unique personality into your décor, what other steps can you take? Start by creating the atmosphere you desire with paint. Use up to 5 shades of burgundy, forest, and navy for a bold, dramatic look. Just be sure the color of your existing furniture will blend with the color scheme you decide on. Paint your baseboards with a darker shade, and use the lightest shade for the walls.
Add some rich window coverings and a few wall hangings, both which you can make yourself for almost nothing. For instance, you can use satin bed sheets to create some beautiful swag curtains. A great place to find unusual accents is a flea market. You might even ask your children to do some finger painting. Have them use colors that blend with and complement the décor. Then you can mat their work and frame it, resulting in some wonderfully colorful abstract wall hangings.
Let the Energy Flow
Are you looking to create a lively, energetic, and refreshing look? Choosing electric colors, you can use several shades of paint as in the previous description. For example, a wonderful color combination might be bright greens, peach shades, and burnt orange. Then you can display simple botanical prints on the walls or even on a oak dresser and perhaps a straw-colored woven rug for the floor.
You want your furniture to be light, not bulky or oversized. Furnishings, like a wooden coffee table or wood tv stand, should be light-colored and basic and design. Use a sheer material to create your own curtains or use something simple, such as wooden shutters. Remember to concentrate on a look that appeals to you. From there, you can imagine the possibilities.
Add Some Contrast
Contrast can add interest to any look. It used to be that you wouldn’t consider mixing those floral patterns with stripes and plaids, but now it’s become the thing to do. You can really add a wow factor to your décor by mixing things up, as long as you keep it within your color boundaries.
It’s possible to create a one-of-a-kind look on a shoestring budget. All you need is a little imagination mixed with some of your own unique personality.
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