Do you ever watch home decorating shows and feel your jaw hit the floor when you hear how much money people have to spend? I know I do! Most times, I can’t even begin to wrap my head around having such a large budget to work with.
Eventually, though, I remember that for most people (including myself), the budget involves a much, much, much smaller number. And you know what? That’s totally okay.
Why? Because this thing call life exists–and we all lead different ones. Some of us live solo while others of us have large families. Some of us are somewhere in between. Each of us needs a space that works with what goes on in our daily lives. Not all of us need that formal dining room with ceiling-to-floor drapes. Maybe we need a large open concept that gives us a more casual environment to feed our families or entertain instead.
Don’t get me wrong, flipping through design magazines are a ton of fun and it’s great to dream–but will those dreams fit with the reality of your current home or family life? Sometimes, it’s best to lower the target just a bit and aim for the reality of what we can handle monetarily. This in no way means that your home won’t be as beautiful as the person who spends lavishly. It just means that it will be beautifully functional in a way that suits your particular lifestyle–which is the whole point of decorating anyway, right?
Believe it or not, there are a number of things you can do to makeover your home without breaking the bank. Even if you do happen to have a hefty amount to spend, it doesn’t mean you have to splurge on every little thing. Let’s take a look at some clever options that can help you decorate in a way that suits both your budget and your style.
Rearrange your furniture. The whole feel of a room can change just by moving your existing furniture around. Seriously! Simply changing the focal point by pulling sofas away from the wall or facing chairs in a different direction can make a huge difference.
Dress up your windows. If you don’t already have window coverings, try purchasing fabric and making valances, which is sure to add a level of completeness to the room. Alternatively, if you currently have drapes, try adding tassels or another trim to add depth and character to your window treatments. It’s little details like these that can give your window treatments a high-end look without actually having the high-end price tag.
Beautify your built-ins. If you have built-ins such as bookshelves, consider painting or adding wallpaper to the visible backing of them. You could even paint the entire built-in with a color that’s complementary to the walls. It’s a fun way to add a punch of color without having to repaint the entire room.
Consider a chair rail. With the invention of stick-on molding, adding a chair rail to a room is a breeze. For added drama, pick a paint color you love and paint the area above and below the chair rail a different shade of it. This is such an easy way to elevate the look of the room without having to invest in major cosmetic work.
Give your furniture a slipcover makeover. If your furniture is in bad shape, then slipcovers are not the answer. However, if your furniture is in good condition, but looks dated, then using slipcovers is an inexpensive way to bring it back to life. Keep in mind that a lot of slipcovers are generic, meaning they are designed as a one-size-fits-all, which isn’t the case for every sofa. You don’t have to go custom, but consider investing a bit more in their area so you can get one that fits your sofa nicely. Talented with a sewing machine? Save extra money by making one yourself, while still not compromising on the fabric that you would like to use!
Update your pillows. Although you can purchase new, you can get exactly what you want by adding new covers to your current pillows. Make the area a bit more cohesive by replacing an overabundance of little pillows with a smaller number of larger pillows. Another idea is to make or buy pillow covers that can be switched out seasonally or when your in the mood for a change.
Paint your front door. Don’t forget the easy touches you can give the outside of your house. Give that front door some character by covering it in affordable exterior paint. Think fun colors like shades of yellows, blues, greens and reds. Make sure to check with your HOA prior to any exterior paint changes of course!
Rearrange your wall hangings. If the artwork on your wall hasn’t been moved in years, try finding it a new home. You could even have some items reframed so they stand out even more, or you can build a frame yourself with some crown molding. Up for a DIY project? Consider making some fabric panels. They’re a fun, affordable, and creative way to incorporate fabric into your home in another manner besides upholstery.
Change out the shower curtain. It doesn’t get any easier than this. Changing the shower curtain is a very simple way to freshen up any bathroom.
Spice up your kitchen cabinets. A fresh coat of paint or stain goes a long way. If you’re happy with the color of your cabinets, jazz them up with some new hardware.
Light it up. Replace outdated fixtures with something new. A simple chandelier, some pendant lighting, wall sconces, even new lamps or lampshades can dramatically change the look of the room.
Mirror, mirror. On the wall, that is. Mirrors are a simple way to add character to any room. Additionally, mirrors give the illusion of a larger space. Check out our online gallery, or come in to see any current selection of high end consignment mirrors we may have!
Think green. Not only do they purify the air we breathe, plants can be a wonderful decorating tool. Add some greenery to your home showcased in a variety of colored pots.
The great news is that you don’t have to be an artist or an avid do-it-yourselfer to redo your space. It is doable for anyone to beautify their home on a budget with the help of CUTTING CORNERS – DALLAS, TX and some creativity!
