Decorating on a Budget

Decorating on a budget can be challenging, but it can be very rewarding too when you sit down in your finished room and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Learn how to decorate your home with these tips and ideas—and still have money left in your wallet.

Start with plan. You’ve probably heard this before, but by having a plan you will avoid a lot of detours and pitfalls. Having a plan doesn’t mean that you know exactly what you want to do with your rooms; what it does mean is having a place to begin and a direction to keep you going. This will keep you from mistakes and save you a lot of time and money.

So start with the three things you need to know most… color, style, and form. With all the colors available, selecting a color scheme can become overwhelming and confusing. Look through magazines, catalogs, visit furniture stores or pat and wallpaper stores—something will catch your eye.

While you’re looking through magazines, catalogs or visiting furniture stores, notice what style appeals to you. Maybe you feel most comfortable with Country Farmhouse, or come alive with a bold Contemporary style, or perhaps you like the familiarity of a Traditional design, or it might be the Eclectic look—a little bit of everything. Whatever catches your fancy, notice how items are displayed so you can get ideas for your own home. And think innovatively. Many items that are meant for one use can be creatively adapted for use in another way.

And finally, form. Perhaps you like a more formal look where the room is decorated in a particular period, or you like things to match symmetrically. You may like a more informal look where there is a relaxed feeling to the room. Just be sure it fits you and your or you and your family.

So, the next challenge is to do this on a budget.

Many furniture stores have outlet centers with ongoing or seasonal furniture sales. Furniture in these outlets may be slightly scratched, a second, an overrun, or imperfect. Prices reflect the imperfections and may also be negotiated.

Look for furniture in the classified, flea markets, consignment shops or yard sales. You can buy quality furniture this was for a fraction of the cost of new.  Attending auctions is another way of buying quality one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories. Take advantage of the preview time to examine any pieces of interest. Painting furniture is a great was to renew old tables, chairs, desks or book cases.

Shop for alternative products whenever possible. Flat sheets, which are especially inexpensive during “white sales”, come in many colors and patterns. They make great curtain panels, comforter covers and matching throw pillows. If you need to find a color or design you like, buy an extra sheet—you never know when you might need it for your color scheme.

Sometimes you won’t be able to find exactly what you’re looking for, so you will need to get creative. Look at furniture with an eye for its line, size, and details. It may be able to be repainted and up-dated with new hardware. Painting furniture all one color helps unify your furniture grouping. Or a scratched table can be sanded and re-stained. And covered seats can be recovered with a pretty coordinating color.

Another way to stretch your decorating dollar is to create your own artwork. Frame what is free: items from nature, create a collage, make a shadowbox collection and use your camera. Framed photos can make beautiful artwork.

With a little thinking ahead and a little creativity, you can have a well decorated home on a budget.