With decorating it is not so much the amount of money spent but more the wisdom used in spending it. Your imagination is the key. Below you will find 10 tips for making the most of your decorating dollars. 1. The Price Is Right
Satisfaction in your design comes less from the cash and more from finding reasonable solutions to aggravations. If you will plan on being creative and thinking outside the box you will be able to do an elegant job on a close budget.
Unfortunately few if any of us have the means to spend tons of money to decorate. Truth be told “money is no object” is a phrase that is limited to Donald Trump and Bill Gates and believe it or not they do not use it much. Just ask some of the best designers in the business how many times they have actually been handed that line from a client. In reality they will tell you they don’t and in fact claim their best ideas come from strict budgets. No matter whether you budget is limited by purpose or necessity below you will find some excellent tips for working within it.
• Start with a small amount of expensive fabric and fill in the gap with inexpensive materials. For instance choose sailcloth for drapes, slip covers and table skirts and use pricier materials for trim.
• When the choice in cost is either materials or labor whatever else you have to do go with the better labor. A good decorator or drapery designer can use inexpensive fabrics and make a master piece, while cheap labor can use silk and it look like paper. Luxury and elegance can be added through the placement of delicate stitching or precisely place appliqués. Never skimp on the artisans.
• The whole idea is to use every cost saving device that you can, Do the things that you are capable of doing and save the money for better furnishings or for specialized labor on the frills.
• First use the best of what you have, then fill in what is missing. You may be amazed at the design ideas that will not cost you a thing. Furniture rearranging can totally transform a room. You can also swap furniture from room to room changing the appearance of both. Do some of these tricks before heading for the home improvement store.
2. It's in the Details
When working with a plain room you can often add architectural elements fairly cheap and make a huge difference. There are many reasonably priced types of wood molding that you can stain or paint and will totally change the look of the space.
3. Make Your Space Work for You
If Monet is out of the question you can still find wonderful artwork for your walls.
• Find a book that has wonderful illustrations, now take about ten to twenty of the pages and create art by cutting, matting and framing them. Place them on the same wall to achieve a collective look.
• Similarly you can take a print you already have or an inexpensive one found at a flea market and dress it up with professional looking mat and frame.
4. Hanging Around
With the simplest tool in the tool box and some inexpensive nails you can make a plain wall look fabulous. Group your artistic finds into arrangements a museum would be proud of. Before you start it is a good idea to make your self a template, trace around the frames on some construction paper then cut the shapes out. These will be your guide to setting up the collection. Tape them on the wall in different configurations and when you are happy with a look drive a nail through the paper, now remove the template and hang your pictures.
5. Save with Sheets
Sheets are not just for beds anymore, the vast designs and patterns plus the affordability make them a great fabric to work with on a budget. Make color coordinated curtains, table skirts, or upholster that fantastic old headboard you found in the attic. The ideas don’t end there, make shower curtains and matching skirt for a wall mounted sink. You can even add strip to your towels to give them a fancy coordinated look.
6. Sew It Up to Save Dough
Fabric can cover many minor issues and can make a huge difference in the appearance of a room. The nicest thing about using fabrics is the allow you the freedom to easily change the décor from season to season. For instance use cool breezy floral print covers in the summer and warmer earth tones in the winter. For seat cushions the amount of fabric needed is small enough that you can probably find it on sale as a remnant. If you are not talented with a needle ask an upholsterer to do it for you.
• Old chairs get a new lease on life with a fresh slip cover. Make it look like a different piece for a lot less money.
• You do not have to break the bank with expensive fabrics. The key to making inexpensive fabrics look luxurious is to use more of it. Layer it on, instead of one table skirt make three, a mini, mid level and maxi.
• For a great contrasting look use a solid color fabric in a similar shade as the walls. Then use slip covers, table skirts or window shades in dove grey, ivory, camel or creamy yellow. When not using patterns you can still make it visually appealing by choosing different textures.
• If you are determined to mix fabrics and colors it is a little more complicated however you can improve your success by starting with a paisley or floral adding a stripe or plaid, then use a solid.
• Draw inspiration from decorating magazines and books. You will find that most will use three colors in their fabric choices in differing amounts. They may start with a lot of blue, a bit of white and just a touch of yellow.
• Use a repeating theme to create a continuous flow. Make throw pillows with the same fabric as the curtains, or trim the throws and window coverings with the same frill.
7. Size Matters
Want the appearance of wealth? You can buy tons of things to fill a room to the brim or you can buy a few larger items. Invest a larger amount of money in an item that will be the center piece of your design. Spending more here will allow you to spend less on the peripherals. For example buy an oversize mirror in the place of many small ones. Perhaps a large armoire instead of small coffee tables no one will notice.
8. Know-How Stretches the Pocketbook
The best place to invest your money initially will be in expert advice. Take some of your limited budget and use it to seek the knowledge that may save you money and misery.
Look everywhere for ideas that are low or no cost. Go on tours of homes; check out model homes and designer show houses. Gather information from everywhere at your favorite restaurant, the bank and even clothing stores, you can get some great ideas for colors and materials.
When it comes right down to it the amount you spend is not nearly as important as how wisely you spend it. Your imagination is your best friend. Make the most of your limited finances and be willing to think outside the box, maybe a little eccentrically. The idea is to create a space you are happy with and is affordable by using creativity.
Have fun, try new ideas and be a little daring every now and again. You will create a home that not only looks great but that reflects your spirit and ingenuity.
9. Paint It Pretty!
Don’t automatically default to the old stand by of white paint. White walls are classic but they also demand beautiful artwork and furniture. In addition white will make it glaringly apparent that something is missing if you have a lightly furnished room. Using pastels and dark colors will close in these empty spaces.
Solid colors are not your only choice either. The library or local bookstore will have tons of books on painting techniques. Many home improvement stores are also offering free or low cost tutorials on combing, glazing, sponging or stenciling. With a little practice you can turn your home into a work of art for a small investment.
10. Beyond Your Walls
Do not look at paint as only an option for the walls. A good coat of paint can do wonders for floors and furniture as well. Try a couple of coats of latex topped with a few coats of polyurethane to convert that old floor that appears beyond help. You can paint wood, tile or even linoleum in this manner.
In the same way you can dress up old furniture. Paint that old dresser that has been passed around the family a clean crisp white and you have a wonderful cottage look in minutes. Ever try finding matching chairs from a flea market or second hand shop? Now you don’t have to just gather four to six chairs and paint them matching colors!
