Interior Design On A Budget

Most of us today work hard for what we have and even
though it may not be the best decor, it is still ours.
What many don’t realize is that there are steps you
can take to redesign your interior on almost any
budget.

With a little hard work and a little know-how, you can
take what you have, add a little to it and make it
look like an interior designer came in and did a small
makeover.

You should always start by re-using existing items in
your home. This is where you will save a lot of money.

In fact, you wont spend any money at all. If you take
inventory of what you have and look at things in a
different light, you will see an all-new outlook on
your items.

Sometimes, things in our home become stagnant and we
are used to seeing them day in and day out.

Take those items and consider using them in a
different way. Try moving things around, give them a
good cleaning and find them a new home.

Paint can be your best friend when you are trying to
do interior design on a budget. Paint can totally
change the look of a room, and for only a few dollars
per room.

It just takes a little elbow grease and a little work
to make your old dingy room look new again. And white
is not the only color you can paint your walls.

Experiment with color. New paint cannot only change
the look of your room, but it can change the look of
the furniture you put in it, and the decor you add.

Decorating the Empty Spaces in your Bathroom with Accessories

Do you have extra space in your bathroom and nothing to put in it? Fill it up by fixing up that old straight back chair you have in the shed.

It’s easy to decorate an old chair and make it turn into the talk of time. Take the old chair or bench you have in the shed; go to the thrift shop, goodwill store or even to a yard sale. Sometimes you can buy the old chairs very cheap. People are always setting their old kitchen chairs on the curb, stop and ask if you can have it; they’ll probably give it to you instead of the garbage man.

How to choose your pattern?
Decide first what décor and colors you’re going to use. Be sure to go along with what you have already in there. If you own birds, you can place a birdhouse on your chair. Be creative and think about it before starting your new project. People will notice it everytime they go into the bathroom. Besides filing up an empty spot, you can use it at the same time to put your socks on. Getting out of the shower or tub, a chair comes in handy to sit on while putting on your shoes or even while drying your feet off. Decorating is easy and fun and you’ll be proud of what you have accomplished.

When redoing a chair or bench you first need a theme, decide on the colors and then get to work.

How to remove paint?
All that old paint or varnish needs to be removed. You can find paint and varnish at most stores where paint is sold. After all, after the old paint is removed, sand it down to smooth out the nick and scratches.

The paint on the chair itself needs to be enamel so the moisture can be wiped off easily. Paint your chair; making sure, you use small amounts on the brush to keep it from running and making streaks in the paint when it dries. Let it dry for a couple of days before doing anything more to it.

How to choose additional bathroom accessories for your chair:
You can purchase stencils; rubber stamps or even draw where you want to put a flower or etc. on it. Using ceramic paint in the color or shade of your choice put your design on it. Make it simple but colorful and be creative. You can buy ceramic paint and the brushes to use in any department store that sells craft supplies. When choosing your colors make sure the shades blend in with what you already have on the walls.

When your chair or bench is done stand back and view what you have accomplished. It will surprise you how creative you can be and it is fun too.

Do you like to read for relaxation in the tub? Is there an empty spot next to the chair to sit a basket on the floor and put a couple magazines in it? Some people like to read when they go in the bathroom. A small basket will keep your reading material well, all in one spot so it isn’t walked on or wet when you step out of the tub or shower.

If you are not a reader, but want to add a little more to your bathroom, set a small stand next to it, if there is a shelf on the bottom put some fancy towels on it, take the matching washcloths, and make an artificial plant to set on the top.

Making the flowerpot is easy. Just Take a fancy pot or paint one and use one of the stamps you used on the chair and stamp on it. Next, you roll each washcloth up as if you were putting napkins on the dining room table. Stand the rolled washcloths on end around the pot and put an artificial flower in it. Now you have a stand you can use for those towels and washcloths on special occasions. You can perhaps lay those magazines on one corner, now you have the magazine rack and your towels where people can see but not touch.

Remember don’t overdo it. Make it simple and creative.

A Beautiful Home Need Not Cost A Pretty Penny

by Reba Collins

Most everyone loves to come home to a warm and cozy house at the end of the day but often the beautiful home we envision in our minds is not feasible through our pocketbooks. Does that mean our homes can’t be beautiful? Not at all, we just need to use a little more creativity and do a little more homework to get the finished product we can be proud to call home.

When working on a tight budget, the one thing that will give you the most “bang for your buck” is paint. In an instant, paint will add color, personality, and life to any room. It’s cheap, easy to apply and will actually change the “feelings” of a room’s occupants.

When choosing a paint color, be sure to take into consideration, not only the colors of items that will be staying in the room, but also consider what kind of mood you want to set. Do you want warm cozy colors or fresh, light colors? Color will influence the atmosphere so much that it will impact the mood and emotion taken on by the people who spend time in the room. For example, red is often used in kitchens, dining rooms and restaurants because it piques the appetite. Doing a little research on the internet can help you pick colors and color combos that will work in the room you are decorating.

The next thing that will totally change a room’s appearance without spending any money is to change the arrangement of the furniture. Some rooms will lend themselves to multiple arrangements, others will not. Just be sure to consider the functionality of the furniture placement. Simple things like, being sure every sitting area has a table to set a drink on, or being able to move freely through the room are of major importance to ensure the room is comfortable.

Making a change to the floor or windows will have major impact to a room. Adding an area rug to a room or changing the curtains could be all a room needs to give it the “designer look” you want. Remember, these items can be really expensive. Consider checking out garage sales and thrift stores because with a little patience, you may find just what you want without spending much money. Also be aware that these items go on sale and clearance, again, patience could help you save a lot of money. Either way, new or gently used, be sure to watch for good quality and shop around for pricing as where you purchase could make a huge difference in the cost.

The last thing that can really add personality to a room without much cost is adding accessories. Pretty pillows can add a much needed “punch” of color. Vases, candles, picture frames and nick nacks can add sparkle. Art for the walls is a must but doesn’t have to be expensive. Pick up old wall art from thrift stores and use the frames for your own art pieces. These frames can be painted, refinished or used “as is” and can make an art piece you painted look like an expensive original. Just be creative.

As you can see, there are many ways to add life and beauty to the living spaces in your home without spending a lot of money. Do a little homework, put on your creative “thinking-cap”, use a little patience and get started turning your home into the beautiful and cozy place you’ve always envisioned.

Reba Collins writes about home decorating at her website, www.HomeDecoratingInsight.com. Reba’s website is packed with info you can use to make your home the beautifully comfortable place you want. Learn about decorating, add comments, & read reviews of your fav TV shows & magazine. Come have fun!

Article Source: http://www.ladypens.com

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