Let’s face it, it can cost an arm and a leg to get a professional interior designer to come to your home and make it look great. When you’re on a budget, you want frugal interior decorating ideas. The following are ideas you can use to change the look of your home and stick to a budget.
Start by deciding which room is most in need of an interior decorating facelift. What things about that room can remain and what would you like to change? Can you keep certain elements or do you want an overall new look?
Next, come up with a budget. Decide how much you can spend and then begin researching to see what you can do yourself and what will require a professional. Two areas you definitely want an expert involved in are plumbing and electricity unless you’re a licensed professional. And once you have your budget squared away, stick to it!
Painting is one way to change the look of a room dramatically without having to get all new furniture and accessories. Don’t be afraid to create a bold, new look by using darker colors. Find a darker shade than the curtains or furniture and create a focal wall. Add a new mirror or wall art to give your room a new look.
Rearrange your current furniture. Pull items from other rooms of the house to be repurposed elsewhere. This is a great way to bring new life to a room without spending any money at all.
Find wallpaper borders to match any style or décor. With a new coat of paint and a new border, you can totally change the look of any room. Bring in a few accessories to complete the room.
Borders can also be used down in the center of the wall to create a chair rail. Paint a darker shade below the border, possibly using glaze and texturing to give the appearance of leather, faux wood, or even marble. Luckily, many of the faux painting techniques can be done as do-it-yourself projects.
If your bathroom is in need of an update, why not refinish your bathtub and sink rather than replacing them? This project may seem difficult, but the fact is anyone who has ever painted with a paint roller can do a bang-up job and make a huge difference in their bathroom. Add new curtains, corresponding towels, and your bathroom will look great without breaking the bank!
Do you have a friend that is gifted with interior decorating? Barter with them by offering to help them in an area where you excel. This could be cooking lessons, babysitting, or whatever you can do that will be comparable in value. Bartering is an age-old way of getting what you want; it can be a win-win proposition for both parties.
Set up a decorating swap meet. Ask friends and family to pull together items they’d like to change and have everyone meet at a central location. Trade those items with one another rather than tossing them or selling them at a yard sale. If the items are still in good shape, this could be a great way to give them new life in a new location.
These ideas aren’t the only ones available, but they can get you started toward creating a new look for your home without breaking your budget. Decide how much you can spend, find frugal ways to make the changes you want, and soon your home will have a new appearance you’ll be proud of.
