Financially, times are tough, but this does not lessen your desire to create a stylish home that is comfortable for your family and inviting to your guests. While plenty of cash makes this easier, imagination and creativity can help you achieve some exciting results on a shoestring. The sections that follow may provide inspiration for making your home look cozy and attractive without a large infusion of cash:
COLLECT THE BASICS
The most useful way to begin inexpensively redecorating is to spend time gathering secondhand furnishings from yard sales, flea markets, Freecycle, Craig’s List, neighbors, and relatives. Many older tables, chairs, lamps and bookcases still have some life left, but they just need a bit of tender loving care to rejuvenate them. Try some of these projects to put the spark back into worn furniture:
• Paint a solid color on wooden surfaces and then dip a sponge into a contrasting color of paint and press against the wood to add an interesting textured finish or apply colorful decals to add a whimsical touch.
• If the wood is already somewhat damaged, just use a hammer and ice pick to distress it further and put on another coat of stain to create a great antique look.
• Replace old hinges, knobs, handles, and pulls with updated varieties purchased from a salvage or discount store.
• Purchase economical slip covers to hide strange upholstery patterns, stains, or tears. They’ll make any piece of furniture look almost brand new again and are a wonderful investment because they launder so well.
• Use a working lamp base from one lamp with the more appealing shade from another, or spray paint the base to make it more appealing.
ADD A PERSONAL TOUCH
• Blow up photographs from special family moments or make a collage of action pictures to use on the walls.
• Give each child a pretty box or basket to collect their favorite things from nature. This might be pretty rocks, holly berries, greenery, pine cones, or shells, but they will make a nice display that does not cost a penny.
• Use fabric from old jeans, dresses, or sweaters to make throw pillows look just like new without any added investment.
• Invest in a few ceramic tea pots, purchased at a yard sale for just a few dollars, and use as containers for fresh flowers
• Add light wherever possible. Candles, Christmas lights, lamps, and lanterns give any décor a softer glow and a warm feel.
• Make a unique display on a small table top using only tiny toys from the children’s favorite collections mixed with some living green plants or flowers.
Homes are made for love and laughter, and sometimes we spend too much money trying to make them a showcase. Instead, work toward creating a family friendly environment that is attractive without being ostentatious.
Caroline loves to find ways to make her cash go further. She has written about money-saving tips for several blogs and has a website that sells slip covers for chairs. Caroline believes that a little creativity goes a long way and it’s possible to make your home look great without a large outlay of cash.
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