Decorating on a budget can be difficult
for anyone. However, there are many ways to not break the bank and still
have a beautiful apartment. The following are some tips and tricks to
successfully make your apartment into your home.
Bargain shop or free?
Obviously getting it for free is better than having to pay for it, so it
is highly recommended that you spend time thinking of what you really need for
your place and employ some easy do-it-yourself techniques to update the look of
what some generous soul is willing to discard. Craigslist is a great resource for inexpensive furniture in their
sales section or for free in their free section. Freecycle.com is another option for your area, items go fast and
you must respond quickly. The Penney's
outlet has several brick and mortar stores in addition to their website,
but if you have a brick and mortar store near you, you will find that many of
those same items are priced for a quick sale at over 80% off. A six foot
bookshelf could be had for under $15.00. "Dumpster Diving" is not as gross as it sounds, most
people take their old furnishing out the night before trash day and anything that
appeals to you before it gets picked up is yours to keep.
Shop off season
Do shop for tablecloths after the seasons are over and purchase the
longest tablecloths they have, the amount of material in these tablecloths is a
bargain waiting to be repurposed into pillow cases, curtains, duvet covers,
potholders, etc. A little imagination and less than $5.00 can dress up your
windows and throw pillows in a couple of hours.
Multitask
Small spaces require that furniture
doubles both in comfort and function. Think in terms of getting a coffee table
that also serves as storage with built-in bins. A couch can serve as a bed for
an overnight guest if it is a convertible, a futon or modular piece. When you
purchase a tall buffet server with drawers and doors, you are able to combine
storage space for office supplies, books, photo albums and other miscellaneous
while using the top portion as a chic and solidly built TV stand. Pieces that
do double- or triple-duty are a budget stretcher that is often overlooked.
Home Improvement Warehouses
Places like Lowe's
discontinue furniture pieces, such as bookshelves, credenzas, unusual lighting
and area rugs constantly. Keep your eyes open and check their clearance
sections, purchasing a $100 rug for $25 is more common than most people
realize. Home Depot owns HomeDecoratorsoutlet.com
and their pieces range from classic to modern in a variety of colors that won't
break the budget. Their brick and mortar stores offer clearance items at the
end of the season as well as Homedepot.com,
for example, an electric fireplace
will add warmth and style to any room at a fraction of the original
price.
Big and small and almost free
The biggest item in any room is the walls that encase it. Picking up a
gallon of paint is an inexpensive way to lay the foundation of what is yet to
come. Mis-tinted gallons can be obtained at home improvement warehouses for
less than five dollars and can be re-tinted for free if you are flexible enough
not to demand an exact shade. Small touches are pictures that have meaning to
you and picture frames that can be purchased at the dollar store or garage
sales. Cut flowers and inexpensive vases add freshness. A grouping of small
houseplants in colorful containers will make a windowsill a bright spot in your
home. Place candles on colorful plates found at yard sales or thrift store and
surround them with fragrant herbs, small rocks, decorative fruits or sea
shells.
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Thinking outside the box
The ability to stitch in a straight line to hem a tablecloth can yield
inexpensive and unique window coverings. If a sewing machine is too complex,
curtain clips and hooks work quite well and they come in a variety of finishes
and styles at a low price. Stores such as Wal-Mart and Target often discount
these items throughout the year.
Click HERE for more ideas on home decorating.
Click HERE for more ideas on home decorating.
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