How do I decorate on a very limited budget?

Question

I want to make my house a home, I just don't have alot of money

Answer 1

Shop at thrift stores or yard sales....throw pillows, vases, etc...

If you have children, have them create "art", then frame it. Frame dried flowers, leaves... frames are inexpensive at Walmart.....

Buy used furniture...paint it or stain it. Make it your own.

Dollar stores have nice decorative things too....

Free seashells, if you live near or visit a beach. You can put them in bowls...or vases.

Take snapshots and have them enlarged, then frame those. It is really inexpensive to have them enlarged at Walmart.

I couldnt find the exact color curtains that I wanted for my son's room so I bought some fabric that was sale-priced, hot-glued a seam at the top and bottom, then ran a curtain rod through the top seam...it rocked!

I have purchased regular curtain panels for windows and used some fake ivy over the top to add a decorative touch.

Good luck...and remember, you do not have to buy expensive things to make a house a home. Personal touches will make it your home. =)

Answer 2

You don't need a lot of $$$. Here are some suggestions:

1. Paint. This is the most inexpensive way to really spice up a room, change the look or warm up a space. If you can't afford high-end paint, consider this: most paint stores have paint that wasn't mixed to the right color that you can buy for peanuts... Or consider using Boomerang paint. It's recycled paint, is good quality and comes in quite a few colors. Here's a link:
http://www.boomerangpaint.com/philo.asp

2. Search fabric stores for remnants. Use these to recover chair seats, make curtains, etc. Your money goes a long way when buying discontinued fabrics. The same holds true for discontinued wallpaper.

3. Shop local thrift stores, garage sales, yard sales, etc. You'll find some good ideas there. And remember, lots of stuff can be painted, stained, scraped, etc. to give it the look you want.

4. When you do buy, buy as high quality as you can afford. This means you'll get good quality and items will last longer. Take your time. You don't need to do it all in one day.

5. Consider what you already have. Can items be sanded, painted, stained, etc., to look different and nicer? This is often a solution we opt for when preparing a home to sell.

6. Visit your local library. Often, large libraries will have a section that rents out paintings, lithos, etc. This is a very inexpensive way to decorate your walls. And it's fun! You get to change them every 3 months!

7. Plants. Lots of them. Plants warm up a room and make it cozy right away. Make certain those you buy are made for where you'll be putting them... if they're in the sun, make sure they take sun well and vice versa.

8. Mirrors. Often inexpensive but what amazing decor possibilities! Mirrors relfect light and brighten up rooms. They make great statements!

9. Stuck on what to use as drapes? Consider using gorgeous flat sheets! A very inexpensive way to get great window treatment!

10. Have any furniture that's stuck away in the attic or basement? Consider making it do double duty. I have a fantastic antique sewing machine (it doesn't work!). I turned it into a small table in the hallway, put a small basket on it for keys and a small plant. Instant class!

Look around your home and look at it with new eyes. You'll come across stuff that can be used differently. Be daring! And keep in mind, if you don't like what you've done... you can always change it!

Happy decorating! And feel free to email if you need any more help!

Answer 3

do a vintage thing -- its creative and fun and you and your family can go to flea markets and bond over bad food.

shop ikea, target too, walmart is even great for towels and simple stuff.

i get tons of stuff on ebay for about 1/10 the price it would cost at a flea market even. just search what you want and set it for closest auctions first so you can go and pick it up and don't have to pay postage. the only used furniture you don't want is a matress. buy that new. buying vintage also helps save the world by reusing what is already available.

paint in colors. people are always happy with their "new" rooms that were just boring white waiting to be re-discovered. then you can reverse the whole thing with white furniture. if you have cheap white contractor cabinets in the kitchen and bath then you are already 1/2 way there.

limit colors in a room. designers usually stick with a three color scheme -- pick up a couple decorating magazines and this will be obvious now that you know to look for color limiting and not random color using.

hang stuff other than framed pictures on the wall. one of my biggest personal challenges was what to do with the space over the kitchen cabinets because i didn't want the standard just throw stuff on top of them to decorate look. so i bought a bunch of vintage kitchen clocks on ebay 5 bucks each -- postage is usually more than the clock itself. chopped off the cords and made a clock display that impresses everyone.

splurge on a couple key items. a kitchen aid makes your kitchen look professional and might encourage you to cook more.

a comforter can make or break your bedroom -- same with the curtains you hang -- even your shower curtain has a lot of importance in the bathroom. big things have big impact.

Answer 4

Hey there,

I may be able to help you. I am a decorating consultant with Home Interiors and Gifts. You can host a brochure party and earn your Home decor for free. You will receive 20% in FREE merchandise based on show sales.

I know a lot of people pass up the opportunity, but it really works out well. Pass some brochures around to co-workers, friends and family, and before you know it, you have earned so many accessories.

You may also qualify for items at 55% off.

You can check out my items: www.homeinteriors.com/decoratinggal

Answer 5

I would check the clearance aisles at Walmart and Sears for curtains and decorations.

Check the Mistint rack at your local paint and hardware store. We have found some great colors for $5 a gallon at Sherman Williams and Sears.

Don't forget Goodwill and Garage Sales.

Answer 6

Well find a style you like shabby chic or ecclectic or bohemian and try to find things at consignment stores, antique stores and gargage sales.. I find many really cool things in people's curb side trash.. You'd be surprised at what people do not want anymore... Look in books, magazines and find a theme you like and just look for things that match your style and taste.. Also, TJ MAXX or Marshall's have a really cool home decor/homestore selection....good luck

Answer 7

there's a paint that turns right into a chalk board that's cool , you're able to do a very cool physique around it with much less costly crown molding the skinny stuff. it might probable coast you 20.00$ if that , after which you get the paint that turns right into a chalk board so the toddlers can truly colour on it and could erase. they arrive in like 4 distinctive colour's and the toddlers like it. tremendously while pals are over. and you may pass away messages on the wall for the toddlers time-honored . like chores , or to do record's , or purely specific messages. after which you will create a very cool bookshelf around it and a shelf with baskets for the chalk and books , and characteristic like a sitting area for them. yet another situation childrens like to play college , so i'm optimistic that the two childrens will like it. purely an concept. which could conceal a small area on the wall or you're able to do an entire component of one wall.

Answer 8

Try rummage sales and second hand stores. See if family has anything to donate to your cause.
Use family photos to fill wall space. Empty crates fill up floor area and can look interesting. Try to bring things out that might be in storage and use them year round. Books, magazines, maybe a quilt hung on a wall.

Answer 9

Well do it in steps. Decide on your colors, scheme, etc. for one room. Then look at the possibility of using sheets, lace, etc for covers, drapes, whatever. Now shop the thrift stores to find things in your color scheme and look for great sales and in the discount stores. If you are shopping for furniture check the yard sales. You'll be surprised at what you can find at these places and how creative you can be. Have fun and good luck.

Answer 10

Here is a great website for new stuff at really cheap prices:
http://www.homedecoratorsoutlet.com/

And paint. IMHO, nothing adds more personality to a room than a fresh coat of paint in a color that *you chose.*