10 Tips for Decorating on a Budget

Most people are looking for great ways to save money on home decor, but still keep the designer look they are seeking. There are many ways to accomplish this. Below are some fantastic ways to decorate on a budget.

1. Re-use existing items: This is one of the best ways to save money! In fact, you won't spend any money at all. Take an inventory of items in your home and try to look at them in a different light. Sometimes we get so used to seeing things in the same place, that we don't even consider using them in a different way. Just try moving things around, and you may come up with something you love!
   
2. Paint, Paint, Paint! - One of the best ways to completely change the look of a room, and for only a few dollars per room! Try new colors that you never though of. Go to the paint store and pick out some samples. You can even buy a small container and test it out first. Budget decorating requires that you use paint to update and change the looks of things, whether it's a whole room, a piece of furniture, or creating new artwork.
   
3. Make Artwork - This can be done by salvaging old items, or creating new works of art from photographs, canvasses, or a collage of interesting items or shadowboxes. Artwork is an important part of any interior design.
   
4. Clean up your act - Clear out all the clutter so that people can see the beautiful rooms you have created. Sometimes starting with a blank (or somewhat blank) canvas can give you a new perspective on your spaces.
   
5. Dress your windows - You get a lot of "bang for your buck" with window treatments, because they take up so much vertical space in the room, and draw the eye upward. Try looking online at different types of window treatments and see which kind you would like. Some of the easiest ones to install or create include mini-blinds, wood blinds, plain flat valances, square cornices, and pinch-pleated drapes. However, the array of window treatments available is endless.
   
6. Try new shops - Such as thrift shops, consignment stores, and auctions to find new and interesting items. You may come across a great conversation piece, or an antique that is worth much more than you pay for it!
   
7. Illuminate! - Be sure that your new design has plenty of lighting. It would be a shame to spend time and effort creating a new room, and the details not get noticed. Lighting is also a great way to add accents and unique touches to your budget design.
   
8. Don't buy everything you see - Just because it's cheap, it doesn't mean you should buy it. If it doesn't work for your room, you won't like it when you get it home. You will just be stuck with an old piece of junk with nowhere to put it. Focus on buying things that you have planned for and budgeted for.
   
9. Have a Plan - Know what furniture you need (and don't need), what your color scheme is, and what your style is. This way, you won't waste time and money by purchasing things that you don't need, and don't like. Budget decorating is all about know what is a good deal and what isn't.
   
10. Have Fun - Don't get stressed out over your room! Sometimes it takes time, and trial and error to get it right. Just make sure to have fun and enjoy the process of making your rooms beautiful as well as enjoying the end result.

Author: Angela Sullivan