Decorating On A Budget

Decorating On A Budget

Decorating a home is an exciting, creative process. It gives you the chance to express your personality while shaping your environment to suit personal tastes and enhance your lifestyle. It can be a pretty daunting task, though, especially if -- like most of us -- you have a budget to consider.

Looking for some high-impact, low-cost ideas to jump-start your imagination? Read on...

First things first

The easiest way to get started is to decide on a "look" for your home. Keep this consistent with your lifestyle. If you have small children at home a relaxed, eclectic look will be easier to maintain than stark contemporary. If you prefer things neat and tidy, contemporary may be the way to go.

Add some color

White walls are the coward's way out. Don't be afraid to add a splash of color! Try painting one wall of your den a deep, rich green. Consider a sunny yellow for your kitchen. Experiment with different shades of "neutral." The great thing about paint is you can always paint over it. If you'd rather not paint, you can add flair to a room with pillows, pictures, area rugs and accessories. It's easy and fun to change these each season for a fresh new look.

Subtract some clutter

If you've lived in the same house for more than a month, you've probably accumulated some clutter. Just for fun, try clearing out one room at a time. Put away all the knick-knacks, all the collectibles, all the pictures, and everything else. Live with a bare room for a couple of days, and see which items -- if any -- you miss. Chances are, you'll end up with fewer items and a more open, airy room.

Windows count, too

New window treatments can change the entire look of a room. And often, less is more. A simple shade or a sheer panel gives a nice uncluttered look. If you have a beautiful view, you may not want curtains at all. On the other hand, a striking window treatment can disguise a less-than-perfect scene, or make your windows appear larger than they really are.

On second thought...

In your search for beautiful furniture and accessories, take some time to explore the growing secondhand market. Look for antique shops, estate sales, consignment stores and flea markets in your area. You just might find a whole new hobby!

Zero in with lighting

Lighting is an inexpensive way to set the mood, brighten a room or highlight a favorite piece of furniture or wall decoration. Add a small table lamp to draw attention to a collection of family pictures. Use track lighting to direct light to specific areas of a room. Consider adding dimmer switches to certain fixtures, for increased flexibility.

Keep in mind that there are no absolutes in decorating. Today's styles allow an antique hutch, an overstuffed couch, a contemporary lighting fixture and an Oriental rug to happily coexist in the same room. Choose colors and textures that you love, let your personality shine through, and have fun making your house truly feel like ''home.''

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