Long time no see! Sorry this blog has been neglected for so long, life sort of got in the way there for a bit. So here is a post to get some ideas going for everyone who looks at their house and goes, "What the heck do I do with this space?!?!?"
Recently I had a new friend over and she asked as she looked around my house, "How do you decorate on a budget?" She is in the same boat as me (and a lot of us) right now - not enough money to buy everything we really want and trying to make a house a home with pennies. I told her I have a few favorite shopping places and a few rules that help me pull things together.
1.) Never pay full price. This might sound like a given, but so many times you see that cute item in the store and you try to justify buying it or kick yourself over not being able to afford it. Instead, wait for it to go on sale or find a coupon and save up for it. Sometimes when you wait to buy something, you find something else that was less expensive that works just as well or better! Infact, don't even go shopping until you have tried some of the following ideas.
2.) Make it yourself. This is what Pinterest and YouTube are for! If you see a cool piece of art, a funky chair, a vase or something else you want see if you can make it for less. Wooden furniture can be repainted, chairs can be recovered in new fabric, and there are lots of tutorials for making your own art. Or, if you have a talented friend, see if you can barter with them to make you something. Trade babysitting for a painting, or errand running for a new knitted throw.
3.) Use found and memory objects. Feathers, nuts, branches with berries, rocks, beach glass, shells, sand, wine corks, ticket stubs, pictures - all can be put in a container and displayed, glued to or mounted in a frame, or placed on a tray. Not only does it look nice, but it is a conversation piece and has personal meaning.
4.) Use a common theme. Pick a few things the items you put in the space have in common. For example, my living room has four common themes - the colors cream, brown, and teal, and then horses. I have a painting in teal and blue on the wall of a horse, a stirrup from a saddle and a cream colored horse figure on the table, teal throw pillows and a brown throw blanket on cream colored couches, and a rug with teal, brown and cream stripes. Everything works together because the comon colors and themes tie it all in.
5.) Shop your house. Take all your pictures, blankets, curtains, pillows, small tables, chairs, throw rugs, tchotchkes, vases, candle holders etc. and put them on the floor in the center of the room. Then go through the pile, looking at the objects and seeing which ones flow together and how you can use them in different rooms. A basket in the bathroom is nice to put magazines and spare toilet paper rolls in. Moving pictures and paintings around can really change a room. Switch curtains and bedding to update a bedroom, use a wooden chair as a bedside table, trade lamps with the living room. Look at the objects in your house and see how you can move them to different rooms, swap them, or use them differently. You'll be surprised how much change that can really make!
6.) Trade with friends. Swap items with your friends to get a new look. If they are getting rid of something, offer to buy it from them or trade something or a service for them (baby sitting, yard work, grocery shopping, etc.). This is how I got my couches; a friend of mine was going to sell them, I offered to buy them so she made me a deal.
7.) Shop thrift stores. The ones in nicer neighborhoods have a lot of good items, and many thriftstores have a half price day or a day certain tags are discounted. Sometimes you will have to arrive early on the sale days to ensure you get what you are looking for, so I recommend going the day before to scout out the inventory. Make a list of the items you want, then arrive early the day of the sale. Keep to a budget and also keep in mind what you can do with something. Items can be repainted, distressed, or used in a different way even if missing pieces or if in need of minor repairs. I was able to pick up a room divider for $11 on half price day, and it looks great sectioning off the computer area from my living room. I have also picked up towel holders for the bathroom, shelves, chairs, candle holders, area rugs, pictures, mirrors, vases, plates, and linens.
8.) Check out garage sales and online forums. Again, stick to your budget and have a set list of items you are looking for. There are all kinds of bartering and want ads, facebook groups and forums where items can be bought, sold, and traded for. Craig's List, Freecycle, and time banks can be great resources. Not only can you find things you are looking for, you can get them very inexpensive to free and get rid of what you don't need. Be willing to do some elbow work and always make sure you are being safe when meeting people from online - choose a meeting place in public, bring a couple friends with you, and if it sounds sketchy, it probably is so avoid it.
9.) Make a collection book. You can do this on Pinterest, on your phone with an app, or by tearing out pages from magazines. Collect pictures of what you like to help you form an idea of what you want to put in your space. Be sure to record the dimensions of the space too! Then you know when you are out running around and see something if it fits with what you envision - and in your room.
10.) Don't be afraid to invest in something important. Buy a good mattress for your bed. Get a sturdy couch in a neutral color that will last a long time. Put in good flooring that will handle wear and tear. Save up first and again see if you can get it on sale or use a coupon. However, certain items it is ok to splurge on when you are going to have them around for a long time. Otherwise, you are going to spend more in the long run trying to replace or repair something, and if you don't have the money to do either you will be frustrated for not investing in the right piece.
So there you are, my handy tips for decorating your house on a budget! Feel free to comment below and leave your ideas and tips for how you make your house look fabulous for less.
