October 2nd, 2008
Cheap decorating ideas
As more and more people are affected by the credit crunch, so non-essential expenses - such as home décor - get postponed or cancelled. However there are plenty of things you can do to your home to freshen it up - some are cheap and cheerful, some are free of charge! Here are a few tips..
- Try doing thing yourself - if you’re not good at DIY, this is the ideal to time to learn it - you’ll find the skills you develop very useful for the rest of you life! The basics of carpentry, plumbing, painting, varnishing, sewing, knitting are really easy to learn - not only can you save a lot of money, but making individual items (cushion covers, curtains, furniture etc) can actually be extremely satisfying and even therapeutic!
- Clear your clutter - get rid of all those gadgets, ornaments, household items etc. that you’ve bought, or have been given to you as presents, but you’ve hardly ever used nor liked. In fact, look around your home, and locate all disliked or no-longer-wanted items. Try to sell as many as you can on Ebay - all the income you’ll be able to add to your décor-budget.
- Quick decoration - it’s amazing what a difference a new shade of paint can make. Painting is really easy and can be quite cheap. You don’t even have to paint the whole room - just make a “feature wall” (for example the chimney breast around a fireplace) and voila!
- Soft furnishing - Matalan, IKEA and other home ware shops sell really cheap cushions, throws, blankets and linen - you can get even better bargains during the Sales. They can immediately transform the style and/or ambiance of a room!
- Furniture - if your pieces of furniture look a bit worn and tired, try to reupholster or redecorate them. If you need brand new ones, find them at warehouses rather than on the high street! (more tips about this next week)
- Ornaments - You can make your ornaments and décor displays. Go out for long walks and collect pinecones, berries, twigs, leaves, nuts, acorns etc. Arrange them in glass bowls - or you can hang them in windows, or make displays in the fireplace (if it’s not working), or on the mantle etc. You can also make edible fruity displays of baked orange slices with cinnamon sticks and nuts, or apples, pears, plumbs and squash. They will add a seasonal touch (and fragrance) to your interior!
- Garden cuttings - if you have a garden, and happen to have ornamental grass - cut them off now, they are ideal for opulent flower arrangements! (see picture). Combine them with other dried cuttings or forest bits from your walks. These ornaments cost nothing and look gorgeous!
- Lighting - given the price of energy these days, save some money by using some candles in the evenings. Arrange several cheap church candles in a group or in candelabra!
The above decorating ideas are cheap or free to make happen. They will definitely freshen up your home and cheer you up during the winter!