Inexpensive ways to add tasteful design to your living space!
No problem. This lens will have you decorating like a pro with money left to spare!
I love to decorate, but even more I LOVE to save money. So, let me help you with tips that I've used over the last 15 years in decorating my own apartments and other small living spaces!
Furnishing your room
Finding the right pieces.
Maybe you already have furniture. Maybe you don't like what you have, or perhaps you just need more.Finding furniture for your apartment can seem like a large expense, but there are some great bargains out there! Of course, the best bargains are had if you're willing to buy used furniture.
Gently used furniture can easily be found on Craigslist, your local Goodwill or thrift store, relatives, and garage sales.
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Remember, just because you don't like the fabric of a piece or if there is a little tear - this can easily be hidden w/ a slipcover!
Be sure to look at the bones of a piece of used furniture. Just about anything can be repainted, and dressed up with new handles or pulls.
Slipcovers make old furniture look new!
Stretch Elegance Coffee 2 Piece Sofa Slipcover
Solids work well for slipcovers because it enables you to mix and match throw pillow patterns. Brown is a nice neutral color that allows you to add in bold accents!
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009) 
Cotton Duck Sofa Slipcover - Linen
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Sure Fit Stretch Elegance Merlot 2 Piece Sofa Slipcover
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Do you like to sew? Feeling Adventurous?
Simply Slipcovers: Stylish, Practical Solutions for Tried-but-True Furniture (Simply...)
Amazon Price: $14.21 (as of 12/28/2009)
Custom Slipcovers Made Easy: Weekend Projects to Dress Up Your Décor
Amazon Price: $20.30 (as of 12/28/2009)
Window Treatments & Slipcovers For Dummies (For Dummies (Sports & Hobbies))
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
So Simple Slipcovers (Creative Homeowner)
Amazon Price: (as of 12/28/2009)
Deck Your Walls!
Wall color, Wall art, Wallpaper...Oh, my!
The possibilities for wall decor on a budget are virtually limitless!If your landlord allows, you can paint the walls. A gallon of paint will usually run you around $15-20 at a home store like Lowes. The downside to painting your walls is that you will usually have to paint them back to the color they were originally - which means more work when you move out.
If you like the look of wallpaper, but don't want the hassle (also kind of hard to remove, and makes a mess) think about using vinyl wall art. This is a product that is easily applied to almost any wall (or other) surface, and is just as easily removed when it's time to move out or if you want to change your design. Uppercase Living has great designs that are available online and are really reasonable. Several of their designs resemble wallpaper, while others are neat phrases and quips that you can add to your wall decor.
Creative 'wallpaper'
Wall Art
There are so many inexpensive options for using art to cover your walls. If you're artistic you can make your own. I've seen some great shabby chic oil paintings at garage sales and thrift stores - many of which are already framed.Vintage Art posters and prints from online stores such as Art.com and others are often VERY reasonable.
(I recently bought a large vintage poster print 5ft x 4ft for only $16.00!!!)
You'd be really surprised at the cool and creative projects you can do for your decor with posters!
Thrift stores and garage sales are also great for finding old frames in all shapes and sizes. If you don't like the color, just paint it. You can add your picture with or without glass. Hang it from the wall with a ribbon instead of just a nail for a different look!
Here's my favorite link:
Get creative with fabric!
This is a GREAT idea.....use decorative fabrics to make your own wall art!
The photo demonstrates what I'm talking about, but click here to read the full article about how it's done!
I am SO doing this in our house.
Cool and funky fabrics for your walls!
Read the article above and learn how to use these fabrics to create your own wall art.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand by
Inexpensive Art? Empty frames!
Accents, Accents, Accents!
Sometimes it's the little things that add the most POP.
Adding accents is fun, easy and super inexpensive!Great ideas for accents:
Throw pillows: These are easy to make, or can often be found at discount decor stores for less than $15 each.
Bigger throw pillows for the floor also give extra seating!
Curtains/Drapes: Again, if you're even a little handy with sewing, these are easy to make. Ready made curtains can be expensive, however. I have found some really nice lined drapes at the Home depot of all places for around $20. If you're into the shabby chic look, drapes can be made from old chenille bedspreads and tea towels - which are all easy to find at flea markets and thrift stores.
Thinking about making your own curtains?
Be sure to check out my lens on Making Your Own Curtains
Knick-knacks: Let your imagination and design ideas be your guides. Flea markets are great for quirky & interesting little trinkets.
More great ideas!!!!
Amazon Error: Could not open remote connection
Sorry, there are no results available from Amazon.Here's a GREAT inexpensive way to decorate a wall...
Use monochromatic color accents along an entire wall!
So, you've got this great space and nothing to put on the walls. You're not sure about buying (and hanging) art pieces or photos.Here's an easy and inexpensive way to cover your walls with color and interest. Use your imagination and this can be as eclectic or contemporary as you want.
Go to Wal-mart, Ikea, Lowes, whatever and buy several different shelves. I think it would look best if you bought the same style in different lengths. Depending on the size of your wall, I would get anywhere from 5 to 10 shelves to start.
Arrange the shelves in a pattern that you like and hang.
Now, on each shelf place vases, knick-knacks, candles, etc. that are all the same color - or all in the same color family. This is where you need to use your imagination. Don't just use any vase, but maybe a cool Absolute Vodka bottle. Or, Prop up an old vintage license plate in the color of your choice.
The monochromatic wall draws in the eye, and the eclectic pieces diffuse the eye across the work itself - kind of like when you look at Impressionistic Art.
Don't forget your handy friend Mr. Spraypaint. Just about any item can be painted to match your color-scheme. I have found some REALLY cool ceramic birds at flea markets (when I found them, they looked very outdated and granny-ish) that I have spray painted a solid color.....voila, instant chic!
Go Get Started!
Now you have your tools for decorating on a budget! Think about how you want your space to look, and start collecting pieces here and there from flea markets, garage sales, craigslist or online and make your space FABULOUS! Items to use for your new monochromatic wall decor!
I've gone through ebay for you and found some items that would look great organized on shelves in a monochromatic design. With the prices of these items, you can decorate your wall very cheaply and still have money to go out!
Use your imagination! Invision these pieces in shiny white or black grouped together on a shelf or a mantle.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byInexpensive items to spraypaint
Again, I've gone through Ebay and found fun little knick-knacks that would be a great accent IF painted. These items are really ho-hum on their own, but get out your paint and they will be envied by all who come to your apartment!
If you have white walls, I would recommend using white shelves and painting these a dark color (like black, blue, red or brown). The white shelves will blend into the walls and your 'art' pieces will POP out. I would suggest using glossy spray paint.
Fetching new data from eBay now... please stand byThese are some awesome links for creative design ideas!
- Home Style Guide - Brought to you by Federated Media
- Your home is a cozy retreat where kids camp out, family movie nights always include popcorn and neighbors drop by unannounced. It's comfortable, casual and practical for the best pillow fights and the sweetest pillow talks. Join our leading bloggers in the conversation about all the comforts of ho
- craftzine.com: CRAFT: The first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance in the world of crafts.
- Craft is the first project-based magazine dedicated to the renaissance that is occurring within the world of crafts. Celebrating the DIY spirit, Craft's goal is to unite, inspire, inform and entertain a growing community of highly imaginative people ...
- Christy's Thrifty Decorating
- Some great DIY ideas for decorating your home.
- Apartment Therapy
- Apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time.
- Paris Hotel Boutique Journal
- Really great photos of Paris flea market decor! She has links to a TON of other decor inspired sites.
I would love to hear from you!
Please leave me your comments!
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Reply
- StyleEstate StyleEstate Sep 16, 2009 @ 10:41 pm
- Wow! This lens has evolved a lot since the last time i saw it. Great job. I have also revamped my lens, I have also updated my lens, Cheap Decorating Ideas: How to Furnish Your Home On a Budget
I think all of us will be paying closer attention to how much we spend for a long time to come. Tips like these are valuable.
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- saritajain86 saritajain86 Aug 5, 2009 @ 8:29 am
- Cool lens. Thanks for sharing.
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- manujarch manujarch Apr 15, 2009 @ 11:58 am
- Thanks for sharing very creative and cool ideas.
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- WebSpinstress WebSpinstress Apr 8, 2009 @ 8:34 pm
- Very helpful and creative budget-friendly apartment decorating ideas. Welcome to the Unique Home Decorating Headquarters group! :-)
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- totalhealth totalhealth Mar 16, 2009 @ 9:55 am
- great tips and ideas. I can surely use some of your ideas in decorating my room.
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by JellyGirl1
Professionally, I'm a Physician Assistant. But, in my off-time I'm an Uppercase Living demonstrator, and a craft-o-holic who loves diggin... (more)
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