Budget Conscious Decorating

5 Simple Steps For Budget Conscious Decorating

Many of the homes I've decorated during my career have the living room as one of the first rooms people see.  And, although the living room may be used to entertain guests, it's also a very lived in, and functional part of any home, so you'll want to create a design that is practical, livable, and meets the needs of not only guests, but of family members as well.

When looking at your living room, you may feel that much of your décor needs to be updated, or is out of date, but because of budget requirements you probably won't be able to do a full remodeling job.  Not to fret, there are a lot of things you can do inexpensively with items you already have.  Here are some inexpensive ways to update your room without spending much money.

Cover It Up

You can quickly, easily, and inexpensively change the color of your sofa and chairs by adding pre-made slipcovers. This will allow you to update the styles, and colors of your current furniture, without breaking the bank. You can also use large colorful pillows or throws to accent your sofas and chairs.  This option can be used either in conjunction with, or in lieu of slipcovers, dependent upon what your budget allows for.

Define Your Areas

If you have a larger living room with a few different seating areas, you can use area rugs to define each area without having to update and install carpeting. Many rooms have redone in older homes have beautiful hardwood floors under old shag carpet.  A little bit of labor to tear those carpets up and finish the hardwood goes a long ways.  Area rugs can help define each area, and give hard wood floors a warmer feel. Area rugs are also great for covering up blemishes such as worn spots, or stains.

Spruce Up Your Walls

The walls of a room can either make it, or break it.  For small rooms, try adding a mirror or two. This will help make the room look bigger. Modern artwork can also be found at tremendous bargains, and goes a long way toward adding a warm comfortable look to your room.  Another popular trend in design is to use some decorative vinyl lettering to accentuate a photo wall, or area.  The vinyl lettering can be found inexpensively at online retailers, such as Wall Stamps, etc.  The lettering is inexpensive, and gives you the best bang for your buck when it comes to decorating your walls.

Shed Some Light

Changing the lighting in your living room can make a huge different, and in most cases doesn't cost much.  Floor lamps, and table lamps can be found inexpensively at home improvement stores, and go a long way to add warmth to your living room. Candles can also give warm lighting for special events or occasions.

Move It Around

While most budgets these days don't allow for replacing all of your furniture, the good news is you don't need to.  You can use what you have to pull your room together.  Try organizing your current furniture around a particular area or focal point in your living room.  Entertainment centers, coffee tables, or large windows make great focal points, and can help you maximize your space.  Just make sure to get a good balance between organization and comfort, as this is a room that is well utilized in most homes.

These ideas should give you a good start on updating your living room without spending too much money.  By utilizing these tips, along with the furniture and décor you already have, you can totally remake a room to be beautiful, functional, and comfortable.

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