Put the Brakes on Your Budget
Check and re-check your balances to make sure you don’t break the bank on your home décor project. Decorating doesn’t have to mean deprivation. Allow yourself a decent chunk of change to start small projects around the house if big renovations aren’t practical just yet. To help you stay within the lines, draft up a décor plan, and be sure to set a timeline so you don’t end up with a ‘half-way’ house.
Turn an Old-y into a Goody
Re-visit the classics and make them feel new again. Mix antiques with a modern backdrop, and your space will feel contemporary, comfortable and unique. Switch it up by using paint, varnish or gloss on your vintage items. It will transform the way your furniture fits in with the room. But remember, there’s a difference between classic and Jurassic. Know when an item has reached its expiry date and think twice before painting granny’s old rocker electric blue.
Take the Edge Off
Sandpaper, primer and paint can transform just about any piece of furniture. Wall paper or painted borders can really break up the flow of a space, especially if the room is small.
If your wallpaper border runs all the way around the edges of your room, you might consider stripping it off and starting with a fresh canvas. Paint can add personality and punch to any room regardless of size or dimension. You don’t have to channel Bob Ross to get the job done, just be bold and choose a paint colour you can live with for a while.
Before you paint one room, factor in the look of the whole house. Do you really want to live in the white house with the one red room?
Cyber Chic
Log-on and Google a bargain. The World Wide Web is great when you know what you’re looking for and what you want to pay for it. Close-out sales, classifieds and discount dealers are great places to start. You’ll be able to compare models and price tags within minutes without breaking a sweat. Be sure to stop by the home pages of your favourite stores for special deals and monthly promotions. Urban Barn posts their in-store sales on their website, as well as an opportunity to sign up for special offers via email!
Trick or Treatment
Living in a small space? Fake it. Hanging drapery panels on a window make them wider or place them higher than the actual dimensions of the window. Window Treatments such as curtains and shades can add warmth and provide a finished look to bare windows. They are also easy to install and remove so if you ever want to switch up the colours or textures, you’ll have a window of opportunity!
First Things First
If you’ve got cracked floors, a new lamp shade is going to go unnoticed. Determine the priorities in your home. Tend to the room’s main problems first and save the cosmetics for last. If your budget is small, work on a cover-up. Place an area rug over a floor flaw, or hang some artwork over a wall wound. Urban Barn has a huge range of lush and modern rugs in many colours and textures that can be custom cut to hide any imperfections.
Fighting Temptations
Lose the tight grip. Resist impulse buys that will add up to more clutter. To make room for your new creative agenda, tour the house for things that you no longer want or need. Avoid filling the entire space with fads because in a short time, you might end up hating your surroundings. Stick to the plan, and pick out budget-conscious items that fit in with the theme of your room.
Double Duty
Trying to penny pinch? Grab hold of items that can serve more than one purpose. A lamp can double up as both a light source and a sculpture for the room. Arched floor lamps or a contemporary chandelier are popular choices for a good ‘hang-over’. Look for a side table or ottoman with storage room or create cubby holes behind large artwork or room mirrors. That way, you can stash your stuff, save room, and look style savvy all at the same time.
Let there be Light
If your living space currently rivals the black hole for best lighting, turn it up a notch. Light can dramatically improve the look and feel of a room without blowing your budget. Depending on your colour scheme throughout the space, you may choose warm and cool light to accent certain areas of your home. You may also want to try different colours of light such as red, blue or green to slightly alter the colour of your walls without re-painting.
Bargain Binge
No one is saying “dumpster dive”, but don’t be afraid to dig into garage sales, and check out clearance sales and bargain stores. The old adage, “Someone’s trash is someone else’s treasure” is sometimes true. Just be sure that what you find is what you were seeking. The last thing you want to do is take out somebody else’s trash. What you find at garage sales can be surprising because when people move, they often part with pieces that are likely to move you. If it’s not a furniture piece you’re looking for, you might find the perfect accent for your Ginger Side Table. A good rule of thumb is not to spend more than ten to twenty dollars on a garage sale find. For larger furniture pieces, use your discretion.
