When money is tight decorating goes on the back burner. But with a few thrifty decorating ideas, your home can look beautiful and you can stay on your budget.
Wouldn't you love to have a beautifully decorated home without paying thousands of dollars to get it?
Is hiring a professional decorator out of the question for you?
Do you walk into other peoples houses and wonder how they make their homes look so inviting?
Do you put off decorating because you just aren't sure where to start and what you like?
Are you destined to live in rooms sparsely furnished with no color or decor? No - you are not!
You too can afford to turn your house into a warm and cozy refuge.
Thrifty Decorating Tip #1 - You need a plan.
What decorating style do you like? Country, Cabin, Contemporary, Ecclectic, Southwestern...?
If you don't really know, start by looking through magazines. Even if you don't want to buy a bunch of decorating magazines, you can look through them on the newsstand and get a feel for what you like.
If you still aren't sure exactly what style you like, start small. Just begin with one room. Once you start, you may find you are better at decorating than you knew.
So now do you know your style?
Thrifty Decorating Tip #2 - Time to choose your colors.
You can use different colors in each room, but if rooms are attached to each other, the colors should flow from room to room. For example your living room may have dusty blues, creams and a touch of pale yellow. The attached dining room may be sage green also with pale yellow and perhaps a touch of dusty rose, thereby pulling the colors along from room to room. You want a graceful flow, not a choppy seperation.
If your floors have carpet or tile, look closely at the colors hidden in there. Are there specks of color in the carpet? These little hints of color can help you in choosing your color scheme and in creating that graceful flow of color.
Even if you don't own your home, you can now add color to any room or any wall with the new stick and peel wallpapers. These wallpapers can be put on any wall and then when you are ready to move, they just peel off. No glue or paste so no steam or residue. They are available at large hardware or decorating stores (Think Lowes, Crate and Barrel) in a variety of colors and patterns. These stick and peel papers aren't cheap, but if you are only covering one wall, you will cut down on cost and add color to your room.
Keep in mind, no matter what colors you decide on, you are the one living there - so you are the one who has to like it - not some designer that thinks everything has to match, or some designer that thinks nothing should match. Whatever you decide, make it what you like it.
Getting back to your plan...
Now you have your style and your colors - time to get busy and creative.
Thrifty Decorating Tip #3 - Remove the clutter!
You know how the decorating shows on television start by clearing out the room? They do that for a very good reason - it gives you a blank room to start with. If that already sounds like too much work, just clear the clutter - not the furniture.
Thrifty Decorating Tip #4 - The Walls.
Don't be afraid to paint the walls. Even if you are renting or leasing, usually you can paint as long as you agree to paint them back to the original color before you move out. (check you own lease/rent agreement). If painting is not allowed use the stick and peel wallpaper I mentioned above. If this is too expensive, there are stick and peel decals that cost less. You could just add a border with those or decorate a whole wall with the decals.
Start with painting just one wall. Choose the focal point of the room and paint that wall. Here is a Painting Tip the pros use but don't tell you about.
Thrifty Decorating Tip #5 - The Floor.
You may find you don't need to do a thing to the existing floor, or that may be the main item that needs your attention.
Unfortunately floor covering can be costly and this is about being thrifty. For some cheap flooring ideas - Find them here.
Thrifty Decorating Tip #6 - Window Coverings.
Another area of expense is the windows. If you sew, making your curtains or drapes is the least expensive option, especially if you can find the fabric on sale. Even if you don't sew click here
for some other thrifty window treatment options.
Thrifty Decorating Tip #7 - Furnishings.
Often your existing furniture will work. You may need to cover an older sofa with a sofa cover, but if your budget is tight, new furniture is very expensive. One way to change the look of a room is to use furniture from different rooms. Perhaps bring in a chair that was in a different room. Change the look of it with a pillow that matches your new room. Start looking around your house with this thought in mind. You may find furniture you didn't even remember you had. If you have to purchase an item of furniture, shop around. Ask your furniture store employees if there is a sale coming up or if they have one at a certain time of year. When do they change out their showrooms? Don't be afraid to buy used - check Craigs List
Thrifty Decorating Tip #8 - Accessories.
This includes lamps, pictures, pillows, items on tables, etc. This is the area where you can get really creative for the least amount of money. These items can be made, found at garage sales, or purchased second hand and still look new and fresh. For ideas on accessorizing click here.
You probably thought you were finished - but there is one more step. Stand in your room and look at each wall. Turn all the way around. Stand at each doorway and look at the room. Does everything flow? Do you have to dodge furniture to get through the room? Are there stacks anywhere?
Put any stacks in a basket and place it under a table. Move any furniture that blocks the flow. Even out the walls with any pictures you hung. Don't over clutter the walls, table surfaces or floor space.
Thrifty Decorating Tip #1 - 
You can use different colors in each room, but if rooms are attached to each other, the colors should flow from room to room. For example your living room may have dusty blues, creams and a touch of pale yellow. The attached dining room may be sage green also with pale yellow and perhaps a touch of dusty rose, thereby pulling the colors along from room to room. You want a graceful flow, not a choppy seperation.
