Use some dollar sense when redecorating or renovating a room in your home. There is no need to spend thousands of dollars just to update the look of your interiors. Here are a few tips you can try to get a fresh look but still save money for other more important purchases.
Add large mirrors. Mirror wall panels, especially, give an illusion of light and space. They also make good focal points in an otherwise drab room. You can also change your light fixtures to add more drama.
Create a photo wall. You can make a boring wall more interesting by putting together a collection or montage of either photographs or paintings. You can even think of a theme – say, vintage photos – and arrange the frames in whichever manner you want. It can be a great conversation piece, too.
Decorate with a trompe l’oeil painting. It can be painted on a large piece of canvas or directly onto the wall. You can also choose to ask a friend to paint it for you if you don’t want to take the risk. Just make sure it’s art that you wouldn’t easily tire of.
Change the room’s lighting. Lighting can have a great effect on any room. Purchase lampshades and place them strategically around the room. You can also make use of track lighting to direct attention to certain areas. It’s also affordable to gather vintage desk lamps and assemble them on a desk. The effect when they’re all lit can be quite magical.
Old sofa, new cushions. It’s best if you can afford to change your sofa cover, but if not, purchasing new cushions in attractive colors and patterns will do. You can have them in different prints, shapes, and sizes, as long as they’re color-coordinated. In addition, try experimenting with various trimmings: ribbons, bows, cords, fringes, and buttons.
Instant drapes. Yes, there really are no-sew drapes. All you’ll need is a curtain rod or something such as a long piece of sturdy and straight bamboo. Once this is installed above your window frame, you can choose a length of soft material such as cotton, lace, crepe, or muslin and wrap the fabric around the pole, letting the middle portion drape over it and the rest of the material falling at both sides.
Make use of border trims. Use peel-and-stick borders and run it the length of the room. This can give old, tired wallpaper a pick-me-up or give new life to a plain wall. These borders can easily be found where wallpapers are sold. Before putting them up, use a tape measure and a pencil for marking to make sure that you’re sticking the border trim along a straight line.
The magic of a canopy. You’ll find that canopies aren’t just for beds. They can add warmth and intimacy to a corner where you have a corner chair or love seat. Choose material that complements the rest of the room, or something that’s entirely unique for it to serve as the room’s focal point. Fringe the ends with tassels to make it look as though a professional interior decorator has done the treatment.
Paint
This is an inexpensive treatment that gives amazing results. Choose a color that is entirely different from the old one to give your room a fresh new look. There are also a lot of different effects that you can make use of and are quite easy to learn, such as ragging, sponging, stamping, or stenciling. Check out The Complete Home Decorator by Robin Guild – a comprehensive reference book that provides step-by-step guides.