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Cash Conundrum: 9 Things About Decorating on Budget

With the recession blues hitting everyone across the globe in someway or another, saving cash and spending wisely is all that is on the lips of one and all. Decorating on a budget though is an art that is far more difficult than just going out and looking for the cheapest deals available. Here are some essentials that you need to keep in mind as you go around looking for stuff that fits your budget just right.

design budget Cash Conundrum: 9 Things About Decorating on Budget

Make a plan and stick to it

The two simplest, yet most difficult parts of decorating on a budget are actually planning perfectly and making sure that you stick to the plan. The planning part of the budgeting is something that most people manage to chalk out with relative ease. But keep in mind that the temptations of the evil-salesman are too much to resist, once you step out. So make sure you take a friend along who will keep your feet firmly grounded.

Plan with realistic estimates and required needs in mind

Before you even make your budget, ensure that you know the actually prices of the furniture and accessories that you need. A rough but fairly realistic idea is what you will need. There is no point in putting in figures to suit your pocket and then finding out that you have been out of touch with reality. Also ensure that your decorating plans are in line with your needs. The needs of a young family are different from those of a bachelor or even a newly wed couple.

Go check out the garage sales in the area

This may not soudn too fancy, but there is nothing low about buying from a garage sale. It is just that some family might be expanding, moving or re-decorating and hence they might be giving away perfectly good stuff for an absolute steal. So take a peek in and pick what you like.

Cost cannot be your only priority

Do not walk around just looking for the cheapest stuff available. Make sure that the quality of what you buy is fairly decent. Otherwise you will have to hit stores again in a mere matter of months as the cheap stuff just withers away too soon and you will be spending twice your budget without getting a fair deal!

Understand the space available and shop accordingly

Decorating on budget is not just about getting the right deals alone. It is also about having the right vision for the space that you intend to decorate. Use a tape and measure the dimensions of your rooms and then understand how large your furniture and accessories really need to be to fit in just right. By doing this, you will not waste money on larger stuff or furnishings that look diminutive.

Recycle and reuse what you have

People forget so often about recycling and reusing stuff that you will be startled at what a creative mind can do out of the trash pile. If you have old clothes, use them for cleaning purposes in the kitchen, make storage spaces out of used containers and this will reduce what you need to buy.

Choose a style that you like

Choosing a style and sticking to it makes your shopping easier, your choices simpler and keep your budget under control. This way you cut out the danger of being tempted to buy something fancy, but out-of-line with the rest of the home. It is commonly agreed that a minimalistic look is best for those on a tight budget. It looks stylish, cool and modern as well!

Keep a look out for DIY projects

The internet today is full of brilliant DIY ideas that are put out in such detailed fashion that you will almost surely find what you need if you can do the searching. It’s creative, makes you feel good and is something that you can show off when people come by.

Shop for furniture that can double up

Makers like IKEA and others are offering furniture and accessories that can double up for more than one purpose. Apart from saving space, they save on cash too.

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Published by Alex Ion 06 Apr 2009 in Tips & Tricks

Five Steps to Making Your Home More Beautiful

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picnik collage 1 Five Steps to Making Your Home More Beautiful image sources 1, 2, 3, 4

Most of us have watched those cruel home make-over shows at one time or another. You know the type, where a hyperactive bunch of designers and tradesman bombard their way into an ‘unsuspecting’ civilian’s home, with only an hour to complete a WOW transformation. The magic designer snatches up a few old cushions, whips up the rug, and hey presto, the whole house is a wonderful palace. Don’t we all wish that our tired houses could be awoken with such hasty and invigorating fervour? I’m not promising to make your home your dream mansion, but by following the simple steps below you can bring beauty into your house.

De-Clutter

1 6 Five Steps to Making Your Home More Beautiful

This step sounds so exhausting, but believe me, it’s worth it. Pick a room to start on, and attack it with a pair of rubber gloves and a bin bag. Poke into hidey holes you’d forgotten about, delve into cupboards you’ve been putting off forever, jump right in to the depths of all your clutter and let it go. Don’t be afraid to chuck out that gaudy yellow vase because you made it when you were six, if it’s sentimentally valuable, box it, be strict with yourself about what really is sentimental. Use ‘time since last used’ as your rule of thumb, if it’s been three years since you last used it, chances are its rubbish.

Remember, start as you mean to go on- don’t sort piles into piles, if its rubbish throw it, if it’s not, put it away. Consider recycling any items you don’t need, charities are always looking for items they can sell on. You could also try to make a few pennies out of your old stuff, pop it onto eBay and see what happens!

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Published by Triond 12 Oct 2008 in Tips & Tricks

10 Things you Should Know Before Decorating your Living Room

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Living Room

Decorating your living room is a good idea. It will save you money and give you significant knowledge about interior designing. Also, you can do it as a pass time or a hobby. But, then things could also go wrong and you could make a fool out of yourself. Therefore, it is always better and recommendable to get your hands full with some ideas about how to go on with decorating your living room. So, here are a few things to know before you take the plunge to decorate your living room.

1. It is always advisable to set off with a plan in your mind and a generic outlook of what your living room should be like. It does mean that you should know every head and tail in advance but a general idea will add the icing on the cake. It will help you during the decoration. As behind every successful project, there is a strategy and a plan, same should be applied here.

2. You should do a lot of research work before deciding on the look of your room. Just go through some magazines or catalogues, or better you can surf on Freshome and search for the designs, colors or styles you are longing for. Just tear the page of the design which you like and keep it aside for future reference. After you get a collection of different designs, try to choose those designs which catch your interests and ideas the most. I agree that a lot of confusion will also prevail but you should be able to think and act fast and come to the conclusion as confusion will eat your time and take you nowhere. Also, once decided, you should not regret. So, you should also decide carefully and be firm by sticking to the decision.

3.Lighting plays a significant role in the success of your decoration. It does create a good ambience. It adds to the shine and glitter of the room, also making our moods shine and glitter. It can spur our senses and raise our oxytocin levels which are responsible for emotional joy. Also, scented candles can bring in an additional spark to the room.

Living Room Decoration

4. Choosing the right furniture is as essential as oxygen is for our body. After choosing, placing the furniture in a proper way is also equally important. Mostly, you should not place the furniture lined up against the wall. Your room will be looking smaller by this kind of arrangement. If you want more tips on how to make a room bigger check our article.

5. Another thing important is making use of the right curtains. Your efforts may seem like a flash in the pan if the curtains are not proper. Mostly, choose the curtains which match he color of the furniture. So, do not lose it all in the last minute just because of one silly mistake.

6. Adding to the most important things, flooring is also another thing that should be kept in mind. It is essential for furnishing. The coverings of the floor can be tiles, carpet or wood. You should see to it that it should be of a similar color or a darker shade than the walls.

7. There should be proper amount of free space for the functioning of daily activities, for e.g. walking. Else, the room will appear like a furniture shop.

8. Any cool accessories could add a zing to your room. You could pick up some pieces from craft shows and flea markets. Mostly, accessories should be artifacts, goodies or some items that you treasure.

9. One could use plants, flora or trees to provide a kind of natural beauty to the atmosphere of the room. It will also fill in the empty spaces, and if you are not convinced yet about the importance of plants in your home check this article.

10. Some interesting paintings can really bring in a wave of deftness to your room. It acts as a style to your room.

Finnaly if you would like to add other tips you can post a comment to this post, and share your oppinion with others.

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Published by Michael 20 Feb 2008 in Living Room

Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating

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vac Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating

A few days ago a Freshome reader named Kendra Redman contacted me, to write a guest post for this blog, and here is her article. I must admit that her advice is very practical, because I went this year in Greece and after I’ve read this article I’ve found some mistakes that I’ve made.

We have all made the same mistake, c’mon admit it. While on that recent relaxing holiday you bought something you thought would capture that holiday feeling when you returned home to your regular routine. It might have been in a bustling local market, maybe it was something you saw created in front of you by a local craftsperson or an item spotted in a tiny shop presided over by an old stooped woman who smiled charmingly at you.

You were excited about your treasure and made sure it was wrapped and bundled securely for the trip back. Once home you unwrapped the gem eagerly with your mind racing as to where it would look best in your house. In the bright light of day you flinched when you saw your precious vacation souvenir in its new surroundings. Suddenly the colors of your prize, that seemed so bright and cheerful in its native land, only look garish to you now. The details on the pottery you found so charming and quaint clash with your post modern furniture. The tribal mask that seemed primitive ironic while trekking scare your children when they walk by it. What on earth possessed you to buy these things?

The desire to bring back an object to represent your vacation bliss is a natural one that everyone falls prey to on some vacation in their life. So how do you do vacation decorating right? Follow these few simple rules and you will won’t have another vacation decorating disaster.

indian textile vendors Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating Textiles – textiles are a great way to bring a splash of your adventures into the home in a subtle way. The textile can be hung, framed, made into a pillow, used to upholster a furniture piece or used as a table runner. A glimpse will still remind you of the village woman who wove the beautiful fabric but not be as jarring as hanging a Swiss cuckoo clock on your minimalist walls.
photo wall Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating Photos – Travel photos are wonderful souvenirs. Don’t put them in a variety of mismatching frames or your walls and surfaces will look like one big photo album.Choose an odd number of the best ones and frame in the same simple frames, preferably black with a large mat, and wall mount giving an art gallery effect. To blend with any interior, have the photos developed in black and white.

colorful wooden bowls Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating

Bowls – Bowls are functional, attractive and easy to find in any part of the world. You can buy a bamboo lacquered one in Vietnam, a pewter bowl in Norway, a pottery one from Portugal or a rustic wooden bowl from Africa. Lined up on a display shelf they will complement each other as well as telling the story of your journeys.

many masks Vacation Shopping Temptations & Decorating Artwork – Unless you are an investor, choosing art is always a personal thing. That watercolor from France would be a great addition to your guest bathroom.Or the large brightly colored painting can add the spice to your neutral interior.
So the next time you find yourself standing in front of that four foot fertility statue in some faraway place telling yourself it could go in that empty corner in the living room – just walk away.

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Published by Michael 31 Jan 2008 in Tips & Tricks

Living Room Decorating Ideas

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Your living room will be a place for family or friends to sit and visit, so a special effort should be made to create a comfortable harmonious environment. Usually this is the first room you see upon entering your home, it is also a room that must show well and in most cases carry more than one function such as a playroom, office and even a dining room. If you would like to see more pictures you can check our previous posts : Living Room Furniture and Living Room Inspiration.

Living Room Decor Living Room Decorating Living Room Decorating Ideas