Home Decorating on a Budget

When it comes to decorating a home, most of us associate good taste with high costs. Our team of Dallas mortgage experts is here to show you that the previous statement is not always correct. Whether you are fresh out of college or a brand-new homeowner of a budget, you can make any space look and feel as though it were pulled directly from a home decorating magazine. Being on a tight budget does not mean you have to resort back to your college apartment days, where everything was plastic and directly out of a box. Although you cannot walk into a showroom and purchase everything on the floor, there are bargains to be discovered. Decorating on a dime is possible; it just takes some preparation and a slight sense of adventure.
 
 
Step 1: Look around your space.
 
Are you currently living in a cookie-cutter apartment, town home, condominium or single-family home? Ask yourself, what is my favorite part of the home? Do you love the large window in your living room or the window seat in your bedroom? Is it the built-in entertainment center and bookshelves? Your favorite part of the space is what you are going to want to capitalize on the most.
 
 
Step 2: Build a look book.
 
Once you have an idea of which areas you really want to spruce up, head to your local book store or library for inspiration. If your library has a used magazine sale, buy a stack of home decorating publications. Many libraries will sell donated magazines for as little as $0.25 each. Flip through yourstack of magazines and make notes of what you do and don’t like. Clip pictures of rooms and design elements that appeal to you. While going through the magazines, look for things such as furniture layout, paint colors, and décor elements used in the rooms you love most. Write the name of the room of each clipping and compile them all in one place. Next time you are out hunting for that room, take your clippings and notes with.
 
One important thing to note is before you do any purchasing, really think about what each room is intended to do. Do you want your living room formal or casual? Do you want your home to be a soothing contrast from your stressful job or do you wish to feel energized? Do you like to entertain often? Keeping these things in mind will make it easier to select colors and items for your home.
 
 
Step 3: What to do about the furniture.
 
If you are far from thrilled with your current sofa, but don’t quite have the budget to purchase a new one, consider buying a slipcover. This inexpensive purchase can make a huge difference. Add a few new throw pillows and before you know it, you have a brand new look for less. If your dining area is in need of some TLC, you don’t have to opt for a card table and folding chairs to keep from breaking the bank. You would be amazed at the number of stores that offer entire dining sets for a fraction of the cost of purchasing each piece separately. If you cannot find what you are looking for in stores, search online. Often times, stores such as Target, Sam’s Club, and Wal-Mart carry a wide array of home furnishing and decorating products online.
 
 
Step 4: Create inexpensive drama.
 
Curtains and paint are both inexpensive ways to create drama in your home. Granted curtains can get fairly pricey, you can find them in most stores for roughly $10-$20 per panel. Adding color to any room automatically creates warmth. Before painting your walls, think back to what you intend on using the room for. If you want a relaxing space, consider using blue and green hues. If you are looking for warmth, yellow and related shades will give you just that. Lastly, white paint will renew any room add freshness and renew any room drastically.
 
 
Step 5: Bring on the accessories.
 
When shopping for accessories, head to your nearest discount home accessory store. You want to find items that attract attention, but don’t blow your budget. Keep your eyes open for unique picture frames, vases, colored-glass, mirrors and candles. Try to find items that will work together. Most decorative objects look better in groups than they do alone. Don’t rush any of your purchases. If there is something you really want, but it slightly out of the budget, give it some time and purchase it at a later date. While accessories are a great thing to have in your home, keep in mind that too many can make your space feel cluttered and small.
 
 
This article was brought to you by the mortgage experts at PrimeLending Dallas.
 
 
To contact a loan expert, call (800) 308-8503.
 
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