Decorating on a Budget

Do you find yourself in this situation?

-You have more design or idea magazines than furniture that you actually like?

-You have more ideas than pieces that you can afford?

Here are some tips that have worked for me over the years.

PICK out pieces you like from all sources until you have a style in mind.

REDUCE your choices until it is manageable and you can visualize them in your space. Incorporate what you already have to further reduce cost.

ARRANGE your pieces according to what room you wish to start in.

YOUR eyes are your best tool; keep on the lookout for deals on the pieces, on a great deal, that are very similar to your choices. Do not get stuck in exactness; similar lines give off the same feel without damaging your wallet too much.

START pairing your choices and ideas with paint samples to best show them off once you've gathered enough to start a room redo.

We got our new house back in March. Our Family Room looked like this- white and blah
By starting to place items that might work, the idea solidified in our heads. So we got started...

Here's our (almost) finished Family Room:

We wanted a Tropical Jungle feel. Deep in the jungle where the sun doesn't reach much.

We first decided on paint colors that would give us that feel. To eliminate claustrophobia, we painted the far wall a deep red to give that tunnel like effect to give depth. I kept the greens to the plants to further emphasize the tropical feel.

Paint-Lowe's with 10% off coupon. Red and Camel
Sofa-JC Penney; 60% off plus extra 10% coupon

Lamp bases- Lowes; Clearance $17 each / shades-40% off

Live plants and pots-Home Depot; 50% off

Orchids-Michael's 2009; 50% off

Mirrors-Ross 2008; $10 each

Curtains-Walmart; $10 each

Turtle Prints- JC Penny Outlet-70% off + 10% off on Tuesdays

Vases-Ross; $5 each

Bookcases-Ikea; 40% off

Books- Half Price Books; on clearance for another 50% off
English table with tropical feel-JC Penney; 80% off + $10 off

Ferns-Walmart; $3.50 each

Asian pot-Friend; FREE /stand-Arizona 2002; $10

Candles-Ikea; $10/3

Even designers go through much research in finding just that right piece to bring out the theme of the room without being too loud or garrish.

With a sharp eye on deals for pieces you absolutely want, you can soon enjoy the room you've always envisioned. Happy designing!