Do you find yourself bored with a room in your house, but seem to have hit a brick wall when it comes to inspiration? With the state of the economy, this brick wall often affects finances as well, sometimes severely limiting interior design options. Here are 10 tips for even the tightest budgets:
- Add a Rug: A fairly inexpensive way to change the entire atmosphere of a room is by adding in a rug or two. Besides protecting wood floors and keeping dust levels down, they can also add a splash of color to a neutral color palette and provide a focal point.
- Paint: Whether painting just one wall, the molding, or the whole room, paint is a relatively inexpensive way to change the entire look of your home. Test the colors out before you paint by using a test swatch on every single wall in the room and then studying the colors in different lighting: morning, afternoon, and evening. Paint can appear completely different throughout the day, as well as in different types of light (overhead and floor lamps, for example).
- Lighting: Lighting is often considered the most important facet of interior decorating. This element alone can drastically alter the mood of a room. Even if a complete overhaul of the lighting and wiring system is out of the question, simply adding floor and table lamps makes a massive difference. Better yet, installing a dimmer switch gives control over the light's intensity.
- Candles: Technically a subcategory of lighting, candles deserve a category in and of themselves. The dim lighting candles provide can be used to achieve a temporary mood in a room. Even when not lit, candles also serve as a decor element.
- Pillows: In all shapes, sizes, colors, and patterns, pillows (and pillow covers) can instantly change the color scheme or theme of your room. Real Simple Magazine offers some advice on this topic in the article, Decorating with Throw Pillows.
- Flowers: Many design experts recommend keeping plants and flowers indoors. NASA researchers recently released a list of indoor pollutants along with plants and flowers that reduce these typically carcinogenic chemicals. Their recommendation is 1 potted plant per 100 square feet of home space. With the many choice of plants and flowers, as well as vases and pots, a room can easily be accessorized and revitalized.
- Wall Art: One fun craft for people of all skill levels is fabric panel wall art. With this D.I.Y. project, fabric is stapled over a wooden frame. The end result is what appears to be an expensive canvas. Choose different types of fabric depending on the theme of the room in question. Try pairing several contrasting or complementing fabrics: even two solid colors, such as black and white, next to each other can appear very modern.
- Hardware: Switching out hardware is another tweak for your country home that will freshen up a boring piece of furniture. Whether replacing doorknobs, drawer knobs, or cabinet handles, the only tool you'll need is a screwdriver. The most fun (and potentially timeliest!) part of this project will be picking out the new decor, easily found at hardware store. These little details really jazz up a piece of furniture, allowing you to showcase your personality.
- Mirrors: Try playing around with mirrors of different sizes and shapes to alter perception of a room's size. A collection of mirrors grouped together on a wall is a cheap and fun way to freshen your room's appearance. Once the original arrangement gets boring, go ahead and shuffle the mirrors around. The possibilities are endless!
- Rearranging Furniture: The cheapest of all of these methods is to take what the main pieces in a room and move them around. Enlist the help of family or friends to help visualize new ways to place the largest elements of your room's decor. If no options are presenting themselves, try removing one piece, even temporarily. Performing this can be tricky in small or odd-shaped spaces, but the outcome will be truly rewarding.
Ranging from quick and easy to slightly more complex and crafty, the previous 10 ideas for updating your country home are cost effective, yet deliver impacting results.
Please keep the bio intact with this article. View the original blog by Jacqui Barnett and more articles on the latest in country decorating trends at Timeless Country Decor Blog. Visit Timeless Country Decor for country decorating options and an enormous selection of primitive decor items perfectly suited for all your country home needs.
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