Decorating on a dime

Inexpensive home pick-me-ups to give your place a whole new feel

Feeling like it’s time to freshen up that fabulous place of yours, but don’t know where to start? Have you looked through the design magazines, cleaned up your drool, and thought - I will never be able to afford any of that!

That may be true, but design doesn’t need to mean decadently priced. Might we suggest a few small and inexpensive pick-me-ups which can be done for next to nothing and will give your place a whole new feel? Consider the options…

1. Throw pillows: These can be found at any department store or discount home store. Often found on sale, throw pillows are a great way to put some colour into a space without committing too much to any one design.

2. Bringing outside items…inside: Think pinecones and fallen branches in the winter; sturdy greens and pussy willows in the summer. Grab a pile of any one of these items and toss them in a glass jar or vase (go for that scattered, vintage look). If you feel like getting crafty, head to a craft store and pick up some iridescent glitter. Sprinkle that over your items and voila - something that looks like it came straight from the gift section of your local boutique.

3. Paint: If you do it yourself, this can be one of the cheapest ways to create a drastic change in your home. For big impact, grab a gallon of paint and go at your walls! Or try painting just an accent wall; a gallon of paint is likely all you need.

4. Candles: We associate most memories with scents, so if your place smells warm and cozy, it will likely be reflective of wonderfully warm memories. Find a scent you like, light the candle and relax

5. Create a scene: Group books of similar colours, seashells, rocks . Put them in a decorative bowl, stand a framed photo as the backdrop, and drape a throw over a nearby chair or bench. It’s about creating a tableau (think, artful clutter).

6. Rearrange your furniture: This one doesn’t cost a dime! Designers are known for switching up their furniture - from room to room, or just rearranging the same pieces in a different configuration - to keep their home and their inspiration fresh. See if it can work for you too.

The final reveal

It’s surprising how small and simple tweaks can add up to big impact. Suddenly, your room has…you know…personality.

And while budgeting and saving can sometimes feel stifling, there’s real power in giving your home just a wee little lift…it lifts your spirits at the same time.

This article was provided with permission from the writing and expertise of Tiffany Mealia of She’s So Savvy. ShesSoSavvy.ca is an online destination for young professionals who want to live big lives in the big city while still saving money. Marrying her advertising, sales, and web background, with her spend-savvy skills and love for connecting with people, Tiffany started She's So Savvy as a guide for people who want to live a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget. Tiffany has taken the stigma out of talking about financial limitations and endorses living a great city life to the fullest within a manageable budget.

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