Whether you’re moving into your first home or apartment, or you just want to refresh your surroundings after a few years, decorating or re-decorating can be expensive. The good news is that you have lots of options beyond high-end interior design firms or upscale showrooms. Here are a few ways you can change up your home’s look without breaking the bank.
Affordable Furniture
Let’s talk about furniture. It’s shockingly easy to rack up a bill of several thousand dollars on couches or living room sets at a big box store. There are plenty of other options, however. From office furniture liquidation sales held by moving or closing businesses to auctions, estate sales, and personal ads, you can find bargains on furniture by simply keeping your eyes open. You may even be surprised at the quality you can find, thanks to motivated sellers. Some may just be in the same situation as you; they’re ready to upgrade and will be happy to make a deal!
Simple Lighting Moves
Sometimes your decorating woes aren’t caused by what’s in your home, but by how it looks. Bad lighting can make good decoration look drab, and even negatively affect your mood. On the other hand, great lighting can make modest decorations look great! Natural and track lighting are great ways to add brightness or accents, and overcome flat, shadowy fluorescent light.
A Fresh Coat of Paint
Along the same lines of brightening up a room with light, changing the color of the walls can also make a night and day difference. While neutral colors are desirable because they can accommodate changing pieces of furniture, art, and other accessories. On the other hand, creating calm with light, cool colors in common rooms, or pinks and reds in bathrooms or bedrooms are easy, quick, and affordable ways of changing, personalizing, and upgrading your home’s look.