Budget Paintings for your Home

We all know how searching for paintings that match your walls, furniture, carpets, and most of all your personal style is a very time consuming task. For those of us who can afford it, looking for wall paintings can be wonderful and fun, but what do you do when:

a) you don’t have a lot of time or money
b) all the cheap paintings in the stores just don’t match your home/style
c) everyone seems to already have them
d) that blank spot over your fireplace is really starting to depress you!

After a long conversation with my interior designer sister-in-law, she let me in on a very important decorating tip. Whatever you can’t find ready-made within your budget, just do it yourself. There are tons of ideas out there on creative wall art ideas, but if you’re interested in hanging up more traditional canvas paintings around your home, then here’s what you do:

1) Go to your neighborhood art store or do a search online and purchase a couple of blank canvases (not a roll of canvas - you should get it already stretched and primed). You don’t need to purchase the highest quality canvas, so they should run very cheap.

2) Buy acrylic paint and brushes. Now here’s the important part; make sure that the acrylic paint colors you purchase match the color scheme of your home, but include one or two extra colors as unique accents. You’re already half way to creating your modern art masterpiece.

3) Make sure you set up the canvas on some sort of drop cloth. Once your floor is protected, you can drip paint onto the canvas, spray it, use cups or any other tools to make interesting designs. You can also paint the canvas a solid color first depending on what look you’re going for. Be creative; there are no set rules when it comes to creating your own canvas art!

4) Let it dry. You can hang your paintings up on the wall as they are, or if you like, add a small frame.

Stay tuned for more budget decorating ideas. Next we’ll be discussing creative wall art by covering canvas with fabric for a unique effect.

Decorating My Bedroom On a Budget

When moving into an apartment and faced with the task of its decor i was nervous.‎ Every person who walked into my new bedroom fell in love. It has high, ‎curved ceilings in an old Arabian Princess style with arching doorways and patterned ‎tiled floors.

The bedroom was so naturally beautiful on its own, whatever i chose to put in it ‎had to live up to it gorgeous structural standard.‎ On top of that, I didn’t have very much money, so I needed to figure out a way of decorating my bedroom on a budget.

Looking for Ideas:

Whenever I entered a cool shop I snapped pictures on my phone of different blankets, ‎bed spreads, lamps, etc so I could then check them out while in the context of my room. ‎I also took pics of the room with my phone so that I could compare the patterns and ‎colors to prospective purchases while in the stores. ‎

This way I could get a feel for whether things fit without having to commit to buying ‎anything. I like things simple and functional but with intrigue and uniqueness, so ‎keeping an eye out was key. Also, I like to use materials that I already have or can ‎come by easily to recycle them into something pretty and useful. ‎

Then came decision making time…‎

The Bedroom:

The heaters and doors are dark blue and the floor titles have a mainly dark blue pattern, ‎so I tried to look for little highlights in dark blue to keep things united.  I found a little ‎lamp at a home goods store for a great price.

I used the leftovers from our living room drapes to make my curtains which turned out to ‎be a perfect fit.

I wanted my big bed to match the eclectic grandeur of the room so I found a cool pattern ‎that included dark blue in it. ‎
‎
A flower pot from the home goods store became my trash bin and was a much cheaper ‎option than many of the actual trash bins!‎

The Bathroom:‎

There is a cool store that specializes in soaps and candles and I remember seeing their ‎sinks filled with colorful rocks. I thought this was a cool touch so I went for a walk and ‎picked up rocks along the way. They add a really nice zen touch to my sink. I also ‎picked up two cool sea shells and placed them on the top of the toilet.‎

To help with the color coordination, I also try to buy yellow colored toilet paper to match ‎the toilet seat. I find it’s the little things that count.‎

‎….‎
In the future:‎

My next project is to get some artwork up on the walls. Also it is so healthy to express ‎yourself. Why spend money on a picture when the act of making the picture is often the ‎best part? Even if your skill isn’t top notch, I’ve found that with a serious-looking picture ‎frame, anything seems professional.‎

I do love supporting artists but I think I’d be broke if I went to buy the art I really like.‎
Luckily, nature is the most detailed and intriguing art around… and for the most part it is ‎free! In this vain, I dried some flowers a friend bought me and am hoping to turn them ‎into some kind of picture or collage.‎

Magic with Slipcovers

Whether you’re furnishing an empty apartment or you simply want to give your existing room a makeover, one of easiest ways to save money with budget decorating is by using a slipcover over your couch.

A slipcover is a piece of fabric specially designed to fit snugly over couches of any shape and size once you tuck them in properly along their self-anchoring seems. There are fancier slip covers made of more expensive fabrics and cheaper ones that can also do the trick. Many manufacturers of slipcovers also provide matching pillows to add to the overall look.

So instead of buying a new couch, take a couple minutes and browse sites such as craigslist for used furniture. If you can find a cheap couch that is structurally sound, then a slipcover can make that piece of furniture look like new and even match a new room decor theme you were going for. You can literally save hundreds (even thousands) of dollars, while also having the luxury of changing your mind if you don’t happen to like the color you’ve chosen.

Make sure to do your research though as slipcovers will fit certain sofa structures better than other. Also, after researching some of the sites that sell them online, customers have complained that certain materials have a tendency to attract a ridiculous amount of lint.

Overall, if you have the extra time and are looking forward to a budget decorating adventure, then slipcovers are definitely the way to go.

Wall Art Decorating

Everyone has greeting cards with beautiful designs that they just can’t bear to through away (I know I do!). One way to turn this “garbage” into décor is by using them for wall art! Make sure the cards are the same size and that they look good together. Then simply fasten them onto pieces of foam board that are the same size as each card to add depth. Attach each piece to a painted square piece of cardboard and mount to your wall!

You can also try framing beautiful pictures from magazines. Buy a wide frame with a smaller center and hang a few coordinating magazine cutouts side by side or arranged on your wall. It’s a great way to decorate your walls at almost no cost!

For minimal artistic effort and maximum effect, try framing a fabric. You can find beautiful pieces of extra fabric either lying around your house or at the clearance section of material stores (sometimes for only a dollar). As long as the colors and design are beautiful and tasteful, framing it will instantly turn it into art.

Calligraphy is a beautiful as wall art and Japanese calligraphy especially enhances a Zen decorating style. You can do basic calligraphy on your own with just a brush and black paint. Just look at some examples and try copying the images. You might need a little artistic talent for this one, but if you keep it simple it won’t take too long to pick up. You may even be able to create some calligraphy in Japanese!

A great place to look for wall art is your kitchen. Plates, coasters and even dish towels that just take up needless space can be hung on your wall and displayed. Framed dish towels make beautiful wall art. Dishes and coasters can be hung with a frame or on their own.

These room decorating ideas may be simple, but they can make your walls look beautiful and barely cost anything. So before spending a fortune of wall art try these fun and creative techniques.

Headboard Ideas

If you’re looking for a way to spice up your bedroom without spending a fortune, try making your own headboard.  Although this might seem pretty arduous at first, you can create your own unique headboard without being an expert of arts and crafts.

A headboard is a way to mark off the area behind the bed creating a more elegant and elaborate.  There are many possible creative headboard decorating ideas.  To start simple, you can try decorating a plain wooden headboard you already have.  You could also start with a metal screen or a large artist’s canvas.

If you’re starting with a headboard that you already have, try decorating it with wallpaper decals.  They come in all colors, styles and motifs so you can create a look that matches your general room decorating idea or theme.

You can also create a bold headboard with a simple metal panel or screen.  By painting the area behind the screen, you can create a funky and bold effect. Try using either bright or metallic colors behind your screen or paint a dark shade and add shiny spots or designs in a different color. You can also attach different accessories to the screen to add flair, like butterflies or beads.

An artist’s canvas is one of my favorite headboard ideas! There is so much to work with and a lot of room for creativity.  The great thing about canvases is they are the perfect shape for putting behind the bed and can be decorated in no time.  Try covering the canvas with a piece of fabric or a variety of coordinating arranged in a pattern (for example, you can mount them in a square shape in the center of the canvas).  Painting the wall behind the canvas accentuates the headboard, especially if the paint color matches the fabric you’ve used.

Adding a headboard adds a lot to your bedroom and can be done without breaking your budget.  So start decorating and give your bedroom a cheap and stylish upgrade!

Fabrics for Budget Dorm Room Decor‎

So you have no money to afford anything fancy. Well, the truth about dorm room ‎decorating is that a little creativity and a couple solid ideas will go a long way. Many ‎students will spend tons of money on useless items that are meant to make a boring space ‎into something personal, but decorating your dorm room can be done on a tight budget ‎just by picking up one very useful décor tool: fabric.‎

Here’s a method to the madness. The first step is to take a pencil and a piece of paper and ‎see if you can sketch a cube to approximate an empty room. The next step is to take a ‎good look around your dorm room and see how you can rearrange things to make it a bit ‎more like a living room space. Try to sketch out the different pieces of furniture into your ‎miniature room design (and don’t worry, it’s not meant to be a masterpiece). If you can ‎visualize a new room, you can create it. That’s the beauty of room decorating ideas.‎

Before you start moving anything around, take a trip down to your local fabric store ‎where they sell huge rolls of any type of material you can imagine. This is where you let ‎your imagination run wild. Look first and foremost for colors that match the current color ‎scheme of your dorm room in the event that the walls are not white.

Once you’ve settled on the colors you’re looking for, pay close attention to textures. A ‎large, soft, furry piece of material can transform any piece of furniture into something ‎warm and inviting. Brown and cream colors are great for a cozier feel. Pastels are good if ‎you’re looking for a cleaner, modern style. You can use different types of fabrics to cover ‎your bed, the floor, serve as a table cloth, a carpet, curtain, and anything else you may ‎have. Make your purchases wisely though since they charge by length.‎

The final step is to begin rearranging your room and experimenting with the fabrics you ‎bought. Fiddle around, change your mind, and don’t be afraid to adjust the lengths and ‎widths or find creative ways to hang things. The combined effect of a more inviting ‎furniture arrangement as well as the enhanced color and texture of the fabrics will be sure ‎to give your dorm room that much needed face-lift you were looking for, well within ‎your budget. ‎

Decorating Your Bathroom on a Budget

You might think that turning your bathroom a place you’d actually want to spend time in requires a complete renovation.  The truth is that there are many budget-friendly ways to give your bathroom a beautiful and fresh look.

One way you can decorate your bathroom on a budget is by adding flowing fabrics.  Just like in your living room, the right fabrics can enrich your bathroom making it seem much more elegant.  Fabrics can be used on windows and your shower- just drape and fasten them over regular plastic shower curtains.  You can get creative with fabrics and use them to cover tissue boxes, toilet paper roll holders and trash cans.  You will have instantly have added a lot of character to your bathroom without spending a lot of money!

Flowers and plants are great for freshening up any bathroom.  Although they demand care, they add fresh air and beautiful colors.  Adding a few scented candles enhances the relaxing feeling.  Just make sure to keep flowers and plants to a minimum in order to avoid your bathroom looking like an indoor garden.

Another bathroom decorating idea that can be done on a budget is changing your fixtures.  You may not be able to spend a whole lot on retiling or buying a new sink, but changing light fixtures, faucets and handles can really change your bathroom’s look.

Placing your mirror in a beautiful colorful frame is another way to add dimension to your bathroom.  Placing a mirror over the bathtub adds to the illusion of space.  Inexpensive frames are not hard to find and can look great when placed over a mirror.  We decorated one of our mirrors with small spare tiles which gave it a frame that was both colorful and unique.

There are many more ways to decorate your bathroom on a budget.  You can hang stylish towels, buy new toothbrush holders and update your soap dish.  With enough creativity and attention to detail, your bathroom can look lavish and relaxing without overspending.

7 Easy Ways to Decorate on a Budget

Stylish decorating doesn’t have to break the bank. Here are some chic tips for decorating on a budget.

1.  Poster Art:

Beautiful framed art is great for adding color and style to a room. That’s why I love the idea of “poster art”- one of the cheapest but most elegant room decorating ideas. There are numerous sites (such as http://www.postercheckout.com) where you can browse through stunning posters with a huge variety of themes and designs. Pick up a classy, inexpensive frame at an art supplies store or a discount department store and voila! You have a masterpiece.

2.  Lamps:

Lamps are some of the most functional items in interior design. By arranging the lighting in a room you can choose what stands out and what gets hidden. Lighting can be positioned to highlight artwork, plants or any other object you want to accent. You can also place lamps behind your furniture to create an upward glow.

Lamps come in all sorts of shapes and designs and take up very little space. Unusual shapes, like ovals and squares give your room a modern edge, whereas bell-shaped lampshades are standard but classic. Colorful shades and bulbs are used to create a mood. Lighter shades allow more light through and darker shades reflect light downward. You can even create or remodel your own lampshades with ribbon, fabrics and other household items!

3. Vases:

Another fun and inexpensive way to revamp your room is by accessorizing it with beautiful vases. Vases have many different functions. They can spice up an ordinary room by adding color and texture. They can also serve to distract the eye from worn or out-dated pieces of furniture. Vases are also a great focal point in a room, especially if they are large or made of crystal.

Don’t think vases are only for plants or flowers! You can fill them with a variety of objects such as coral, colored sand, marbles, tree branches and more. Many vases, like ones made of colored or hand blown glass can be so colorful and unique on their own that you don’t need to add anything else.

4. Rugs:

Area rugs have a transformative effect. They can add a lot of color and texture which influences the whole mood of a room. Area rugs come in loads of different designs and patterns giving you endless opportunities to be creative. Light colored rugs can make a room seem larger and deep, dark colors make the room seem cozy and warm. Rugs come in all shapes and sizes. You can try adding ones with a round or hexagonal shape for major style. Don’t forget about rugs with fluff, fringe and other flair! These rugs might need a little extra vacuuming and careful handling, but its worth it.

5. Paint:

Painting is one of the best ways to redecorate on a budget. It is not only inexpensive, but it makes a dramatic difference in a room and doesn’t require any special skills. Painting the walls in a room make it feel fresh and new again.

And you don’t have to paint your entire room! Painting one wall or a piece of furniture can have a powerful effect. It is also a good opportunity to use bold, daring colors that you might not want to paint your whole room with. And don’t forget about your kitchen cabinets! A new coat of paint can do wonders!

6. Curtains:

Give your windows a makeover with a new set of curtains. Curtains can be put up in a way that affects the whole look of your room. If you want to freshen and brighten your room, you can hang curtains wide of the actual window frame by just buying a rod that extends out from each side. This lets you see the whole window when the curtains are open. Curtains can also help make your feel spacious by giving length to your walls. Hanging the rod above the window’s height close to the ceiling makes it appear higher.

You can also paint the rod and brackets the same color as the wall to enhance the illusion.
Generous fabric gives the room a relaxed and gracious feel, especially when they’re closed.

7. Candles

Candles are a budget friendly way to create a fragrant and warm environment and are an excellent finishing touch in a room. They are wonderful for accenting a kitchen, dining room and coffee tables. Candles can also be used to accent furniture, cabinets, countertops, bathrooms, or bedrooms. They can help turn an average or piece of furniture into the room’s focal point.

Candles can be placed in decorative holders blend with and enhance your room’s theme. Try adding flowers or other decorative elements around your candle. For extra glow, you place your candle arrangement in front of a mirror.

Remember that you don’t need tons of money to create an amazing design. Decorating is about expressing your individuality and personal style. A great design can be achieved, even on a right budget.