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Affordable Decorating Tips

Take your home from ho-hum to high style without breaking the bank

By ARA Created: August 4, 2012 Last Updated: August 4, 2012
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Painting stripes in your room is a refreshing way to update your current colour scheme. (ARA)

Painting stripes in your room is a refreshing way to update your current colour scheme. (ARA)

Feeling uninspired in your space? Updating the decor is an easy way to add more colour, style, and personality to rejuvenate your home. Whether you’re making a few updates, like new artwork or wall colours, or renovating an entire room to give it a completely new look, decorating should be fun, not stressful. With a few simple tips, you can up the design ante in your home without breaking the bank.

Decorative Painting for Design

Painting can consist of much more than simple strokes of one colour. Take things to the next level with decorative painting. Create different patterns on your walls with textured rollers to achieve an artistic design. Sponge and fabric paint rollers provide unique patterns to give your walls a one-of-a-kind look. Low in price and high in design, using textured rollers is a great option for redecorating on a budget.

Painting stripes on a wall is a refreshing way to update your current colour scheme. A sequence of wide and narrow stripes in complementing colours is a stylish option. To achieve crisp, clean lines between each stripe, try FrogTape brand painter’s tape. The patented PaintBlock Technology applied to the edges of FrogTape helps prevent paint bleed, leaving precise lines and keeping the transition between your colours looking sharp.

A Plethora of Plates

Artwork is a great way to change things up and give any room a boost. Expensive traditional framed pieces of artwork aren’t your only option anymore. Instead, create an eclectic art piece with plates you already own, or find them at garage sales and antique stores. Opt for various sizes and shapes and attach each one to your wall with plate hooks. You can cover an entire wall, or focus on a smaller area—but before you get started, be sure to lay out your design on the floor first. This way, you’ll achieve your desired look, without extra nail holes on the wall from hanging as you go.

Runners and Rugs

While re-energizing your home, the hallways may seem a little drab. Add a pick-me-up by hanging portraits with funky frames along the walls. Add a runner along the length of the floor for a touch of pizzazz. Runners come in a multitude of lengths, patterns, and colours—not to mention price ranges. Updating the flooring will keep your feet cozy and help to diminish the sound of footsteps during the night.

If you have a space you want to update, but a full room makeover isn’t in your budget, consider an area rug to spruce things up. If the colour in the room is dull, the rug can add visual interest and a pop of colour, serving as an aesthetically pleasing addition. Area rugs also help to break up the space of a larger room and can add grandeur to a small space. A new rug will also protect your pre-existing carpet, vinyl, and hardwood floors, keeping them looking newer, longer.

Create different patterns on your walls with textured rollers to achieve an artistic design. (ARA)

Create different patterns on your walls with textured rollers to achieve an artistic design. (ARA)

 

Opt for Accents as Design Elements

No home redecorating project is complete without a few perfectly placed accents. These interesting items stand out from your primary colours and furniture pieces, offering a fresh look to any space.

Accent pieces—like chairs, frames, or vases—will spice up a monotonous colour scheme while harmonizing with everything else you may already have in the room. Consider a bright beanbag chair for your child’s bedroom, a bold lawn chair on your patio, or a lamp base in a complementary colour on your console. Keep in mind accents are meant to speak for themselves, so there’s no need to have another elaborate piece in the room to pair with an accent piece. Just one affordable piece is all it takes.

 

When the redecorating bug bites, embrace the opportunity to freshen up your home inexpensively. With a pinch of creativity and a dash of design inspiration, you can easily make over any space into one that’s perfect for you.

ARA

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