Tips on using Paint to Redecorate the House on a Low Budget

A paint job can be expensive if the house is large. A person should redecorate the house a section at a time so that one portion can be completed before moving on to the next. The best place is to start with the exterior as it is the most visible to the neighbors.

There are things to consider when choosing the color for the exterior. The paint should match or contrast with the other things such as doors, the railings, the roof, and the windows. By using paint that is compatible with these areas, a person can save time and money.

There are three types of paint available on the market: gloss, semi-gloss or flat. Each of these has its own characteristic as well as pros and cons. For example: a glossy paint requires more maintenance since the blemishes can be seen more easily.

If it is an older house there are three ways to redecorate the home without using a great deal of planning and without great expense.

• The first would be restoring the old color. This would entail simply matching the existing color and patching the damaged areas. Using this method the amount of paint needed as well as the cost would be minimized. If a person is not able to do the work, a painter could be hired to identify the damaged areas and do the work.
• The second doesn’t necessarily involve painting the house a different color. If this is not the first time the house was repainted, the person can refer to a historical chart and use that color.
• The third would be to follow the architectural trends of modern homes by using one of the popular colors. This doesn’t mean using a color that is totally different from the neighbors, but simply choosing one that is compatible.

Dark colored paint usually fades after a few years. This will cause others to perceive that the house is deteriorating. A person can prevent this by using light colored paint that does not absorb so much heat from the sun and encounter moisture problems.

A person doesn’t have to hire an architect or another professional to help choose the color for the home. An individual can use magazines and other publications which can be purchased at a reasonable price or consult with friends and neighbors who could provide insight for redecorating the home.

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Budgeting Money for Décor for Walls

People always want good value for money: not only when buying things from the grocery or buying a car. It is also important when purchasing items to use for the décor of the home.

Most people want the home to have a certain theme. Since this depends on the exterior look of the house there sure to be certain changes that need to be made. This could be as simple as buying new furniture or getting some artwork that will make it look good.

Those who are moving into a new home know it is going to have bare walls. Since the furniture being moved in may not match the walls, the person should consider what needs to be done before taking any action.

It does not take someone who specializes in interior decorating to get the job done. Any person can use a little imagination, search through magazines and get the advice of friends and family members for ideas.

Homes that have been in existence for a number of years will eventually show visible signs of deterioration of the walls. This may be due to aging or by the use of nails that have been used to hang paintings, etc.

There are many ways for a person to remedy this problem without spending a great deal of money. Use spackling compound to fill in the holes and then paint over it. This can easily be done by any person without hiring a contractor to do it. Another option is the use of wallpaper to cover the damaged walls. There are many beautiful patterns of wallpaper available at specialty or discount stores and one that will complement the furniture will be easy to find. You must measure the area to be covered before purchasing the wallpaper.

Those who don’t have enough money for paint or wallpaper can use artwork or a nice painting to place over the damaged area.

Most people prefer to use a large painting rather than several smaller ones. It gives a sense of simplicity rather than being cluttered. Many types of inexpensive artwork you can use to complement the furniture are available at discount stores, hobby stores, etc.

All it takes is for a person to check the budget and work within it. They do not have to break their budget to make the home look good.

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Dorm decorating on a budget

Decorating a dorm room is one thing, but decorating a dorm room while on a tight budget is another. As a student, you already have many expenses to worry about such as your books, various school fees, not to mention leisure activities. But this does not mean that your dorm room should suffer.

• Decorating your dorm room need not cost you an arm and a leg. All it takes is some creativity to make your dorm room look like a million in no time. Below are some tips for decorating a dorm room while on a budget.
• One way to minimize unnecessary expenses is to “borrow” or take what you can from your home. Your parents will not mind “lending” you some of the less-frequently used items in your house. Take old picture frames, carpets, rugs and even small appliances.
• One way to decorate any dorm room is to fill it with inexpensive but tasteful posters. You don’t even have to frame these posters. All you need is some type of adhesive tape and you can decorate your dorm walls. The wonderful thing about posters is the many designs and kinds from which to choose: a poster of your favorite band, movie or even your dream car.
• Memorabilia like pictures, postcards, concert tickets, etc. can be used as decorations for your dorm. The best thing about memorabilia is that it consists of items that you have collected that are meaningful and are priceless mementos of the past. Arrange your memorabilia in a creative manner on a corkboard. Creativity is the only thing needed to transform memorabilia into dorm room decorations. Like what they say, one man’s junk is another man’s treasure.
• Don’t expect to be able completely decorate your dorm immediately after moving in. Buying the decorations you desire all at once will take a toll on your budget so buy little things for your dorm room a few at a time when the budget allows.
• In furnishing your dorm room, remember that ready-to-assemble furniture is less expensive than ready-made. This furniture is ideal for dorm rooms because it can easily be transported from one place to another.
• Purchase needed hardware items like nails, nuts and bolts, duct tape, etc. from stores like Wal-Mart. These stores offer affordable prices for items that can be bought in bulk.

The most important thing to remember when decorating your dorm room is to have fun.

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Flea market and decorating on a budget

Is the decoration of your house stuck in some bygone era? Do friends who visit your house suggest you do some redecorating in your home? Then maybe you should consider changing the appearance of your home.

As a homemaker, your hands full when it comes to budgeting. There are just so many household expenses that often the upkeep of the home is put on the backburner.

What every homemaker must realize is that redecorating need not cost an arm and a leg. Sometimes all a person needs is a little creativity and a visit to a flea market.

That’s right! Flea markets are a good place to explore to find inexpensive home furnishings and decor. Some of the things that you can get from flea markets are draperies, carpets and rugs. These items often cost hundreds even thousands of dollars in home stores; but in flea markets, they can be had purchased for just a few dollars. When choosing draperies, carpets and rugs, be sure to buy solid colors that would blend with the color scheme of your home.

Other home items that you can buy from flea markets are toiletries, towels, shower curtains, soap dishes, etc. for just a fraction of a price of the same item found in retail stores. One good thing about flea markets is that you can often buy these items in bulk. A tip to use when purchasing toiletries is to buy them in sets rather than individual pieces which will save money in the long run. Buying in sets also ensures that the items match each other.

Bedding is another item that you can purchase at flea markets for very affordable prices. Blankets, comforters, pillows and pillow cases, blankets, bed sheets, etc. are readily available. When buying bedding, remember to buy those that will match the color of your bed and bedroom. Buy beddings in colors so that they can be mixed and matched with other items.

Bedding and toiletries are just two examples of the many household items that you can buy at flea markets. Many flea markets even carry items like ready-to-assemble furniture including tables, chairs, bookshelves, etc. This type of furniture is ideal for starter homes and apartments.

Always remember that in decorating your home you have better options than the large stores.

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Decorating Your Kitchen With Yard Sale Finds

Want to decorate your kitchen but don't have a lot of money?

With a little persistence and time, you can find decorative items at yard sales for pennies! Of course, it will take a bit more work then just walking into your local Home Interiors store, but you will spend far less and end up with some unique items that will add interest to your home.

You can find items at yard sales that will go with any kitchen decor. If your kitchen is country style, look for old baskets and chunky old pottery bowls and pitchers. Put them above the cabinets for a decorative display or use them on the counters to store fruits or everyday items. Look for old wooden boxes or silverware trays that you can use as decorative items - this old wood adds warmth and character to your kitchen.

Yard sale finds are perfect for decorating a retro style kitchen. You can still find many kitchen items from the 1970's and 60's in good condition. Some of these are true collectibles but many are just fun and decorative. I always look for old bread boxes, canister sets, salt and pepper shakers, napkin holders, wall clocks and other bric a brac for my retro kitchen.

If your kitchen is more of a 1940's look, you might have a harder time finding vintage items of the era, but you can come up with some good finds if you scour the yard sales and dig into those old boxes. Kitchens decorated in this era, beg for vintage linens to be used as tablecloths and displayed hanging from the stove and cupboard handles. These old linens are stamped with colorful designs and add cheer to any kitchen. Some of the state map tablecloths are quite collectible and can be very expensive in antique shops, so if you find one of those in your travels, you have a real gem on your hands!

If you prefer a modern or contemporary kitchen, you can find many almost new and gently used items to suit your tastes at every yard sale. Try hitting the sales in the upscale section of town and you might find some very expensive items for much less than you would pay at the retail store. You may have to look around a bit to find exactly what you want, but your persistence can pay off big time!

Sometimes you can find items at yard sales that have antique or collectible value. If you find that you gravitate towards collecting a certain type of item like old pottery or vintage linens, it might be worth your while to invest in some reference books on the subject. That way you will be able to recognize a good piece when you see it. Who knows, your yard sale find could turn out to be a real winner!

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