BellaOnline Forums Home and Garden Budget Decor What budget decor ideas have you used?

Hi everyone! I thought it would be fun to share actual budget decorating ideas that we've implemented in our own homes. What have you done?

I think one of my favorite things to do is paint. I've painted walls, furniture, cabinets, stairs, etc. I love how the transformation is practically immediate.

Donna

I've sanded and painted a few furniture pieces, but most of the changes in our home in recent years have cost me nothing more than sweat. Deep cleaning, merciless de-cluttering, and rearranging the furniture are all wonderful ways to brighten up and refresh one's living space.

My most recent smaller scale projects:

I gathered (free) out of date calenders in search of attractive photos, weeded out my favorites, and purchased inexpensive frames for them. My formerly bare walls now have a wide collection of beautiful images in small, easy to rearrange sizes. (The small sizes are great for themed groupings!)

I sanded down a desk I've recently replaced (found a design that offers much more efficient storage and does not allow space for much loose paper -my clutter weakness). The freshly sanded desk is currently listed for sale on craigslist.

In the next month: more decluttering and giving a small step-ladder I use around the house a "sand and paint" job to freshen it up a bit.

Your finds sound great! Being a newly single mom, Budget decor has taken on a whole new meaning for me!

Recently my kids and I started going to yard sales and looking for bits and pieces we could make over for not much money. I've found some great book cases that I repainted for their rooms. Also some neat plant stands that I spray painted.

Love looking and getting a bargain.

Myrabeth, thanks for sharing. I love that you framed old calendars.

Bethj, I love going to yard sales for furniture finds, too.

Donna

I did one wall in my dining room in sponge painting. It turned out really nice. I was really into sponge painting after that and did some flower pots for my patio too.

I also bought a bunch of plates and broke them up to make mosaic stepping stones for my back yard too. I'd love to do a bigger project with this too, like a table top.

I like the idea of framing old calendars too. I usually buy one for my kitchen that I really love and hate to throw it away at years' end.

Green1, I really like the results of sponge painting, too. The first time I tried it, I was amazed at how fast and simple it is to do. I did my daughter's room in various shades of pink. Everyone who saw it thought it was wallpaper and had to touch it to know for sure! lol

I love mosaicing things for my home, too.

Donna