Once the holiday decorations are stored and the house is put back in order, many people resolve to update a room and start the New Year with a fresh look. If the budget doesn’t allow a total makeover, adding a few new accessories or a dash of color in a different shade will brighten the interior and create a fresh new look. Dozens of options just require some creative thought and a little time to locate inexpensive pieces that co-ordinate with the room décor.
Add Color with Fabrics and Paint
A room that features primarily neutral tones can easily adapt to a dash of color on a floor rug, on walls or on existing furniture. Rooms that already follow deeper or brighter color palettes may need accessories in a contrasting shade to add new depth and freshness. The first step involves evaluating what colors exist in the room and deciding whether a new color may be introduced. Then look for inexpensive ways to make a few changes with these interior design tips:
- - Recover or add new pillows by shopping at bargain stores for fabric remnants or watch for sales.
- - Add a throw on a well used chair or sofa to disguise wear or spots and to add softness to the room.
- - Add a dash of paint, just one wall may be enough and only requires a gallon or two.
- - Add tassels, ties or new hardware to existing drapes using a contrasting color scheme.
- - Change lampshades to add color. Purchase inexpensive shades at discount stores or find craft books that demonstrate using fabric for a unique look.
- - Candles add ambiance to a room, even when they’re not lit. Replace them regularly as the colors often tend to fade and the fragrance wanes.
Choose a Few Accessories
- - Colored glass objects such as vases, bottles or bowls add instant pizzazz. Collect a grouping or choose one or two larger pieces.
- - Inexpensive pottery can be used throughout the home, not just in the kitchen. Expensive Italian and European pieces stand out in a room and reflect good taste but are not always affordable during budget years. The inexpensive pottery now available from China is of reasonable quality and full of bright color.
- - Update matting on framed prints or pictures and add a new background color. Use painted picture frames to add contrast to a wall.
Shop at Discount Stores or Thrift Shops for Fun Accessories
Very often a single piece of color is all that’s needed to give a room a new and brighter look. Once a color scheme is established, visit the local discount stores for home accessories that blend with the new palette. A large glass vase in an amber or red may be a new focal point on the dining room table or on a bathroom counter. Thrift shops often carry inexpensive items that are still usable. Look for pottery, baskets, picture frames and glassware. Searching for inexpensive home accessories is a fun way to update a home and still maintain the family budget.
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Kathryn Hedderig - The pleasure of writing enhances my life. I delight in the creative process, the excitement of formulating a new idea and bringing it to ...
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