Decorating On A Budget For Christmas

Decorating a home can be an expensive endeavor. Trying to find ways to spend less is a necessity if you are on a tight budget. There are many places where you can skimp and still achieve the look you desire. However, cheap isn't always best, so you choose carefully where you are going to try to save. Take your time, wait for sales, and split up expensive purchases between paydays so that the cost doesn't hit you all at once.

Buy Used

When you can't spend money on buying new, it's time to look for used items. Yard sales, online sale sites, and thrift stores are a good place to start. You can often find nice stuff for a good price. Don't shy away from things just because they need to be cleaned or need to be repaired. Just make sure that you have what you need to get the item into shape.

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Refurbish What You Have

If you already have furniture or décor, refurbish what you have. Reupholstering a chair or upcycling decorations can help you to save money while getting what you need to make your home look nice. Painting wooden items or adding accents to other furniture can help you to get the look you want inexpensively.

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Choose One Focal Point

When money is tight, try to focus on one area of the room to give visitors something to focus on. This is where you will place the bulk of your money. Maybe you can dress up a fireplace in your bedroom or add a rug to the center of the room. By focusing on one thing, you can get what you truly want for the space.

Learn a New Skill

Part of the expense of decorating is having to hire professionals. If you can learn how to do tasks yourself, you can save a lot of money. Learn how to lay a floating floor or how to put up a backsplash. You can watch videos or even take how-to classes at a home improvement store. On top of the cash you will save, you will also feel a sense of pride in knowing that you played a vital part in the revamping of the space.

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Improve the Lighting

Lighting can make a huge difference in a room. You can add brighter, but softer lights. Try to avoid harsh lights that can pinpoint imperfections in the space. If there are large windows in the room, try to find window treatments that allow that natural light into the room. Lamps are another lighting option that can also add an interesting décor touch to a darker area of the space.

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Create Your Own Artwork

You can create your own artwork to decorate the walls. You don't have to be a great artist. Abstract paintings let you create a design that represents something about your life. The supplies to make this happen don't have to be expensive, but make sure that you get quality paints so the artwork looks nice on the wall.

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Accent the Ceiling

People overlook the ceiling when they are trying to improve the décor in a room. Think about adding accents like framing to the ceiling to give it a fresh look. Decorative tiles for the ceiling are available at most home improvement stores. These can provide an inexpensive update to a room when you are on a budget.

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Paint for a Fresh Look

Painting a room freshens it instantly. You can add a bold statement by painting three walls in a base color and then painting the fourth wall in an accent color. There are also patterns and styles that you can use on the walls when you paint. Don't be afraid to buy samples of colors that you think you will like so you can take them home to see exactly how they will look with the other décor in the room.

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Choose a Simple Theme

Some themes are much more inexpensive than others. Think about what themes you want to use in a room and price some of the accents that you will need. The theme can be something specialized like a nautical theme or a Victorian theme, but color themes are also common. By choosing a theme that has accents and items readily available, you can improve the space as your budget allows.

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Focus on Small Details

Small details in a room can make a huge difference in how it is viewed. Placing flowers on the nightstand or books on the coffee table won't cost much, but they can complete the décor in the room. A bonus to these small details is that you can change them periodically. Seasonal items, such as holiday décor can also make a room feel welcoming.