Refresh Your Home on a Budget

As we’re nearing the end of 2008, people are being more frugal than ever. Despite this, some are looking to update their homes, but cannot afford to do so. Rather than completely renovate your home, what better time to simply revise what you have for a fresh look? So, I brought the idea to Emily, a designer in the office and Diane’s right hand woman. After chatting for a while I asked Emily to come up with a few wallet friendly ways to refresh your home. Here are her top five:

PAINT
Painting, without a doubt, is the most inexpensive way to totally change the look of a room. Paint the whole house, paint one room, or paint an accent wall. Either way, your room will feel brand new and your old furniture will pop against the new colors.

REARRANGE
Nothing makes a room look brand new like moving furniture around. Find inspiration from your favorite design magazines and make some moves.

ORGANIZE
Revive your home by getting rid of “junk”. We’ve all got those cluttered rooms (or homes…); now is the best time to get rid of the unnecessary things to provide a brand new look and feel to your home. Moreover, getting rid of clutter will bring peace of mind during these tough times.

COZY UP
If you’re dying for a new couch but can’t afford one right now, spice up your current couch with throw pillows, blankets and other cozy accessories. These small contributions are leaps and bounds cheaper than a new sofa and but will dramatically change the look of a room.

DO-IT-YOURSELF
If you’re handy around the house, think about a “do-it-yourself” project. Put yourself to the task and try things like adding new decorations or reupholstering furniture. If you’re really ambitious, try building a piece of furniture! Not only could it look great, but you’ll have a wonderful trophy and showpiece to add to your décor.