The Living Room
The living room is one area of the house many families are most worried about looking good, but it can be also the most used space in the house. Always remember, the less clutter, the better. Have only what you need and use, especially in a small home or apartment. This way the space you have will look larger, and clean up will be much faster. Another trick to creating a warm living room is color on the walls and floor. Find a painting you like and get a cheaper print or poster, then frame that. Or, try to paint a similar copy yourself. This works especially well with geometric art. If you hate your walls and can't paint, get some sticky tack or even hot glue and put up removable wallpaper. Some comes with adhesive but it's more costly. This can change a room dramatically. If you have an old couch you want to fix up get some fabric upholstery you love at your local craft store and reupholster using just some glue and a staple gun. Sew the cushion covers and pillow slip covers yourself and you've got a new room for a fraction of the cost of buying new furnature. Another trick to a great living room is getting an area rug. This also works great if you have a studio type apartment without divided room space. Finally, a big plant and some pretty family pictures can really make the space warm and inviting.
The Bedroom
I'm a big fan of refinishing. You can get furnature with great potential at different thrift stores for very low cost, which then can be sanded and then either painted or coated with wood protecting sealant. After that you can purchase a nice vase of flowers and some wall frames or lamps, add some coordinating fabric to the lamps and you're done. As lamps can get expensive, just buy the electric light components, and make the stands yourself using a piece of wood drilled through the center, or an old vase. You can also make the shade or decorate one that's old, plain, or ugly with fabric and glue. A great way to make a bedroom stand out also includes making a quilt to match the colors of the room and sewing up some easy window coverings. As pillows can be expensive and add up quick sew some new covers yourself and stuff them with old pillows you don't use. Craft stores sell unfinished frames for lower prices than you can buy them and then you pick the color they end up. A can of paint and some time and imagination can sometimes be all you need to finish a great room.
The Kitchen
With this kitchen you'll notice immediately the yellow and earth tone theme. The trick for taking a kitchen like this from boring to amazing is to add color pops around the room. Notice the bright green plants, colorful fruits, and red cookware on the stovetop. You can also do this with the pictures you choose to frame. Use a brightly colored matt board (construction paper will work when done carefully) to give this room WOW power. Also, using silk flowers in bright colors will look great and you don't have to continually buy more. Wait until you get a coupon and slowly build up your budget bouquet!
The Nursery or Kids Room
Remember when freshening up the look of your child's room to include them in the job. They may have great ideas on how to decorate, and still remain in the budget. If your child has a favorite cartoon character or stuffed animal for instance, take that as your inspiration and plan your color pallet and room arangement accordingly. Often kids like bright colors, but a nursery will be more calming for a little one if it's pastel or neutral. Color pops can come from stuffed animals, pretty quilts, wall hangings, and of course, toys. Decorating organizational containers can really do a lot for a room. Find a cheap piece of old furnature such as a dresser or chest, and refinish it. You can make an old piece shine with a new coat of paint. Also, recognize that if you put any decorative items in the kids room, they shouldn't be breakable if the children are extremely mobile. You don't want to create a hazard with a glass vase or picture frame that could fall and break. Instead decorate while making the room an activity center for the child. Add a chalk board, play table, or musical instrument. Something that makes them excited to learn and be alive. If the child has a small pet, contain the mess to eliminate and control the spread of bacteria not to mention the smell. Laminating the surface the cage is on makes for quicker clean up, or add a cute but colorful tray underneath that can be cleaned and disinfected without a hassel.
I wish you the best of luck as you make your home be more beautiful and peaceful on a budget. Happy Decorating!!
