If your purse strings are tight, or you’re a thrifty shopper, you can have a tasteful and expensive looking interior at a fraction of what it would cost by buying everything at full retail value. Here are some suggestions for decorating economically.
Go to discount clothing stores, the ones that offer name brands for half the price. In the back of the store they usually have home furnishings, accessories, art work, tables, vases, lamps, and all sorts of interior embellishments that are brand new but at a fraction of the cost of a retail store. They are the same items sold at nice retail stores, but the stores may have liquidated their merchandise for some reason, and the discount stores buy them up for cheap and sells them for a lot less money. Some items may have minor flaws or nicks, so check them out carefully before you purchase them. Even if they have minor damage, they could still be a bargain.
Journey to thrift shops and garage sales, where you can find great bargains. While you’re there check out picture frames. Old picture frames can be crafted into expensive looking pieces of art. Gold frames or natural wood frames in good condition are great buys. You can print classic pictures from the internet onto photo paper, or use greeting cards, and insert them where the old picture was. Sometimes the attractive matting is already in the frame. The result is an expensive looking picture and piece of art work that only cost a few dollars. It’s amazing how attractive and expensive looking a picture can be when framed nicely.
Look on Craig’s List. Craigslist.org is a resource website offering many features and one is used furniture listings. Most postings have pictures of the items as well. YOu can find soem great buys on furniture especially. For example, you might find lamps that have a nice shape, but not like the color. Try painting them to give them a new look.
Decorating on a budget allows you to be creative. Throw on your flannel shirt and pop into these inglorious places, or search bargains online, for some true treasures to embellish your abode and add your personal creative style.
