Are you one of those people who are so tight that they creak when walking? Frugality is a good thing, but you may still be longing for a more beautiful home. Your budget may force you to be frugal, or you may simply choose to live well within your means. Either way, you can really spruce up your home without spending an exorbitant amount of money.
This article offers some easy ideas that you can use right now to transform those boring and bland rooms into spaces that offer atmosphere and appeal!
start with the floors
It may sound simple, but dirty carpets and heavily stained floors often detract from the beauty of your home. If your carpets are dirty, the colors don’t shine. Clean them yourself or have a professional do it for you. You will often find that there are beautiful hardwood floors under the carpet, especially in older homes, so it may be something you want to consider raising the carpet.
Tile or linoleum floors in the kitchen or bathroom can collect dirt, grease, and wax. This is easily fixed and your floors will shine like new again. Products that contain trisodium phosphate, like automatic dishwasher detergent, are perfect for removing old wax and grime. Just mix two scoops with two gallons of warm water and put some elbow grease in it! This mixture will not bubble, but you will need to rinse well after scrubbing.
painting makes everything better
A fresh coat of paint brightens up any room. The amazing thing about paint is that you can use it almost anywhere: on walls, furniture, floors, or glass. If you have a room that needs a little more ‘pop’, consider painting those bland walls a dramatic color. You can paint a single wall for a unique look. Just use a color from your upholstery. You’ll be amazed at how adding a large area of one of the primary colors to your decor will help accentuate these colors when they are in small patterns scattered around the room!
If your furniture is worn out and you don’t have money to buy new ones, paint it! Lightly sand the surfaces and paint the furniture in the color of your choice. If you like an antique or shabby chic look, sand the corners and edges lightly after painting.
Accessory!
Accessories have the ability to tie the whole look together or add an explosion of style and color without breaking the bank. To dress up your living room, consider boldly patterned cushions for the sofa and colorful prints for the walls. Throws not only keep you warm, but are also ideal for layering over worn spots on a sofa or as a great focal point when hung on their own on a wall.
Add a few colorful candles and some fresh flowers, and your home will feel like new again, even if you haven’t broken your budget. A little simple cleaning, painting, and some new fixtures will make you feel good about the look of your home!
