4 ways to update the look of your home
- by Francesca Clarke (RSS feed) on Nov 29th 2007 6:00PM
- Filed under home decor
Thanksgiving is behind us and Christmas preparations are under way. We'll bring out old boxes of decorations and add some new stylish pieces. It doesn't matter how good your decorating taste is, if you're trying to hide wood panel walls and '70s linoleum, your house can only look so good. What better motivation for some household updates than your parents coming to town. Surely they will wonder why you haven't fixed that tear in the wallpaper from last year?These updates don't have to take from your Christmas fund, there are four easy ways to update the look of your home and stay on a tight budget. I'll provide two important tips after the break.
- Refresh your furniture
New furniture is expensive. Most of the furniture we have wasn't even new when we bought it so upgrading to brand new pieces just isn't in our budget. Still, that is no excuse for ugly stuff. Painted vintage furniture is extremely popular, making a fun project, a reasonable price, and an artistic addition to your room. Refinish any scratched furniture or re-cover dated fabrics. - Throw pillows
These are a powerful design tool, changing the look of a room, adding seasonal tones, and softening furniture. Play around with what you like, but add many and change often. The gallery shows different ways that throw pillows can be used in a room.
Comments [6]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
12-03-2007 @ 4:10PM
Element Interiors said...
Thanks for linking to my article!
Reply
12-04-2007 @ 6:24AM
dj said...
Everything old is new again. When I watch some of the decorating shows on tv, I see lots of money with very little personality. Anyone can redo a kitchen or a room for $50 grand and most if not all of the high end spaces tend to look the same-a little granite, a little travertine, wood floors, same cabinets, couches, etc. blah, blah, blah.
I've been collecting antiques and vintage American pieces (sp) from thrift stores, antique shops, relatives, yard sales etc. You can still find solid wood furniture-not particle board - if you have the time to look- for very few dollars. Buy pieces and fabric that you love and it all comes together, or then maybe use a designer to help you to coordinate your finds.
Reply
12-04-2007 @ 9:32AM
ike sisane said...
If you like something that is old maybe a touch up will do the trick. A favorate chair , redue the material, A painting, reframe, a rug have clean and place it in another location. With style you can mix and match new furniture and with antiques and still feel "at home"
Reply
12-04-2007 @ 10:44AM
daisy said...
I love adding accent touches in bright colors. I shop Target for fun interesting, modern and CHEAP stuff that can make a statement.
I love buying inexpensive items that look designer. I buy most of my stuff at an online shopping mall that gives me between 5-55% back in cash on all my purchases.
There are over 1000 stores including Sephora, Apple, The Gap, Target
(great for soo much), Macy's. I also wait for sales so I get my cash
back and the lowest price
http://www.dailyoink.com The site is ugly, but well worth it.
Reply
12-04-2007 @ 11:00AM
Robert Wayne said...
I can't even afford a down payment on a new home, much less afford to upgrade one. I'm stuck in this miserable apartment the size of a walk in closet and everything keeps going up....especially real estate, while wages stay the same around here in southwest Louisiana. It's impossible to save for a down payment on a home in a decent neighborhood when rent is outrageous everywhere you go too.
Reply
12-04-2007 @ 11:10AM
Bear said...
Sorry to here about your housing conditions, I think in time things will get better, Where I live and the housing market being as it is, several home prices are going down, as well as many are selling w/zero down w/option to buy. keep trying. there is a place you can call home. Good luck and happy holidays