You want your bathroom to be attractive; after all, this is a room that visitors in your home often frequent, not to mention the members of your family.  This is also where you take a relaxing soak in the tub after a long hard day!  Making your bathroom relaxing and beautiful without spending more than your budget can spare is a challenge, but it can be accomplished.

Here are a few tips that will help you transform your bath for just a few hundred dollars.

Renew the walls

Are your bathroom walls a bland off-white or cream color?  Consider using bold, vibrant tones or softer pastels.  Peach, burnt orange and soft blue are great for the bath; butter yellow and sea foam green are other great colors that will give the room a fresh new appeal.

You can paint the walls of your bathroom for practically nothing – just the cost of a can of paint, a roller and a paint brush!  You may also want to consider some of the techniques that add rich texture to the walls such as sponging, feather dusting and rag-rolling.

Give your vanity a new look

If the front of your vanity is wood, consider giving it an entirely different look with – again – paint!  Sand off the finish if it is stained and sealed, and then apply paint in a cloud blue, cream or butter yellow shade.  You might also consider stenciling the cabinet doors with a complementary pattern in order to add a unique touch.

Have a somewhat boring mirror over your vanity?  Liven it up a bit by adding vanity lighting down both sides, or place a wallpaper border around the entire perimeter (you can also paint a border around the edges.)

Time for new accessories

You would be surprised at just how much of a difference changing out your accessories can make!  Consider a new shower curtain, bath rug and toilet lid.  Today, you can find toilet lids in a wide array of colors, and they are easy to change yourself.

A shower curtain patterned with birds, flowers or a seascape adds fresh color to the room.  Add bath and hand towels that complement or contrast with the colors in your decor; also consider displaying some of your nicest towels in a wicker basket.

Accents

Some bathrooms are simply too small for many accents, but you can decorate the walls with prints that blend with the rest of your decor.  If you do have some room to spare, consider placing a wrought iron or wicker plant stand in one corner filled with casually flowing greenery.  If space allows, include a relaxing candle in scents such as lavender or tranquility.

If you are willing to do it yourself, you can even re-floor your bathroom for very little money.  Today, you can find linoleum and tiles that are easy to install, and give your bathroom an entirely new look!

Put some of the tips above to use, and you will find that your bathroom takes on an entirely different personality without spending much at all.

Remodeling a living room can cost a substantial amount of money; today, many people just don’t have the budget for a complete remodel.  If your living room needs a fresh new look but your financial situation prevents you from spending too much money, this article offers tips for giving the room an entirely appearance for $1000 or less.

Paint – A budget-friendly solution for many problems

Paint can cover a multitude of sins!  If your walls are paneled and look like they came right out of the 60′s, paint can work miracles.  You can paint directly over clean paneling, or remove it if you like.  Use trendy shades such as peach, burnt orange or toast to warm up the room.

You may want to paint baseboards and trim a contrasting or complementary color to add depth and interest.  Paint your ceiling a bright white to make the room look taller, or a darker shade to bring a tall ceiling down to size.

Paint can also be used to give your wood furniture a new look.  Sand off the old stain or paint, add a new color and gently sand the edges for an antiqued appearance.  Also consider giving your walls rich texture by using techniques such as rag-rolling and sponging.

A new floor doesn’t have to cost a fortune

Most people assume that putting a new floor covering in the living room will cost thousands of dollars, but that isn’t necessarily true.  Today, you can have carpet or laminate flooring installed for approximately $2 per square foot.  This means that if your living room is 300 square feet, you can have a brand new floor for about $600!

Laminate flooring is a project you can probably handle yourself, so you don’t pay for installation charges.  Carpet is a bit trickier, and it’s probably best to leave the installation of carpet to the pros.

Lighting

Another bright idea for updating your living room is to install a new light fixture especially if you have only one in the ceiling as the main source of light.  Replace it with a completely new light fixture, or consider placing a ceiling fan with lights to give the room a cozy, comfortable appeal.  You can replace a light fixture or add a ceiling fan for about $100.

Window treatments make a world of difference

Have a large window in your living room that is your main source of natural light?  If you have sheers, curtains or thick draperies hanging from the windows, consider a window treatment that is a bit more modern in appearance.  A fabric valance with tassels that hang just over the top edge of the window adds modern appeal, and lets natural light flood the room!

These are just a few ideas for giving your living room an entirely new appeal without spending more than your budget will allow.  Put these tips to work in your home, and your living room will look as though you’ve spent a fortune – only you will know the real truth!

Remodeling a kitchen can cost a fortune, but you can make a few easy (and cost-effective) changes yourself that will give your kitchen an entirely new look.  If your kitchen is beginning to look a little drab and needs livening up a bit, this article will give you some inspirational ideas that will help you “do it yourself” – and give you a kitchen you will once again love sitting in while enjoying a cup of hot coffee as the sun rises over the horizon.

Give drab windows an overhaul

If you’ve been using mini blinds or curtains that are out of date, consider hanging a curtain rod and folding fabric napkins or placements over it at a diagonal.  This will add a bold splash of color and a unique design!

Switch out your handles and drawer pulls

Instead of brass or wood knobs that are plain, get a little creative.  You can easily replace your knobs and handles with unique patterns available today such as vegetables, fruit, teapots and abstract styles that add an unusual touch to cabinet doors and drawers.

Get the look of new appliances

Have appliances that work like new, but the colors are outdated?  You can easily change colors by using appliance paint.  Simply remove handles and tape off any areas you don’t want painted with masking tape.  Apply the color of your choice, and enjoy appliances that look new and modern.

Nothing breathes new life like a fresh coat of paint

Just painting your walls in itself can give your kitchen a fresh new look.  Try some of the easy techniques such as sponging, stamping, rag-rolling and feather dusting to create a beautiful, rich texture.  Consider painting baseboards and trim a contrasting color to really make the walls “pop.”

Do-it-yourself floors

If your floors are stained or worn out, it can be expensive to have new ceramic tile or wood floors installed.  Today, there are beautifully patterned self-adhesive vinyl tiles you can easily install yourself, and they are far less costly than having other types of floors installed.  The quality has also improved drastically over the years.

Give your cabinets a new finish

It’s fairly easy to strip the old finish off of your cabinets and replace it with new.  Citrus-based strippers are now available that let you easily remove the old finish with greater safety.  Just layer it on, let it set for a few minutes and then rub off with rags.  Once you remove the old finish, you can create an antiqued, worn look by painting and then sanding the edges, or apply a combination of polyurethane and stain for a fresh new look.

Clear the clutter

Nothing makes a kitchen look as messy as too much clutter.  When you have small appliances, mail, dishes and other things scattered all over your counter tops, the look is nothing but cluttered.  Put small appliances under the counter or in a pantry.  Remove everything except the absolute necessities, and you will see that your kitchen instantly has a more spacious, clean look.

Add a few embellishments

If you really want to spruce up your kitchen, try some of the new do-it-yourself crown molding at the top of your cabinets or even around the ceiling.  Consider placing a chair rail around your entire dining room to dress it up a bit.  These additions will give your kitchen a dressy, elegant appeal.

The ideas mentioned above are all affordable, and most are easy to accomplish yourself.  A complete remodel would cost tens of thousands of dollars if you were to buy new cabinets, new floors, and new counter tops.  By doing these things yourself, you potentially save thousands – and have a brand new kitchen you will absolutely love.

Are you on a budget but still want to decorate your home?  There are many cost-effective things you can do to make a house look amazing.  Additionally, there are some tricks to decorating that can keep your house cool during the summer months that can fit into your plans.  If you are looking to decorate your home on a small budget, or just to want to prevent the hot sun from skyrocketing your electric bills, keep these ideas in mind while shopping.

Conserve energy AND give your home a “cool” new look

A good way to keep your house feeling comfortable during the summer is to control how much sunlight is coming in the windows.  When sun shines directly into the house it heats things up a good 5 or 6 degrees; you can fix this by simply using curtains.  Thick, dark colored curtains are the best way to keep the sun from heating you rooms in the summer.  This can make a world of difference in your energy bills, as your air conditioning won’t kick on as often.

Another thing to keep in mind is textures; during hot summer months, looking at a warm, fuzzy blanket will make you feel ever hotter.  Remove those accents that seem warm, whether it is a fuzzy blanket or pillow, and replace them with fun, bright colors like orange, yellow and pastel blue for throw pillows, area rugs, etc.  Also to save you money, turn down the lighting in the room; the brighter the light, the warmer the temperature – and the more electricity you use.  Using a cute colored fan can be the best way to cool down a room and stir the air around a bit!

Use what you already have in a different way

If you are just looking to decorate on a budget, there are several things you can do without a lot of expense.  Re-use things in your home; for example, if you get tired of seeing the same things in the same spot, just simply move them to a different area.  Doing so will bring a fresh look to your home, and you won’t spend any money at all.  A good way to change the look of a room without spending a whole lot is painting.  Painting walls, end tables, lamp shades and other accents can completely transform the look of a room!

Artwork is great for decorating, but can be very expensive at times.  To avoid spending money on artwork, create your own!  This way it is less expensive and you will also add a touch of your own personality to the room.  If you have too many accents and decorations, it can lend a cluttered look to the room.  Remove some of the décor, and you will see how clean and fresh the room looks!

Whether you are looking to decorate for the summer and keep your house cool, or just want to change things up a bit without blowing your budget, you can easily accomplish both.  Just follow the simple ideas and tricks above and you are assured of great savings on decorating and energy costs.  Using bright, fun colors in a room can make the room seem so much cooler, and it’s not expensive to accomplish.  Keep these ideas in mind when you are ready to shake up your décor a bit – it can be fun, even while you’re counting the money that is staying in your bank account.

Everyone wants a beautiful home, but often the budget just won’t handle a complete makeover because of the expense involved.  You may not want a complete remodel; you may just want to give your home a fresh, updated look.   After a while, everyone gets tired of looking at the same old thing.  This article offers tips and ideas for giving your home an appealing new look without spending more than you can afford.

Paint – that one little word that most home owners despise

Perhaps the one thing that offers the biggest impact with the smallest investment of cash is painting.  Whether you are painting your walls or painting other accessories such as lampshades, accent tables or floors, paint can make a dramatic difference in the appearance of your home.

Today, paint is used for much more than just covering the walls and ceilings in some bland shade of white or off-white.  Techniques such as sponging, ragging and rag-rolling allow you to create interesting textures and patterns on your walls.  Consider stencils for lampshades and furnishings, especially if you like a cottage chic look.

Mix themes for an original look

Today, the rules have changed.  No longer do furnishings and accessories have to be a perfect match!  Mix those accessories that really hold meaning for you with those that are just simply attractive.  Don’t feel like you have to complete every detail of your re-decorating project at once; when you find something you love on sale, buy it.  Then wait for other items to go on sale and buy them as you can instead of spending a bundle feeling like you have to purchase everything at once.

Put your talents to use – or learn some new ones

You would be surprised at just what you can accomplish yourself without spending a dime.  Have some old fabric put away in a closet or attic?  Create your own kitchen curtains, table runners, and duvet covers.  These items are easy to make, even for someone who doesn’t sew.  Apply a rick rack or lace border, and you have created your own charming accents!

In the kitchen, fill a large mason jar with acorns, apples, grapes, pine cones and anything else you like for an interesting and attractive center piece.  A chipped or cracked ceramic pitcher adds old-fashioned charm when filled with herbs and wildflowers.

There are literally hundreds of things you can do to transform the look of your home without spending too much money.  Change your furniture around; take out a bookcase and replace it with a curio cabinet from another room.  When you look at your rooms, don’t just consider what is in that room – are there accents or furnishings in other rooms that can be switched out?

Shop garage sales and flea markets for items that may no longer be wanted by others; they may be treasures to you, and you can get them at a real bargain!  With a little creative thinking, you can do much to change the look of your home without breaking the bank.

Nearly every home owner knows that decorating or remodeling a kitchen is one of the most expensive projects in the home.  If you cannot afford new counter tops, floors and cabinets, how can you renovate the kitchen and give it fresh, new appeal?  We have several ideas, all of which you will find below.

Your kitchen is a place where friends and family gather to enjoy good meals, visit and discuss the day.  In fact, many families spend more time in this room than they do in the living or family room.

Give the walls a face lift

The easiest (and perhaps most affordable) thing you can do to update your kitchen and dining areas is to paint the walls.  You might consider using a bright, sunny yellow or a soft pumpkin shade to add life to the room.  Go online and learn about some of the techniques you can handle yourself to add texture to the walls, things such as ragging, rag-rolling and sponging.  The looks you can accomplish with paint today are absolutely amazing!

Consider doing the baseboards and door trim in a complementing or contrasting shade to make your walls pop.

Small accents make a big difference

Most likely, you cannot afford to put new cabinets in your kitchen.  However, there are some things you can do yourself that will give them an entirely new look!

Consider changing the hardware.  You can find cabinet door knobs and drawer pulls in all types of materials, colors and designs.  Some are elegant, some are country-themed, some are bright and colorful, and others are simple.  Decide what goes best with your decor.

For the cabinet doors, consider accenting them with a pattern if they are of a solid color or stained wood.  You can use wallpaper or paint to place a rectangle around the entire perimeter, or be creative and come up with your own unique design!

Fabrics

Years ago, many women didn’t really like to use much fabric in the kitchen and avoided window treatments, table cloths, etc.  Fabrics were hard to get cleaned, and grease stains were challenging to remove.  Now, nearly any material can be washed.

Think about making your own window hangings, table runners and dinner napkins!  This is an easy task, even for those who don’t sew.  If you can cut out a shape, you can use hemming tape around the edges to give your decorations a nice, clean border.  Consider adding lace or rick rack around the edges to add charm.

Clear your counters off and remove any gadgets or small appliances you don’t use every day.  A clean counter top makes a room look organized; too many things setting around make it look cluttered and messy.  Keep accessories to a minimum; a ceramic vase filled with flowers and a basket full of fruits and greenery are all that you need to give your kitchen a fresh, vibrant appeal.

Put these ideas to work in your kitchen, and you will find that you can see a total transformation for under $100!

Does your living room look like it came straight out of the seventies, or just have a worn-out look?  If your living room is old and tired but there is little money to spend, don’t despair!  There are lots of things you can do to spruce up the room and make it look new again without busting your budget.  This article details many easy changes you can make to bring your living room back to life again.

Freshen up the walls

The easiest thing you can do to update the look of your living room is to change the walls.  You may have the basic white or cream colored walls right now, or you may even have old paneling.  Today, faux finishes add texture to the room, and the look is easily accomplished.

To create beautiful walls, first paint them with the basic color you have chosen for the room.  This can be a sand shade, soft blue, terracotta or any shade that you choose.  Once complete, add the faux finish by using rubber stamps, a feather duster or a rag rolling technique.  You can find instructions for completing nearly any faux finish online.

Revive your furniture

Is your furniture tired and worn out?  As long as it is still structurally sound, there are a few things you can do to make it look new again.  If your sofa and love seat have wood arms or other accents, you can either refinish them or give them a coat of paint.  You may attempt to clean the fabric yourself if you like, or use slipcovers to give your furniture an entirely new appearance.  Unlike the slipcovers of years ago, today you can find slipcovers that fit well and don’t look as though you have thrown a sheet over the sofa.

Consider adding a few plush throw pillows that are boldly colored in any design that suits your decorating style.  Stripes, checks, floral and geometric patterns all work as long as you choose colors that complement the room.

Find some old treasures

Many people don’t realize the great decorating sources they have right under their nose!  Look in your basement or attic at things you have put away long ago.  Old lamps, an antique trunk, accent tables and other things you find can often be renewed by giving them a fresh coat of paint or a new lamp shade.  You may not realize it, but many paper lamp shades can be painted.  If you have old lamps with a ceramic base, paint them and perform a little stenciling magic!

To further transform your living room, take out some old accents and accessories if you have a great deal of them.  Too many accessories make a room look cluttered and messy.  Use only a few boldly colored accents to add a splash of interest to the living room.

As the old saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”  How true this is!  You can find tons of great bargains at garage sales and flea markets.  Just use your creative ideas to give them a new look.  Take an old wooden accent table and give it a fresh coat of paint and you have an interesting new piece for your living room.  Decorating on a tight budget is much easier if you just throw a little creativity and imagination into the mix.

The kitchen is perhaps the most expensive room in the house to completely remodel, but also the most important space when it comes to selling your home.  You may not be trying to sell, but still desire a freshly updated look.  Other than spending tens of thousands of dollars on a complete remodel, there are many affordable things you can do yourself to give your kitchen an entirely different look.  This article offers tips and ideas to help you create a fresh, appealing room that beckons to family as well as visitors.

Be aware that if you ever do decide to sell your home, the kitchen is often the room most closely scrutinized by buyers.  Many families spend a good deal of time in this room, and they want a room that is beautiful but relaxing as well.

Color

Color plays a vital role in the appearance and atmosphere of your kitchen.  Depending on your style preferences, you may want basic colors such as cream, tan or white to make the room look clean and bright.  For those who like a bit more splash and interest, color can be added on walls and counter tops, and also through the use of accessories.  Think colors like ocher, terracotta and blue if you desire a warm look.

Cabinetry

Cabinets are what usually add significantly to the cost of remodeling a kitchen.  If yours are still in decent shape, you might consider sanding and refinishing or even painting them a different color.  White cabinets look clean and give an airy atmosphere to the room.  Any color is fine, as long as it blends with the rest of your décor.  If you don’t want to refinish all of your cabinets, adding new drawer pulls and hardware can really change the look with a minimum of effort.

Appliances

This is another area where you can spend big bucks if you aren’t careful.  If your appliances are old and really need to be replaced, consider buying appliances that are used on the showroom floor of the store where you intend to buy.  Usually, appliances that have been used as display models can be bought for a fraction of the price of those in boxes.  If you simply cannot afford new appliances of any kind, consider painting those you have with appliance paint.

The simplest and most cost effective ways to give your kitchen a fresh new look is to paint the walls, update the floor and buy a few new accessories.  These days, you can buy flooring that is easy to install yourself.  You might also consider painting the baseboards and door trim a contrasting color to add more interest.

Keep clutter to a minimum on counter tops, it makes your kitchen look clean and organized.  Fresh herbs in terracotta pots add a nice touch, as do coordinated dish towels.  An accent rug placed in front of the sink helps keep the floor clean while adding a vibrant splash of color.  You may also want to create a centerpiece for the dining room table yourself by crafting it of dried herbs and greenery.  If your kitchen has more of a country theme, consider a wicker or rattan basket lined with gingham checked material and filled with fresh fruits.

Think outside the box, and let your imagination run wild.  There are many things that you can do to renovate your kitchen without spending too much money!

Are you one of those people who are so tight that you squeak when you walk?  Frugal is a good thing, but you may still find yourself yearning 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 dull, bland rooms into spaces that offer atmosphere and appeal!

Start with the Floors

It may sound simple, but often carpets that are soiled and floors that are badly stained take away from the beauty of your home.  If your carpets are dirty, the colors don’t shine through.  Clean them yourself, or have a professional do it for you.  Frequently, you will find that there are beautiful wooden floors underneath the carpet, especially in older homes, so pulling the carpet up may be something you want to consider.

Tile or linoleum floors in the kitchen or bathroom can accumulate grime, grease and wax.  This is easily solved, and your floors will shine like new again.  Products that contain trisodium phosphate, such as automatic dishwasher detergent, are perfect for stripping the old wax and grime.  Just mix two tablespoons with two gallons of warm water, and put some elbow grease into it!  This mixture won’t bubble, but you will need to rinse thoroughly after scrubbing.

Painting Makes Everything Better

A coat of fresh paint makes any room shine.  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 extra ‘pop’, consider painting those bland walls a dramatic color.  You can paint a single wall for a unique look.  Simply use a color from your upholstery.  You will be amazed how adding a large area of one of the primary colors to your décor will help accentuate these colors when found in small patterns scattered around the room!

If your furniture is worn out and you don’t have the money to purchase new, paint it!  Give the surfaces a light sanding, and paint the furniture any color you like.  If you like an antique or shabby chic look, sand the corners and edges lightly after painting.

Accessorize!

Accessories have the ability to pull the entire look together, or add a burst of style and color without costing a great deal of money.  To dress up your living room, consider boldly patterned throw pillows for the couch and colorful prints for the walls.  Throws not only keep you warm, they’re also great for tossing over worn spots on a sofa, or as a large focal point when hung alone on a wall.

Add a few colorful candles and some fresh flowers, and your home will feel like new again – even though you didn’t bust your budget.  Some simple cleaning, paint and a few new accessories will have you feeling good about your home’s appearance!

You flip through the magazines showcasing rich, elegant looking interiors and dream of what it would be like if only you had the money to create such awe-inspiring settings. The truth is, not many people have the money required to furnish a home so lavishly. What it takes to make a room eye catching and inviting doesn’t require much money at all – just a little of your own unique personality.

Elegance without Expense

Many people think that in order to transform the look of a room they must spend big bucks. New furniture, hangings for the walls, carpet, flooring, accents, etc. You will be glad to know that you can create a dramatic impact without spending tens of thousands of dollars. In fact, for just a few hundred you can create a look that will rival any in the dreamy homes you’ve seen in the home decorating magazines.

What you must do is put some of your own personality in to the décor. You may decorate your home according to the latest trends, or what you think others will find attractive. This is what most people do, and in the end it isn’t really the look that they want. It isn’t personal enough, it all seems a little – well, contrived. From bland colored walls to pictures that don’t really have any personal ties, and windows without any impact. It’s all just “stuff” that is there to make your home look exquisite, but it isn’t working. Besides inflicting some of your own unique ideas, what to do?

Make it Your Own

Create the atmosphere you desire with paint. Want a bold, dramatic look? Use up to 5 shades of burgundy, forest and navy. As long as your existing furniture is colored in a shade that will blend, you will be fine. Paint baseboards a darker shade, walls the lightest.

Add some rich window coverings, which you can make yourself for almost nothing, and a few wall hangings. You can create beautiful swag curtains yourself out of satin bed sheets. Flea markets are a great place to find some unusual pieces you can use for accents. Have your children do some finger painting, using colors that compliment your décor. Mat their work and you have some wonderfully colorful abstract wall hangings!

Let the Energy Flow

Want a lively, energetic and refreshing look? Use several shades of paint as in the previous description, but make these colors electric. Bright greens, peach shades and burnt orange are wonderful when mixed together. Display simple botanical groupings on the walls, a straw colored woven rug for the floor.

Keep your furniture light – no bulky or over-sized furniture. If you already have light colored furniture that is basic in design, this look will work perfectly. When it comes to the windows, you can use wooden shutters, or create your own curtains using a sheer material. Concentrate on a look that appeals to you, and imagine the possibilities.

With any look, contrast makes things much more interesting. It used to be a no-no to mix floral patterns with stripes and plaids. Now, it’s the thing to do! As long as you stay within your color boundaries, mixing things up adds a “wow” factor that cannot be ignored. Want to create a one-of-a-kind look on a shoestring budget? Just use some imagination, and mix it with a little of your own unique personality.