Home Decor Ideas - The Six Basics for Budget Decorating

Express your personal style! Decorating your home allows you to have fun and be creative. Keep the following six basics in mind as you approach your project, and remember that with a little imagination, you can realize your dreams.

1. Paint. This is always the least expensive way to change the look of any room, and often you can do the job yourself. Go neutral and light, or bright and bold. Think about the look that you want to achieve. Look at magazines and advertising brochures to get some great ideas.
2. Slipcovers. You can find custom or ready made slipcovers to cover worn furniture. As long as the furniture has good structure, slip covers can make a blah room look like new.
3. Fabrics. For maximum impact, use colorful fabrics to brighten a room. Contrasting or matching throw pillows, table covers, or linens can make a major difference in an otherwise lackluster room. Check your closets for items you may already have; flea markets, and fabric stores often have great finds, too. You can also make a splash with area rugs that complement your setting. I like Rugs Express because they offer free shipping, and have low prices for nice quality area rugs.
   
4. Artwork. You may have artwork that you haven't thought of using. A grouping of architectural shots from your last vacation can make an interesting accent to a room. Take a look at ArtprintCollection.com , they offer high quality canvas-textured art prints. BestArt.com also offers framed art at great prices.
5. Collectibles. Do you have a collection that is stored in an attic or closet. Make use of collectibles such as art glass, pottery in bright and complementary shades and shapes, or vintage quilts, for example. You can find contemporary pieces in retail stores, or other decorative touches that are not expensive at flea markets and antique fairs. Use collectibles that you like - whether they are seashells and stones, or fancy Limoges porcelain collectibles.
   
6. Windows. There are so many beautiful window treatments available online or at retail stores. When you change the window covering, you change the amount of light that is available in a room, changing the mood of the room. Do you want a bright and airy room, or something more subdued? You can make big changes to the mood and feeling of a room just by changing the window treatments.

Stick with the basics, and watch your rooms take on a new peersonality - one that expresses who you are, and your personal style.