How to Decorate without Breaking the Bank!

Five Simple Steps to Decorate Your Space

without Breaking the Bank:
Colleen A. Lora, C.I.D.

We all know about the economic conditions these days, but that doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style. I'm always asked, "How can I make my space look new without spending a lot of money." Read on:

• Color: Here is where you get the most bang for the buck. Think beyond beige, explore the science of color and re-visit the color wheel. How do you want to feel in the space? Do you want a serene bedroom? Do you want to bring the outdoors in? Having a baby? There is a whole psychology to color selection and mood is created easily with a gallon of paint. If you are afraid of making a mistake, contact a decorator for a color consultation.
  


• Area Rugs: So many people have beige wall-to-wall carpet. Just by laying a colorful area rug down you anchor the whole space and bring some art to the floor level. For further punch, bring in coordinating pillows or a throw to tie it together.
  


• Window Treatments: If you don’t have window treatments or are living with blinds only it’s like getting dressed up and going out without your earrings – it just looks unfinished. Drapery panels bring the eye up and bring color to areas often overlooked. If you like to change your designs with the season, invest in reversible drapery panels. Just by flipping them around you can create an entire new look.
  


• Space planning: Most people live with the same furniture arrangement for years. If you can’t imagine it any other way – bring in a decorator to help you draw up some floor plan options. There are also some free room planning tools available on the internet. You can achieve a whole new look by new furniture placement or by bringing pieces from another part of your house into a new room.
  


• Think Multi-Function: If you need a coffee table, look for a storage trunk or ottoman and get two uses in one. If you don’t want to spend a fortune on artwork, get some beautiful fabric remnants or gift wrap and wrap artists canvas, attach with staples and hang on the wall. Did you recently invest in a flat screen TV? Don’t feel compelled to buy that entertainment unit – you can use a chest of drawers or a sofa table under the flat screen to house the other electrical components in a more stylish way.
  
  If you liked the information provided and want more decorating advice please contact Colleen A. Lora, award-winning decorator with Décor & You at clora@decorandyou.com or call her at 614-855-1700. Décor & You was voted “Best Interior Design Firm” by Columbus CEO Magazine for 2008-2009.