Is your home ready for a makeover? Maybe you're getting ready to
sell it, or perhaps you're just tired of the same old look.
Either way, there are plenty of things you can do to perk up
your interior without spending tons of money. Here are some of
the easy and inexpensive ways you can change your household
environment.
1. Change the wall coverings. If you have painted walls, put up
wallpaper. If you're bored with wallpaper, try a stencil design.
As long as you can follow directions and make an effort to be
neat, you may be able to handle this type of redecorating on
your own, without the expense of hiring someone to do the work
for you.
2. Hang new draperies. Pleated, floor-length drapes have
largely become a thing of the past for those who are looking for
more modern ways to decorate their windows. Try vertical blinds,
valances, or tieback curtains to open up the room and give it
new life. Experiment with new color combinations or patterns
that will coordinate with your furniture for an entirely
different look.
3. Install some shelves. Imagine a pretty wooden shelf,
varnished to any texture or shade, sitting above your kitchen
table. Or consider putting up a corner shelf in the family room
for trophies or knick-knacks. A shelf above the fireplace,
serving as a mantel if you don't already have one, adds a warm
display area for family photos or mementos. You can make all the
new shelves match, or coordinate them with the wood trim in each
room where they will be added.
4. Add different lighting. How would track lighting look in
your office? Enhance your dining room with a chandelier. Install
soft lights in the living room, or put in floor lamps where
rooms are dark and need to be brightened. A wall sconce with
candleholder makes for a historic or romantic atmosphere. New
lamp fixtures can make a dull room livelier.
5. Shop for accent pieces. You may want to add a wallpaper
border to a painted room, or wood paneling (or wainscoting) to a
home office or dining area. Hang French doors at your patio
entry. Replace old, large wall paintings with smaller, fresher
prints. Change artificial plants for real planters, and try some
decorating tricks with handmade crafts, candles, or flowers.
If you are unable to do some of the handiwork, contact the
local chamber of commerce to see if there is an association of
retired workers who will do the work more cheaply than a regular
company, as is sometimes the case. Or buy the supplies when they
go on sale and have a garage sale with your old items to make
money for the new ones. Home remodeling doesn't have to include
putting on a new roof or knocking out walls. For just a few
dollars here and there, you can substantially change the way
your home looks and feels by getting a few affordable odd jobs
done or buying artsy things on sale.
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