8 Thrifty Home Decorating Ideas

Even when money is tight, you can still decorate your home. Just be sure to shop for supplies in unconventional places like second hand stores, dollar stores, garage sales or thrift stores. Even retail stores hold great bargains if you know where to look. Here are 8 thrifty home decorating ideas that work for every room in your home.

Window Dressing ($2)

Visit second hand stores and hunt for chic scarves and shawls, typically priced for around $2. Sheer scarves are especially beautiful for dressing up your windows. Just festoon each shawl or scarf over your window using tacks and you'll have an instant window valance.

Paint ($5)

Instead of paying $25 for a new can of paint, ask to see the returned paint rack at your local home improvement store or paint store. For $5 you can get a one gallon can of paint that someone else didn't like. The paint color will be marked on the lid, so you can decide if the color works for you.

Decorative Pillows ($8)

Visit a local thrift store to hunt for affordable decorative pillows. Mix and match different styles to add pizzazz to your room. Thrift store decorative pillows can be as cheap as $2 a piece, and sets of pillows typically offer even better values.

Pretty Things ($5)

Visit a dollar store to find beautiful decorative knick-knacks that cost next to thing. You'll likely find decorative figurines, beautiful candle holders, wicker fans that you can hang on the wall, garden hats that look delightful on coat pegs, and other whimsical items that can decorate a room with style.

Stylish Furniture ($10)

Visit garage sales to hunt for beat up furniture. From old rocking chairs to chests or tables, you can fix old furniture by gluing or nailing wobbling pieces. Then paint the pieces with any old paint cans you have in your garage or with leftover paint from your wall makeover.

Fabric Art ($8)

You can find coupons to fabric stores online. Print them and buy a beautiful strip of fabric at your local store. Next build a square frame from 2x4 lumber. Stretch the fabric over the frame and staple it on the back. Make several fabric creations to decorate your room in matching art.

Slipcovers ($14 to $24)

Cover your old, torn or faded upholstery with slipcovers. You'll find great slipcover bargains in outlet stores. I found a set of matching slipcovers priced at 90% off in an online outlet. An armchair slipcover cost $14, a loveseat $20 and a sofa $24.

Light Fixture ($5)

Instead of paying $50 or more for a new light fixture, buy a colorful Chinese paper lantern for $5. Be sure to use a low voltage light bulb to protect the paper lantern from singeing. White paper lanterns will increase the illumination in the room; reds and purples will add an exotic ambiance.

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