Budget Home Décorating: Do it with Decoupage

You don't have to be an artist, you don't have to know how to draw or paint, and you don't have to have any special art equipment or expensive supplies. You can transform what you have, or whatever you can get a hold of, with really cheap, easy to find items and crank up the wow factor.

In home décor, it's the details that make the difference. Why settle for something practical yet ugly just because you can't afford to replace it, when you can transform that very item into something unique and beautiful?

What Exactly Is Decoupage?

In a nutshell, decoupage is to cut out pretty images, apply them to a surface with some clear-drying glue, and brush glue over the image to seal it.

What Can I Decoupage?

You can transform boxes for storage, glass jars for candle holders, furniture, trays, picture frames, scrap boards, scrap cardboard (make your own wall art!), shelves, doors, walls, lamps, lamp shades, switch plates, photo albums- I think you get the picture.

What Do I Need to Decoupage

1) Something to actually decoupage. Grab things around your house you want to spruce up. Look-out at thrift shops, yard sales and dollar stores to find things literally for pocket change.

2) Images. Search old magazines, children's books, photo copies of anything (photographs, greeting cards, post cards, etc.) or any images printed from the internet using a laser printer (ink jet ink bleeds).

3) Scissors. Craft knives come in handy, too.

4) Adhesive. Some people spring for expensive decoupage mediums. I just stock up on clear-drying white craft glue and glue gel during back-to-school sales for about 25 cents per bottle.

5) Applicator: a cheap paint brush or sponge brush.

6) Misc: rulers, pencils, markers, non-yellowing varnish or sealer.

7) Optional-- Paint, if you want to give a nice, clean surface for your decoupage, or add embellishments. I reclaim leftover latex house paint at the dump for free.

How to Decoupage

1) Prepare your item. Clean it and/or give it a fresh coat of a base paint. Images show up better on lighter, neutral colors.

2) Collect and cut out your images. Trim as neatly as possible. If you have only one copy, photocopy it and print color copies so if you mess up you won't lose the image forever.

3) Arrange your images on your item to get a sense of where you want them to go. Use a ruler and pencil to center or lightly mark the placement.

4) Spread glue on the back of the image. Lay the image down and press it flat. Work from the center out to the edges to remove air bubble or wrinkles.

5) Brush more glue over the image, going off the edge. You can cover the entire item, if you like. The glue "seals" the item.

6) Let your object dry.

Optional Step:

7) Varnish or spray on a clear acrylic sealer. I don't find this necessary for objects that aren't handled much. If something is going to sit undisturbed on a shelf, it will be fine. Dust it regularly so it doesn't get dingy. But if I'm decoupaging something I'll handle, like a serving tray, end table top or light switch cover, I will use a sealer to protect it from fingerprints or moisture.

• Consider the Possibilities
• Convert your painted old switch plates into designer switch plates for free.
• Short on cash for the holidays? Get a box of mason jars and make your family and friends custom decoupaged candle holder jars-- cheap gift ideas!
  
• Give the front of your old cabinets a makeover with paint and decoupage to tie in your kitchen decorating theme-- cheap decorating options!
  
• Frame your decoupage for custom wall hangings.
• Paint an old wood chair or toy box for your tot and decoupage it with their favorite characters.
• Are you in the habit of using old cigar boxes and shoe boxes for storage? Beautify them with decoupage.