Decorating Your New Home on a Budget

Decorating your new home attractively on a limited budget is a challenging task. There are many things you can do to transform your home into a haven without adding thousands of dollars to your mortgage. You will feel a major sense of accomplishment upon completion of this rewarding project. Plus, you will acquire some valuable skills along the way.

There are numerous places to obtain home decorating ideas. Browse websites, look through home decorating magazines, attend home decorating shows and/or borrow decorating books from your local library for starters. As you research make a list of items you want to incorporate into the décor of each room. Include items such as furniture, accessories, color schemes and themes in your notes. Then, prioritize the list -- determine what needs to be accomplished now and what can be finalized at a later date. Decorate the areas where you and your family spend the most time first. Major traffic areas can also be decorated in stages as your budget allows.

Adding a fresh coat of paint to the walls and/or ceiling will give the room a new look. Keep in mind that color reflects mood. It will be the backdrop for the theme you are creating. You could paint one wall a different color and do some ragging or sponge painting to make each room truly unique. Make sure that your paint choices complement each other if you choose one of these options.

Some color can be incorporated into your décor without painting. This added color is achieved through the accessories you place in each room. This includes items such as throw pillows, area rugs, plants, personal collections, candles, lamps, photos, mirrors and artwork. The combination of these objects pulls the room together and gives it character. It is ideal to keep knick-knacks to a minimum in each room for a less cluttered look.

If you have any sewing abilities they can be put to use as you decorate your home. Consider sewing your own tablecloths, curtains or valances, pillow tops, bed skirts and slipcovers for a fraction of the cost of buying ready made items. Always check the remnant bin at your local fabric store to see what selections they offer. They should also have a number of patterns to help you with your sewing projects.

As a plausible alternative to buying new furniture (and accessories) consider purchasing some used furnishings . Several places to look for used items include Goodwill, Salvation Army, free cycle, rummage sales, auction sales and the classifieds in the newspaper. It is acceptable to mix and match your furnishings to create an eclectic look. While you may be able to make some minor repairs -- thoroughly examine each used item before you buy it.

Good luck transforming your new house into a home!