How to Decorate on a Budget and My Example of a Zen Bedroom

Decorating on a budget isn't an easy task. It requires you to use what is available to you as well as finding those bargain deals. There are essentially four useful ways to keep the cost of your decorating down. The first of these four ways is to incorporate something you found into your room. This is something that was either already in your home, previous room, in your sisters junk box, or wherever. It just finds it's way to you and it needs no fixing. The next way is to make something for your room. Put your own two hands to work for you. Then you take something that needs just a little work and you reuse it. Our last thing is your bargain item. This is something that you found an amazing deal on either at the flea market, the thrift store, online, at a garage sale, etc.

The next item on the checklist of successful budget decorating is to decide what condition our current room is in. What are the necessary items that need updated. A few questions to consider are: does the room need painted, new carpet or flooring, windows, appliances, furniture, lighting or wiring. These items need prioritized and the decision of what will stay and what will be redone is made. This is also where you determine your budget so you know how much can be spent on the décor.

While you are looking for your essential four items and prioritizing your list you should be thinking about what style your decorating your room in. Are you following a theme, or are you modernizing, maybe you are going for that zen feeling. Your style solely determines nearly every aspect of your room, including the mood or feeling, the organization, color, accessories, furniture, and characteristics of your room. As you can see, the style is very important. It can be determined by a number of things. You may already know what style you are going for. It may be inspired by one of your essential four items, or you could be searching and searching through idea books, trying to find your perfect fit. Whatever the case may be, your next moves cannot be made until you decide upon your style.

Alright, now that you have your style, your essential four items and you know what your updating and what your making due in your current room, the fun can begin. The following is an example of a zen style bedroom. This will give you a feel of how to fulfill your own project.

The style for this room as mentioned is a zen style. This means the room is free of clutter, it needs to feel peaceful, clean, and serene. The room to be re-decorated is a bedroom, and the style was inspired by the found item. It was determined that the windows, blinds, lighting and carpet were in good shape. The painting and closet needed redone. Here is a breakdown of the room:

Essential Items:

Found :a bamboo plant that needed to be removed from the kitchen because it was getting too large was placed on top of the headboard in front of the window.

Made: the headboard, which was made out of a wooden table runner, and a headboard I purchased at a thrift store. Total Cost:$94.25

Bargain: the headboard from the thrift store. Total Cost: $50.00

Reused: the dresser and night stands that had been in the previous bedroom. They needed sanded and stained. Total Cost: $5.38

I also used the old bed frame I had, just replacing the headboard. I chose not to use a foot board because it opened the room up without it.

Items I purchased included: paint, lamps, comforter, throw pillows, rug, and drapes. Every room needs a center piece and for this room, I chose to make it a divider that was placed in front of the closet to double as a changing area, since it was not a walk in closet, as well as doors to hide the clothing. The total cost to decorate this room was $444.63. In the beginning I had set my budget at $500, so I am happy to say I stayed within my budget. The room was a success! Now, with these tips and the example you can begin your own redecorating project.