How to Redecorate for Less

Redecorating can be fun and costly. There are ways to redecorate that are relatively inexpensive, and don't take the fun out of it.

If you don't like the frames your art/pictures are currently displayed in, do not buy new frames just yet. If you just want a different color or design, try painting the frames. Small bottles of acrylic paint and brushes from the craft store can cost much less than new frames. I was able to find paint and brushes at my local dollar store, so for $2 I have "new" black picture frames. If I were to replace my existing frames, it could have cost me at least $25.

Art and/or frames can also be found at second hand stores. If you're willing to visit a few of these stores and take the time to look, you may find a piece of framed art for cheap. You could display it in your home as-is or use the frame for something you already have. Knickknacks can also be found at these stores, as well as stores like Ross or Tuesday Morning that specialize in selling department store "leftovers".

Painting doesn't have to be an expensive adventure either. Sometimes a paint store will mix an order wrong, or the order will simply come out differently than the customer expected. These stores have to do something with this paint once it's mixed - they don't want it sitting in their store forever, so they will often be willing to sell "irregulars" at a discount.

If you want to add color to a room, you don't necessarily have to re-do the entire room. Start with a few new throw pillows and a blanket for your couch, or a new rug. These items can be found at discount stores, and it is definitely cheaper to try something like this rather than all new furniture.

When you just don't like the look of your furniture anymore, but it is in good shape and still comfortable to sit in, consider giving the furniture a facelift. Refinishing wood is much less costly than buying a new coffee table. Don't dismiss the idea of slipcovers either. They have come a long way since they were first introduced. Many look stylish and not at all tacky, and some discount stores carry them. Best of all, if you try a slipcover and don't like it, you're only stuck with fabric that could be turned into something else. That beats the alternative of being stuck with a new couch you don't like as much as you did in the store.

Repurposing items can change things up as well. Maybe there's a chair in a guest bedroom that would complete the look you're creating in the living room. Or maybe there's a beat up old table in your garage that can be cleared off, refinished, and used as an entry table. Repurposing items can change the look of a room with little, if any, cost. Basically, consider using things in a different way. A basic utility cart that you're currently using for your laptop could be a great place to put your microwave on. Then you could turn your attentions to finding a more suitable desk.

Lighting can also make a big difference in a room. You don't necessarily have to buy new fixtures. Sprucing up what you already have, with a new lampshade or a new finish, can have impact. Different light bulbs can make a difference too. Instead of standard, try the energy efficient halogen bulbs (which cost more than standard, but last longer and use less electricity). Different types of bulbs give off different light, which can change how a room looks.