How to Spruce Up Your Bedroom on Pennies

You know how it goes. You wake up and look around you and all you can think is "I've got to do SOMETHING to make this room look less like a World War II bunker." You spend So much time there, and yet most people get stuck in a rut when it comes to having a dreamy bedroom. If your budget is the stumbling block, here is a list of some low cost adornments that may provide all the sprucing up you need.

First, review the paint color. Hopefully, you've got one that isn't white or flesh colored. You want something soft and peaceful. No bright colors either and lose the flashing lights while you're st it.. If you've got a color that's decent, just paint one wall. If you're in possession of a long handle, like a broom, go ahead and paint the ceiling that alternate color too. It'll make the new color appear to wrap around the room. I chose a light blue and even left some areas with only a very light coat so there appear to be clouds floating by.

Next, got lamps? Change the shades. A visit to the local re-sale shop or Salvation Army may offer you the chance to pick up some inexpensive shades. They don't need to match, if you've got two lamps. Actually, I'd suggest that they don't. Go ahead and replace the bulbs,too, with pink ones.

If there's a ceiling fixture, take a good look at it. If it resembles one from a police questioning room or your grade school, it's time for a change. You can get them at places like Home Depot and Lowe's for as little as $20.00

What's on your windows. Get rid of those white pop-up shades. They look like pop...with an extra "o" in the middle. They last about four days before one end unravels from the stem post anyway. Replace them with either a straw shade that pulls up....think safari. Or just go the inexpensive route once again and grab some flowing opaque or sheer curtains, in a rich color. I like ones that go from either above the window level, or a foot higher, all the way to the floor. Tres elegant.

Swap out what's on the wall for either a cool mirror, framed picture, or if you feel bold, paint a picture of mirror right on the wall. I like the idea of picking up the cheapest mirror I can find and then painting a frame for it directly onto the wall.

Finally, need a small rug? Don't think room size. Think small. Perhaps in front of the bed. Something you can easily pick up and shake outside. Dirt, after all, is the biggest stumbling block to romance.

And then step back and see what you've done? Does it still need more? Grab a discounted standing plant and put it in one corner. Or screw a hanging hook into the ceiling, in front of the window, and hang a full plant like a fern.

Then fall back on your bed, gaze around, and slowly say , "AHHHHHHHHHHHH".