Liven Up a Dull Room with These 11 Economical Tips

A few simple changes can feel like you are living in a new environment and is cheaper than moving.

Are you bored with your current décor? Would you like to liven up your living space without spending a lot of money? Changing your surroundings can change your attitude drastically.

These changes are inexpensive and materials can be found easily at any discount store such as Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, General Dollar or Family Dollar stores.

Before you start spend a weekend or two going to yard sales and garage sales to try and find even better deals on the following materials you'll need. The best deals can be found at estate sales and moving sales.

If you find something you really like but it's out of your budget, make an offer. If the seller isn't willing to take your offer, come back later in the day when they are sick of having their sale and just want it gone.

You can also leave your cell number in case they can't sell the item and are willing to consider taking your offer later.

Also check out Craigslist and Freecycle. Sometimes you can find some really great things through them.

Remember to always make an offer on any listed price. Sometimes people are asking more than they are expecting to get anyway. Yard sales, garage sales and Craigslist sales are always open for negotiations.

1) Start with completely re-arranging everything in the room. Try things in different areas and toss, donate or yard sale stuff that just isn't working for you anymore.

2) Get new window dressings, whether you have curtains or blinds- start fresh with new. Approximated cost- hard to determine. It depends on how many windows you are dealing with and what your dressings will be. Homemade curtains can easily be made and there are plenty of 'how to' articles on the internet to help you with that, sometimes for only a few dollars per window.

3) Throw pillows. You can use different colors of the same pattern or different patterns of the same color. You could buy 3 large and 6 small ones to make you couch look bigger and fluffier. Approximated cost- $5 to $7 per pillow.

4) Fleece blankets. Throw them over the back of your couch or drape it over a chair (along with a throw pillow for a nice look). Approximated cost- $7 to $10 per blanket.

5) Change all the pictures on your walls. Buy new frames and mats in different sizes, textures and colors. Take your ordinary photographs of spontaneous moments in your life to a photo processing place- like CVS, Walgreens or any other discount department store and convert them to black and white. Arrange them on one wall in no particular order but close together. Approximated cost- $5- $15 per picture.

6) Get rid of that big coffee table and replace it with two plain end tables. Put a candy dish, a plant, or an arrangement of candles on each table. Approximated cost- $5 -$10 each for the tables, $3-$10 for candy dish, plant and/or candles.

7) Instead of a large area rug, use 4-6 smaller rugs and arrange in a pattern of different colors or different shades of the same color. Approximated cost $3-$5 per rug.

8) If you have a green thumb, buy a floor plant. If you are like me and need something to tell it to feed or water it to keep it alive, buy an artificial one. It will add life a corner. Approximate cost- $10-$20

9) Paint one wall a shade or two darker than the rest of the room. This works best for the biggest wall, usually behind the couch. Approximate cost- $10

10) Buy a new wall clock or mirror. A different clock or mirror can make such a difference in a room.

11) Change the lighting in the room. Buy new lamps or refinish your old ones with a new shade and a little paint. Approximate cost- $5-$10. If it's over head lighting, buy a new cover. Approximate cost $10-$15.

Remember it's possible that the costs could be a little lower or higher depending on what you choose to do. Either way, it's an easy way to brighten up not only a room but your attitude in general. When you walk into a fresh room, you'll feel better. Knowing you didn't have to spend a ton of money for it feels even better.