Luxury Decorating for Less

Decorating is a not-so-secret passion of mine. I adore the rush I get when I pair two completely opposite pieces of décor together and they manage to live harmoniously and peacefully in one room for years to come. Over the years, I've been to a few informal interior decorating seminars and read countless books on the art of decorating a home. I put the knowledge gained from those experiences and put them towards creating inexpensive rooms that look luxurious and pricey. Contrary to common belief, luxury is best served in small doses.

Less is More

When going for a luxurious look you need to live by the mantra, "Less is more." If you've ever walked into Ethan Allen or a hip NYC boutique, you will have noticed that their décor is minimalistic and is served in small doses. The only things that are necessary in creating a luxurious space are the essential furniture pieces, a vase of flowers, at least one large mirror, flowers, window treatments and paint. Muted wall colors are considered to be ideal because they allow for the accessories and statement furniture pieces in the room to take center stage.

Reupholstering

When decorating on a budget, splurging on furniture sometimes is a luxury that you just can't afford. If all you've got to work with is an old, dingy and beat up couch, it will work just fine. All you need is some fabric, batting, scissors and a staple gun to reupholster your couch. I absolutely love this informative step by step tutorial on DIY upholstery: Pie Knits Reupholstering Project - Remember that couches in bright, bold prints are back in style so pick a fabric that will transform the couch into a conversation piece.

Thrift Shopping

Don't have much furniture to reupholster? That's quite okay. This is common amongst first time home buyers and first time renters. Learn to love thrift stores and yard sales. They will be your biggest aide in finding affordable and sturdy pieces of furniture. Don't mind the aesthetics when choosing furniture; you're going to reupholster them anyways. The most important thing to look for when shopping for used furniture is good bones. You want sturdy pieces that won't break easily and will last you quite a while. Sit on the furniture if possible to see if it will easily hold weight. It may take several shopping trips to find usable furniture, but the money you save will be worth it in the end.