The $20 Makeover
Cheap Home Makeover
Think you can’t afford to redecorate? The truth is that you can do much with just a few dollars if you know what to buy.
The first step in changing the look of a room is to move furniture around. Rearrange the position of just a few major pieces and the whole feeling of the area will change. For more impact, move the rugs too: place them diagonally rather than straight, or move them to the center of the room rather than letting them linger under the sofa.
Next, replace one major element with something of a completely different color. You don’t need to spend any money on this at all. For example, you could try switching the bedroom curtains with the living room ones, thus transforming the windows in two rooms. Or place a throw or blanket over the sofa to change the look.
Buy an old calendar and a few frames at the Dollar Store and create an art corner. Rather than hanging pictures all over the place, create a grouping over the sofa or the side table. Choose a good arrangement (create a square or a diagonal line) for even more impact.
Buy flowers. Nothing makes a room brighter than fresh flowers. Get a large vase at the Dollar store or use a jar. Stick to the cheaper, wild flowers, rather than spending money on roses.
Get some candles. Tea lights offer the most impact for the least money, since you can create groupings of three or four in different corners. You can also replace one of the light bulbs with a colored one. Red insinuates passion or a club-like atmosphere, but it can also be very soothing if you use it in the right room and at the right time.
