Budget Decorating
(featured column)
Freshen Your Rooms for Spring: Quick and Cheap Decorating
Ideas
by Kathleen
Wilson
Now that spring has finally arrived, I know many
of us are looking for ways to freshen, brighten, and update all the rooms in our
home without breaking the bank. So here are some great quick tips and projects
for you to use throughout your home, perfect to bring in that charming touch of
the warmer months, while keeping your personal touch! More...
1. Let in that light! Not only does this include
taking down the heavy drapes, but also make an effort to keep your windows and
reflective surfaces in your home (TV screens, mirrors, appliances.) shiny and
clean. You would be surprised at how much light is let in and reflected, and how
much that can brighten your interior. By the way, one caveat for removing your
heavy window coverings. If you have a south facing window and live in a hot
climate, you may want to consider leaving that window covered well. It will save
you cooling bills in the summer to block out that southern sun!
2. Put away your fleece throws and blankets for the season, and create throw
pillow covers in lighter brighter colors and patterns. Very cost effective way
to update the seasons! Try purchasing flat sheets at spring white sales as
fabric for a cost effective way to coordinate the room!
3. Save clear glass jars and bottles, then gather them in groups of 5 or 7 on
windowsills, countertops, or shelving. Place one flower in each bottle, roadside
daisies work fine! Think of using this not just in the kitchen, but in the bed
or bath, or even on your front porch!
4. Make a spring wreath to hang on your front
door. Nothing adds such a welcoming touch to your home. It can be as easy as
picking up a straw or grapevine wreath for a couple bucks at your local craft
shop, then attach a pretty bow or wrap with a ribbon. You can stop right there
for a simple look, or add silk flowers, nature items, or even a small hand painted
wood plaque with your family name. Give your wreath a theme, such as seashore,
cabin, or summer fun. (How about dollar store sand shovels or gardening tools?)
A little wire and a glue gun go a long way. Don't forget to look at thrift shops
and garage sales for old silk flower arrangements that can be recycled. Those
removable plastic hooks from 3M are a great way to attach them to your door
while still being able to safely remove them later.
5. Buy six packs of inexpensive shade annuals such as pansies, fuchsias, and
impatiens, then pot up and set in a sunny window inside for some great, cheap
color and life in your rooms! Three or five lined up across a windowsill make a
great statement! Don't place these plants in a south facing window, they will
burn!
6. Seek scrap wood you can paint with rustic
sayings. This is so easy to do since the idea is to look rustic and hand painted,
yet boutiques are charging big bucks for something you could make for free!
These can be used inside or out, any size, hung on the wall or leaned in front
of your unused firebox, and personalized to your own family and beliefs. You can
get some great quotes off the internet, from Proverbs, or even from looking
through those spring home accessories catalogs. Some of my favorites are
"Bloom Where You Are Planted," "Count Your Garden By the Flowers,
Never By the
Leaves That Fall," "Love, Laugh, Live"... ok, I could be here all
day!
7. Clear away the clutter. You really want to do your spring cleaning to truly
appreciate the bright, cheery feel of the season. Find ways to hide clutter if
you don't have enough storage. Make floor length table covers and store things
underneath, use open top cardboard boxes to store items that can be slid under
the beds and pulled out when you need to access the items, use hooks inside
cupboard doors and on the laundry room walls to give you places to hide all
those utility items.
8. Press a few flowers between paper in a book for a week or two, then place
them artfully in a dollar store frame as a terrific spring accent. Pansies are
great for this, hold their color well, and dry quickly. Press a few leaves to
use within your display. The thicker the leaf or flower, the harder and longer
it will take to dry. If you don't want to remove your present wall art, just
lean
these floral accents on your mantel, on shelves, or even on your kitchen counter
against your backsplash! Once again, for the best statements, use them in groups
of odd numbers.
Hopefully, this will get you all started to bringing a bright comfort to your
Spring home, especially useful on those Spring days when it seems winter has
returned and you need that hope that the sun will return! Remember, it's not
about what you can afford, but putting your heart and your creativity into
making a comfortable, secure retreat for your family and friends. (And
yourself!)
* * *
Copyright © 2004 by Kathleen
Wilson. All rights reserved.
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