Jul 26 2009
Bedroom Makeover on a Shoestring
Making a change to your bedroom doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It doesn’t matter if your working on a complete makeover or just adding a couple of accessories; a little creative thinking will make all the difference.
This is what you’ll need to get start:
Buy a few accessory pillows for $10 each (or less) in a new color palette. Take pillows of similar color, mix up the textures –like silk and chenille – and you’ve instantly go yourself a sophisticated monochromatic look. You can get a romantic feel by creating a layer of pillows with larger pillows in the back and smaller ones in the front.
A fresh coat of paint can make a huge difference in the look of room and its fairly inexpensive to do. Think repainting the entire room is too big of project? Then break it down by focusing and painting only one wall and experimenting with a single area of the room.
Older more detailed closet doors can be spruced up by painting the frame in a neutral color and the inset in a dark color. Painting furniture is also a great way to give the room new life. Give an old dresser a faux antique finish or sponge paint a cabinet.
A new headboard can be rather expensive. Want to try something bold and different? Pick up a picket fence or ornate wrought iron fence at your local flea market. Bed skirts make most beds look soft and sophisticated and are an inexpensive decorating investment. They’re available in several color, textures and patterns. Soft and neutral colors give you the best of both versatility and beauty. It should not be the focal point of your bed but simply the perfect finishing touch.
Treating your windows is much easier than you would think. A swag at the top of the window is inexpensive (depending on your fabric choice) and not too dramatic. It’s the perfect way to add a famine touch to the room. You can place bicycle or plants in the ceiling. Or opt for just a blind and an inexpensive garland or floral accent at the top of the window. Another look we love is a simple curtain rod with some trendy finials and simple ready made drapes. Ikea, Kmart, Target, JCPenney and Pottery Barn carry a large selection of all of these items.
Do you have a canopy or four-poster bed in need of a new look? Adorn the poles with fabric to achieve that *pond* affect, where the fabric appears to create a *pond* at the base. Getting this effect is easy, all you need is to add about an extra 20 inches before it’s cut. Don’t’ forget the perfect decorative item, candles. While most people go with white candles, since they’re the most sophisticated, consider clustering colored candles to create a focal point on a night stand or dresser. Group your candles in batches of 3, 5 or 9 – avoid even numbers since they tend to be boring. Try using a variety of different candle heights and gather them on a wall shelf.
Framed posters, artwork and mirrors are an easy and inexpensive way to give a room an new look, but make sure your choices complement your current décor. Keep it simple with a neutral colored frame – black, gold, brown or white. Placing shelves is a quick way to liven things up. Collections are perfect for displaying on a wall shelf, but try to stay away from small items. Placing a lot of tiny accessories will leave the shelf looking cramped and cluttered. You can experiment with a grouping of vases with flowers or use the self to hold up a framed poster or painting.
Steve Balman has been in the furniture and home decorating business for almost 20 years. He writes for a popular furniture store in Los Angeles. They offer American made Arts & Crafts and Mission style bedroom, living room, dining and office oak furniture for your home or office. They offer a line of furniture that not only looks great, but is built using Old World craftsmanship. It doesn’t matter if your looking for handmade mission beds or solid wood night stands, they carry only the best in American made quality furniture at everyday affordable prices.