For those of you who have no building or finishing experience who think tackling a job like wainscoting is too tough, there is an alternative. It is relatively inexpensive, and if done correctly, will look just as amazing.
Believe it or not, I'm talking about wallpaper. If you think wallpaper is outdated and not done anymore, I think you should check out a few D.I.Y. shows. Canada's Handyman, with host Mike Holmes, had an episode geared around this exact subject. Also, the show Rental Income and Money Hunters utilize wallpaper to give rooms that wow factor a simple paint job can't. Adding wallpaper is a quick, simple and inexpensive way to change the look and ambiance of a room.
An easy alternative to wainscoting, wallpaper applied to the bottom third of the wall lends the room the same 'old world charm' at a fraction of the cost and time. Simply add a chair rail/piece of trim the length of the room, and voila, you're done.
Use a simple pattern when doing this project as a busy or loud pattern will detract from the overall look of the finished product. Plain, simple, or understated is the way to go to get the best results from your efforts.
Monday, March 19, 2012
Monday, February 21, 2011
Decorating on a Budget
Not everyone can afford to take on a decorating project, renovation, or redecorating project due to time constraints, knowledge and budget. It takes money to be able to get your rooms the way you want them, and sometimes a quick fix or face lift won't do it. However, there are several ways around this.
One way is to save up your money so that you have a budget for renovations. Another way is to recycle products and materials that you already have on hand. But before you start, you need to know how, and what to do.
There are all kinds of magazines that have a ton of ideas, but a lot of these magazines lack directions and materials necessary for your decorating project. Stores like Rona and Home Depot have a great selection of books that cover a wide variety of projects from bathrooms and bedrooms to landscaping and decks.
Another great place to find interior decorating magazines is your local thrift store. This is also the perfect store to find bargains! You never know what you might find.
One way is to save up your money so that you have a budget for renovations. Another way is to recycle products and materials that you already have on hand. But before you start, you need to know how, and what to do.
There are all kinds of magazines that have a ton of ideas, but a lot of these magazines lack directions and materials necessary for your decorating project. Stores like Rona and Home Depot have a great selection of books that cover a wide variety of projects from bathrooms and bedrooms to landscaping and decks.
Another great place to find interior decorating magazines is your local thrift store. This is also the perfect store to find bargains! You never know what you might find.
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
How to Decorate a Teenager’s Room When You Have Budget Constraints
If you are the parent of a teenager, sooner or later the subject of redecorating what has been a child’s room will come up.
A teenager’s room is different from a child’s room in that it should be treated more like an adult space. But, it should have a slightly fun flair to it also. It is best if you involve your teenager in coming up with a theme that will help to express who they are (and not what you want).
Also, when redecorating your teen’s room, let them choose the colors, but provide them with some guidance. So why not let them have a look on the internet and see what they can find?
When redecorating a teenager’s room, remember that they are very sensitive to color, and they are much more free with their sense of adventure. Why not go for using a bolder color on the wall behind the bed. Plus, it will save on you having to decorate the whole room. Also, it means that you can include a color in the room that they really like and want, but which will not overpower the room completely.
Another way to redecorate your teen’s room when on a tight budget is to change the window covering. Instead of curtains, why not get them blinds instead? Because they come in so many different designs, colors and materials, there is likely to be something that they will like.
Why not get hold of a small table and turn this up into a cool make up vanity by painting it to match your teenager daughter’s bedroom décor?
Also you could get some colorful bed linens to bring all the elements of the decorating you have done together. You could even purchase extra sheets, which can be made into curtains and lampshades that will match the rest of the décor.
If you can not afford to replace a worn out carpet in your teen’s bedroom, then opt to have it taken up, and go for low maintenance painted floors with some throw rugs. Also, why not include some large cushions that they can use when their friends come round? It will provide them with a much more relaxing and friendly atmosphere for them and a place where they can get away from it all.
Rather than replacing a perfectly good bed, you might be able to get away with buying a more adult like headboard for it instead.
Plus, by rearranging your teen’s furniture in their room, you will be able to give it a whole new dramatic look. Many successful teen room makeovers can quickly and easily be accomplished just by changing the layout of a room. Also, by introducing new accessories and lighting to their room, it can help to change the look of a teen’s room dramatically.
If you want to make a teen’s room look a little funkier, then pick up some fringe or beading from a clearance table at the local craft store. You can then glue this around the bottom edge of the lampshade and the hems of curtains to provide a new look. You could even glue it around the edges of shelves.
Why not keep those free CD’s that such people as AOL put in to magazines etc., and turn them over on to the reverse side and glue them to the frame of a mirror or to cover a closet door or use them as picture or poster frames.
As you can see, there are many ways in which a teen’s bedroom can be redecorated that will not end up costing the parents an arm or a leg.
A teenager’s room is different from a child’s room in that it should be treated more like an adult space. But, it should have a slightly fun flair to it also. It is best if you involve your teenager in coming up with a theme that will help to express who they are (and not what you want).
Also, when redecorating your teen’s room, let them choose the colors, but provide them with some guidance. So why not let them have a look on the internet and see what they can find?
When redecorating a teenager’s room, remember that they are very sensitive to color, and they are much more free with their sense of adventure. Why not go for using a bolder color on the wall behind the bed. Plus, it will save on you having to decorate the whole room. Also, it means that you can include a color in the room that they really like and want, but which will not overpower the room completely.
Another way to redecorate your teen’s room when on a tight budget is to change the window covering. Instead of curtains, why not get them blinds instead? Because they come in so many different designs, colors and materials, there is likely to be something that they will like.
Why not get hold of a small table and turn this up into a cool make up vanity by painting it to match your teenager daughter’s bedroom décor?
Also you could get some colorful bed linens to bring all the elements of the decorating you have done together. You could even purchase extra sheets, which can be made into curtains and lampshades that will match the rest of the décor.
If you can not afford to replace a worn out carpet in your teen’s bedroom, then opt to have it taken up, and go for low maintenance painted floors with some throw rugs. Also, why not include some large cushions that they can use when their friends come round? It will provide them with a much more relaxing and friendly atmosphere for them and a place where they can get away from it all.
Rather than replacing a perfectly good bed, you might be able to get away with buying a more adult like headboard for it instead.
Plus, by rearranging your teen’s furniture in their room, you will be able to give it a whole new dramatic look. Many successful teen room makeovers can quickly and easily be accomplished just by changing the layout of a room. Also, by introducing new accessories and lighting to their room, it can help to change the look of a teen’s room dramatically.
If you want to make a teen’s room look a little funkier, then pick up some fringe or beading from a clearance table at the local craft store. You can then glue this around the bottom edge of the lampshade and the hems of curtains to provide a new look. You could even glue it around the edges of shelves.
Why not keep those free CD’s that such people as AOL put in to magazines etc., and turn them over on to the reverse side and glue them to the frame of a mirror or to cover a closet door or use them as picture or poster frames.
As you can see, there are many ways in which a teen’s bedroom can be redecorated that will not end up costing the parents an arm or a leg.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)