10 Tips for Decorating on a Budget!

These days it seems everyone is looking for ways to save money, whether that be by cutting out coupons, cutting out large fancy retailers or cutting out shopping altogether. Now, if you're in the market for some home updates, this may seem challenging. Luckily, there are ways to get around this! If you are decorating a whole room, a whole house or simply updating an existing room, these design tips will help you to achieve the look you want on the budget you've got! 1. PAINT: Painting is probably the easiest way to dramatically change a room and paint is fairly inexpensive when you think about the end result you will get from it. Paint white or neutral walls to get that fresh clean look or add a coloured accent wall to show your eclectic side. 2. DO IT YOURSELF: Hiring others to do work that you could do yourself is a very costly measure. Paint your own room, do some tiling yourself or sew together some curtains. Whatever you can do yourself will save you big bucks when it comes to your design budget. Not very handy? Call in your friends and family! Get together with the people you know to see who can help you with what. Offer to buy them lunch or coffee in exchange for their time. 3. SHOP SECOND HAND STORES: Get thrifty at a thrift shop! Second hand stores and thrift shops are great places to find furniture, pillows, art and other decorating elements. When buying furniture from a second hand store, look for furniture with solid construction and clean lines. That way you know the piece you buy will last for a long time and stay in style. Think outside of the box when looking around, its amazing how a coat of paint or some new fabric can really transform a piece of used furniture into a piece of art. 4. SHOP CLEARANCE SECTIONS: Many furniture stores have a CLEARANCE CORNER, including Surplus Furniture and Mattress Warehouse. Here you can find many deals! Save up to 70% off the regular price of Brand Name items, discontinued items and slightly damaged items. Chances are if you find something you like, no one else will know it came from the clearance section and it will save you some big bucks. 5. WAIT FOR SALES/DISCOUNTS: If you find something you really love while shopping around but the price is just too much for your budget, ask a store manager if the item will be discounted anytime soon. Most times, a store manager will know if something is about to go on sale and SOMETIMES, they may even offer you the reduced price early. It never hurts to ask, right? 6. ADD UNEXPECTED ACCESSORIES: Use uncommon items to add character to a room. Do it right and you can save a lot of money while you're at it as well! Add a bowl of fruit to your dining room table to add a pop of colour. Frame your children's artwork and put it on the wall in place of that Picasso. Search your local beach area for seashells that you can display on a shelf for a nautical themed room. 7. RE-USE ITEMS YOU ALREADY HAVE: Refurnish an old nightstand by adding a coat of paint and some new hardware. Shop for the hardware at a restore or thrift shop to save even more money. At your local paint shop, be sure to ask for any paint that was mixed by mistake. Often times these are offered for a reduced price. Bonus! More ways to save money! 8. ADD LUXURY FOR LESS: Certain items immediately add luxury and elegance to a space. Try adding crown molding to a room to help tie the room together and add that touch of class. Go for white trim to keep it fresh and remember, the wider the crown molding, the more expensive it looks. Looking to update your bedroom? Instead of spending $1000's on a whole bedroom suite, simply add an interesting headboard to create a focal point in the room. 9. REMOVE CLUTTER: Stop into your local dollar store and stock up on buckets and other organizing containers. Getting rid of all that clutter in your room will help showcase your decorating ventures. Removing the clutter will also help you to see your room more clearly which will help you determine how you want the end result to look. 10. BE PATIENT: A well thought out and inexpensively executed room may take some time so be patient. Spend some time planning how you want the room to look before you head out to the shops. Having an idea in mind should make it easier to find those perfect items you need. Hunting for the perfect bargain is not always an easy task so if you don't find anything the first day, don't be discouraged. Second hand stores and clearance corners always have changing stock so it is worth going back in on a weekly, maybe even daily basis. Living in a space that looks expensive, unique and is easy on the budget does not have to be out of reach. Anyone can have the room of their dreams with a little planning. Set a budget and try to stay within it. Not only will it give you a feeling of accomplishment for sticking to your budget but your bank account will thank you as well! Ready to get started? Why not start at Surplus Furniture and Mattress Warehouse! Not only do we carry Brand Name Furniture at Factory Direct Prices but we also have a clearance corner in every one of our stores that offers up to 70% off our regular retail prices! Visit a store near you today to begin your journey of designing your dream room on YOUR budget! Let us know what tips you have for saving money below!