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OK, we all sit and daydream about the beautiful home that we will have someday: the massive ocean front property with more bathrooms than you have friends, the chic loft apartment in New York with your own private roof-top meditation garden (maintained by hired help, of course, and not you). Yes, we all have that dream space that only celebrities can afford. Unfortunately, many of us will never obtain a place quite like this, sorry everyone.
Before you give up on all your hopes and dreams to go live in a cardboard box somewhere, maybe you could consider a different way to achieve your dream home. There are a lot of ways that you can create shock and awe in your home, even if you do not have a multi-million dollar budget to work with. Here are a few ideas you can use to make your living space outstanding on a small budget.
Pick a room to focus your attention on
It is easy to get carried away and make plans to revamp your entire home, but when you are working with a small budget, that usually turns into a few unfinished projects in each room, not classy. Instead, focus your attention on one room at a time. If you are looking to make the biggest “wow” factor happen in your home, start with the room that your guests usually spend the most time in, your loving room or dining room for example.
Once you have decided on the room, pick the elements of that room that make it look less expensive and start improving. Maybe your entryway would look more sophisticated with spiral stairs instead of the traditional staircase. Maybe your dining room table would look brand new with a new finish or paint job. This focus will keep your rooms looking great and finished.
Upgrade your furniture to get a more expensive look
Furniture is extremely expensive, so up until this point you have purchased everything from Ikea or rummage sales. Although this furniture may be completely functional still, it could always use a face lift to look a little fresher.
Paint or refinish any hard furniture yourself. For fabric-covered furniture, it can be super simple for you to reupholster or make a cover for it on your own. Pick a fresh, even slightly expensive fabric and embellish your furniture to make the old look new.
Add DIY embellishments for a unique look
Get your crafty pants on and start creating. Handmade elements for your home design will make your space look unique and put together without you spending a lot of money on home accessories. For your parties, decorate your glasses with painted-on letters and designs. Hang your memorabilia, like an old scarf or a great piece of jewelry to add interest and style to your room. Even better, these pieces will be great conversation starters, so have your stories prepared!
Use color to your advantage
Nothing says, “I’m poor and I have no fashion sense”, like bare walls and mismatching color schemes. Try to stick with one color palette in each room. This will make everything look more put together and polished.
Again, painting remains the easiest and cheapest way to improve anything in your home. If your walls or furniture don’t match, just paint them until they do. Paint accessories, like light fixtures, as well. Now you have a grand space that you will be proud to show off, and you have more money to save for your future home.
Author Bio:
Tina Hamilton is an established journalist, blogger and DIY project addict. You can usually find her scouring Pinterest for new project ideas or outside with her dog in Southern California. You can follow her on Twitter.
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