23 May 2016

Swanky Home Decorating on a Shoestring

Do you browse through home decor magazines, dreaming about the beautiful home you'd create if only you had the cash? What those magazines fail to mention is that you don't need to be independently wealthy in order to decorate a swanky home. Walk away from those $1000 designer lamp shades and drapes, and read on to discover how to decorate a classy home on a shoestring budget.

Finding the best items

Set down the designer catalog. You can find the same items for a lot less at closeout and discount stores. These stores receive new and different items on a regular basis. Ask an associate what day new shipments come in, and make a habit of coming in on that day so you can look through the new items before others pick them over.

Also visit some consignment stores in your town. Designer items are meant to last, which means that once their original owners are done with them, they are usually still in good enough shape to be re-sold and used again. You might stumble upon drapes that were $500 new for $10, just because they hung in someone else's home for a year.

Estate sales are another sure bet. In this case, you'll get to see the items actually in place in a home, which will help you make better decisions as to what you like.

Don't overlook the power of the Internet in finding great items, either. Online auction sites are riddled with used home goods being sold for a song and a dance. Just make sure the seller has a good reputation before committing, and ask for a lot of pictures to make sure you know what you're getting.

Devising a color scheme

It's not just the individual items that give luxurious homes their swanky appeal; it's the way those items are paired together. Instead of haphazardly choosing items you think will look good together, think long and hard about your color scheme. Doing so doesn't cost a thing, but will give your end result so much more appeal.

Interior designers often cite the 60-30-10 rule when it comes to color. Sixty percent of the room should be one color. Usually, this is the walls. Thirty percent of the room should be a second color; this is generally the furniture, cabinets and the like. Ten percent of the room should be accent colors; this is your lamp shades, artwork, linens, and similar items.

Achieving textural balance

Another tactic you can employ just as easily on a shoestring budget as on an excessive one is to mix and match textures.

Using several different textures in a space instantly makes it feel more swanky. Think smooth curtains, soft and fluffy rugs, and coarse-grain wooden furniture. Since you'll be shopping at discount and consignment shops, you should have no trouble finding such a variety of items.

For more home decorating tips that won't cost a fortune, check out our post on Do-It-Yourself Holiday Decoration.