Freshen Up an Old Look
Revitalize your home with these budget-wise tips

By Elisa Waller

Browsing through show homes can be a delightful way to spend a Saturday afternoon. But it can be discouraging, too. After all, how many of us can afford to splurge on new furniture, draperies and all the other accessories that make show homes so eye-catching?

I have discovered that it's possible to create a beautiful and elegant home environment without draining my bank account. All it takes is patience, persistence and resourcefulness.

Where to Start

"I'm not all that creative," you may be thinking. Don't worry - there are many sources of inspiration and ideas for sprucing up your home. Decorating magazines are a great place to start. Two of my favorites include Victoria and Country Living. Other periodicals that provide inexpensive tips for year-round decorating touch-ups include Style at Home, House Beautiful and Elle Décor.

I suggest that you go to your public library or local bookstore and browse through stacks of decorating magazines. Soon you'll begin to develop a sense of your own personal style. Many of these magazines also provide step-by-step instructions for the do-it-yourself home decorator.

Decorating on a Budget

One of the most effective and inexpensive ways of freshening up an old look is to change your color scheme. Be careful to avoid using more than three colors in a room - otherwise you will end up with a busy and cluttered environment.

Select one or two main colors as well as an accent color. Apply your main color on some of the larger items, such as walls or carpet, furniture and curtains. Use accent colours on smaller items such as picture frames, throw pillows and plant pots.

In my home, I selected navy blue for the main color in my living room. Since I am renting, I can't change the carpet or wall color. Thus I used my base color on items that I can change, such as curtains and chair coverings. I also painted my picture frames navy blue. My throw cushions and painted glass candleholders feature my accent color.

If you can't afford new furniture, or like me you are renting and can't paint, there are several inexpensive ways of creating a new look. Try rearranging your furniture. Other options include buying or sewing covers for chairs and sofas. Painting furniture is a bold move, but it can dramatically change the look and feel of a room. Changing your window coverings from curtains to blinds with a swag valance is another idea.

These are just a few tips for freshening up an old look. As you experiment with these and other ideas that you glean from decorating magazines, you will discover many other inexpensive ways to create a beautiful and elegant home environment.