The first and most important thing you need to do is to keep your eyes peeled for a sofa sale. Sofas can often be picked up for cents in the dollar if you go shopping at the right time. There is nothing better than knowing you’re already ahead of the game, than when you pick up a supreme bargain at a sofa sale.
Oftentimes when trying to decorate, people can become a little over enthusiastic, until they realise they have blown their budget and don’t have any money left to do the rest of their project. Make sure you keep your head in check. A thorough written list of items you need and the approximate prices of what you need will help you to stay on track. You may need to continually monitor this list as you continue along the journey, as you might find a few ‘splurge’ items that you consider a must have. This will mean that you’ll need to scrimp and save in other areas.
In terms of trying to pick up a bargain, a really important factor to consider is colour. Whilst that cane lounge might look fabulous in the earthy tones of the shop – it may mean you will need to re-paint with a neutral hue at home to really accentuate the sofa. This has become a really popular phenomenon of late – ‘bringing the outside in’. Through the use of a cane lounge and complementary wall hangings, you can really bring a room a lot closer to nature, to give it a real down-to-earth homely feel.
If you are a handy type of person you may be able to cut costs by making your own wonderful pieces at home. The sky is really the limit – all you need to do is pick up a DIY home magazine to see what is possible for you. Wall hangings are easy to make, as well as reupholstering existing furniture, making your own personalised lamp shades – the list is endless. You will be so proud once you have finished your project, when you step back and admire your own handiwork.
Don’t underestimate the power of accessories either. By simply adding a couple of pillows, some interesting pieces such as flameless votive candles or sea shells, and an indoor plant or wall hanging, you can really revitalise a space without it costing you a fortune. The other thing to remember is that sometimes less is really more. More often than not, simply by clearing out a lot of your clutter, and replacing it with a couple of interesting pieces, you can change the whole outlook and focus of the room. So go ahead and get rid of those stacks of old newspapers and magazines – you need to clear space for your new decorations to live.
It is easy to start little by little in the transformation of your chosen room – eventually you will get around to completing the whole house. It only takes the first step to get started and you’ll most likely get hooked. So when you next walk past the furniture shop having a sofa sale – don’t be afraid to pop your head in to have a browse.
photo credit: nolaclutterbusters