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"Helpful Budget Home Decorating Ideas from the experts!"

Home decorating can be challenging enough as it is, until you add a tight budget to the mix! Many wonder how they can learn to decorate on a budget, and if it's possible. Here are the top three budget decorating problems, and the solutions!

Problem 1:

Q. Can I decorate my home on a budget without making it look cheap or tacky? I can't afford to do much, but I want a nice home just as much as the next person!

A. Absolutely. Budget does NOT mean cheap! It means you need to take some steps to ensure you aren't putting your family's financial well being on the line while you decorate your home. It means making wise decisions, and following a plan.

And it means using creativity and elbow grease, not bucks! We've all seen those home decorating tv shows and the miracles they can do on $1000 a room. What if you could do a whole room like that for $100. $50? Sounding better, huh?

Problem 2:

Q. I am not artistic or creative. I can't see how I can do this without a lot of money.

A. EVERYONE has creativity within them. You only need to find out why you've been hiding it so long. First of all, there are a lot of great resources out there for those decorating on a budget.

Check out your library for home decorating books, walk through model homes with a notebook, and visit websites like The Budget Decorator for endless decorating ideas. Once you get inspired by others ideas, you will be surprised at how freely your own start to flow.

Keep in mind that few decorating projects can't be undone, so don't be afraid to try new things, especially when all your projects are done using very little cash!

Problem 3:

Q. I don't know where to get started, so nothing ever changes. I just feel overwhelmed at the prospect of decorating and am afraid to move forward.

A. You need help and you need confidence! First, start by picking a small room to decorate first...a powder room, for instance.

Choose a theme for the room, such as "Country Style Blue and Yellow Bath". Your theme gives you a "mission statement" and allows you to make decisions based upon it. You will know that everything you choose for the room needs to fit within your theme.

This will save you a lot of money and time in the long run, and help you to build skills and confidence. Make a plan, and start with the walls. They have the biggest impact in the shortest time. Once you see the difference one small change can make, you will be on your way!

Want free home decorating ideas? Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For thousands of free ideas, please visit her websites now at www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and www.women-on-the-net.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com

Decorating With Antiques on a Budget
by Kathleen Wilson

When most people think of buying antiques to decorate their homes, they feel it is out of their financial reach. But there are several ways you can utilize antique shops to add charm and history to your home, without spending a fortune. Here are some of my favorite "frugal" antique buys!

*Antique postcards sell at antique shops for $1 or less, and are a great source of nostalgia. You can use them to decoupage onto a tabletop or display them grouped in frames for more impact.*Antique keys are interesting and organic, and are easy to hang as a collection in almost any room.

Sometimes you can buy a large ring of them for less than $20! You can place them in picture frames backed by a contrasting fabric and then group them together for an amazing wall grouping. Try painting all the frames matching black to add a sense of sophistication.

*Teacups and saucers can be relatively inexpensive. I started a collection some time ago, and hang plates on the wall and teacups on shelving. You can find them from $5 and up at antique shops, and ebay is a great source of such items!

*Old tools and wooden crates can be found for less than $20, and add immediate distinction to your nostalgic rooms. Place them in focal areas of the room to add importance, and they become as essential to the décor as the furniture! Also consider using these on porches or covered decks to make your outdoor rooms charming and creative!

*Finally, keep your eye out for linens you can pick up for a song, especially if part of the piece is damaged. You can cut away the damaged area and remake an old quilt, bedspread or tablecloth into a wonderful throw pillow, slipcover, or lap blanket, preserving the history and uniqueness for future generations!

We bring antiques into our home to reconnect and speak of our past, and there is no reason that should cost us a fortune! So this weekend, check out a few of your local antique shops for treasures within your budget, and give your rooms something to talk about!

Want free home decorating ideas? Kathy Wilson is an author, home decorating columnist for LifetimeTv.com, and editor of several popular home and garden websites. For hundreds of free do it yourself home and garden ideas, please visit her websites now at www.TheBudgetDecorator.com and http://www.DecoratingYourSmallSpace.com.

5 Secrets To Dollar Store Decorating
by Melissa J. Verch

When money is low and the desire to have something new is strong, there are two places that bring satisfaction. Number one is the public library. Without spending any money you can walk out of there with books, magazines, movies and music. Yes, you have to return them but you can choose items and take them home with you and own them for a short time. How awesome is that!

The other place that can satisfy your need to shop is the dollar store. You can choose any item and it is only a buck! It is great for stocking up on cleaning supplies, birthday cards and holiday needs. Is there a better place when you need to fill Easter Baskets and Christmas Stockings with lots of goodies? Have you ever looked around while shopping and realized you can do some pretty cool decorating with the items on the shelves? Walk with me up and down the aisles for some low cost ideas.

1. Start with the section of dishes. The offerings may change but you can always count on pretty and colorful plates. Co-ordinate place settings that will add color to your table for a quick change. A set of white dishes should be in your collection. It can be dressed up for a classy table or added to bright accessories for a refreshing summer look. It looks perfect with your holiday linens.

I love plates hung on the wall as art. One looks good in a small area but if you can hang 3 of them in a row you will get more impact on the wall. They can be the same plate in a repeat look or a combination of three plates that co-ordinate. Do not forget to pick up the plate hangers that are usually available in the store.

2. A set of dishtowels hung over a curtain rod in an overlapping fashion make a quick homey valance. Buy several colors and hang layers for the best look. You could continue the look by sewing a few together end to end to make a washable table runner. If you do not have a sewing machine, you can stitch it be hand using the sewing kit you buy for $1.

3. The selection of frames at the dollar store is remarkable. Choose your favorite photos and frame them so they can be enjoyed instead of just stored in a drawer. Make personalized art by snapping photos of favorite things such as a flower or tree in your yard.

A great idea for a boys room is to photograph the front grill or dash board of a vintage or dream car. Have the picture printed in an enlarged size, place in your bargain frame and you will have a one of a kind print for only a couple of bucks.

4. Look in the toy and party section for things to decorate a childs room. Search for kites, colorful gliders and paper fans to suspend from the ceiling. Packs of tissue paper can be folded into bouquets of large flowers. If you do not remember how to do these from your own childhood, you can find directions online.

5. I have often seen little bags of stones and glass pebbles in the dollar store. A simple way to use them is to scatter them on a tabletop for interest. You do not need to use the whole bag just enough to look like the stones were randomly tossed on the surface. Fill a set of tall thin vases with the stones and line them up on the windowsill. You can add a single stem flower to each vase if you like.

Dollar store decorating will challenge your creativity. Grab a buggy and start searching the aisles for your next decorating project.

By: Melisa J. Verch

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

You will find more exciting decorating ideas at www.CharlotteInteriorDesign.net