Bring Color to Your Home
by Kathleen Wilson
Description: Budget-friendly tips for decorating your home with color.
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In the first few months of every New Year, most of us
are thinking about change. One of the fastest, most
effective and least expensive ways to change your rooms
is to use color! The color forecast for 2004 is one
everyone can appreciate…it’s all about comfort! Shades
from nature, warm rich colors from exotic parts of the
world, or well-worn colors are all great choices for a
comfort filled home. Here are some great ways to add
color to your home, without breaking the bank!
1. Paint. Yes, you all knew I was going to say that,
but try something a little different this year! Learn
to sponge paint or rag roll, tape off wide stripes in a
different shade of the same color, combine a painted
wall with stamping or stenciling. Use a rich color in
at least one room, and paint your ceilings and woodwork
too! Or try that brave new color on a key piece of
furniture.
2. Use fabric. Fabric can be expensive, but there are
ways to cut the costs dramatically. Shop your thrift
stores for sheets, blankets, and quilts to use as
tablecloths and window coverings. Check the bargain bin
at the local fabric store, often times they have
beautiful fabrics at discount prices simply because
they have been discontinued. Use cheap muslin, then add
a border of a decorative fabric to save lots of cash.
Use worn sweaters to stitch up a throw pillow cover. I
once used a “never to be used again” maternity blouse
to create gorgeous silk pillows for my living room.
Look in your closets and linen chest for items in your
color scheme that can be pressed into service.
3. Cover the matting in your wall art with colorful
paper or fabric to coordinate with your room. )Or paint
your picture frames!) This brings color and interest to
your walls, guides the eye upward, and ties your room
together.
4. Look for accessories at the local dollar store. Many
colorful candles, baskets, bowls, and statuettes can be
found for just a buck!
5. Add plants. Every room comes alive with plants, and
they add a neutral but uplifting amount of color to
your home. Think you have no green thumb? Sprout carrot
tops, ivy cuttings from the yard, or potato cuttings,
then pot up and put in a brightly lit spot…even if your
thumb fails you, they cost you nothing, and can easily
be grown again!
Kathleen Wilson is an author, magazine columnist, and
editor of her free ezine, The Budget Decorator. You can
get more great ideas and sign up for her free
newsletter at http://www.TheBudgetDecorator.com.
