When You Can't Afford the Fix - Decorating Secrets to the Rescue

Nearly everyone I talk to these days is on a budget. Often a strict, no extras-allowed budget. But what do you do to keep your house looking great or to fix the mistakes left by the previous owner?

What you can't fix right away can be artfully decorated over.

So if you can't get the floors done right now, or that old plaster is driving you crazy but the bank account says no to hiring a dry waller, here are some hints to help in the interim so your house still looks great. You'll be the only one that knows!

1) Faux painting over bad plaster.  Yes, many faux painting techniques really cover up bad plaster, especially sponging which uses no glazing and creates it's own varied texture.

2) Throw rugs over damaged floors.  Generally a rug is cheaper than fixing a floor, especially hard wood or retiling. Besides you can get great rugs at J.C. Penneys or Target.  Shoot, I've gotten nice ones at Home Depot.

3) Wipe Liquid Gold on worn hard wood floors. This lasts about several months and really looks great.

4) Hang insulated curtains over drafty windows.  Can't afford replacement windows but the drafts are freezing you out. Get some long, insulated drapes.  You can pick these up fairly inexpensively from many places.  While the styles are somewhat limited, get a coordinating color and then spruce up the room with pillows or inexpensive wall art.

5) Use special grout paint/bleach over discolored grout.  Seeing discolored grout first thing in the morning in your shower is not a pleasant way to wake up. But if you don't want to replace all the tile of if you don't have the time or patience to scrape out all the grout and replace it, clean it well with bleach and mildew cleaner. Let dry. Then paint over or bleach it out with specially formulated grout cover ups.  You should find them at most home improvement stores.  It won't last forever, but it will buy you time, and of course, save you money.

6) Clean!  A sparkling clean house can make up for a multitude of other sins.

7) Distract the viewer away from the eyesore.  Use big accents, wall hangings, large plants to give a focus other than your worn out couch, lackluster floor, your faded carpet.

8) Paint. As I've said many times, paint is pretty cheap and can fix many a problem.

9 ) Throw covers. So your sofa has seen better days (or decades). Use a throw cover. There are so many choices now in many different styles. If that's not your style, load up on pillows and throw blankets.

As your doing these cost-saving fixes, plan your budget to save for your home improvement needs. Most of these will buy you  months if not a few years until you can fix your house the right way.

Comments

[vertical blinds]

Hi,

Nice home decorative....I always like to do decorative for my home ....

[Blinds]

Given the credit crunch that most people find themselves in, all the suggestions can help and when the work is done, sit down and enjoy. Also sourcing some items from ebay or a local charity shop may be of help.

[Philippines property]

Buying a home will likely be your largest financial commitment. And decorating it would be one the challenge you have facing. Great decorating. Like it.

Deirdre G