Budget Decor Tips!

                    Yesterday, on my facebook fan page

                              All My Treasures.

                      I asked the following questions:

Do you change your mind often when it comes to color??

 Do you get bored easily with your decor??

I also said:

If you answered yes to either of these you won't want to miss my tips on How to change your look often without spending a ton of money!!!

Let me start by telling you, If money isn't an issue for you or if your already a seasoned decorator these tips aren't for you.

I mean, I know I'm not reinventing the wheel here.

But, If you are on a budget and like to change often then you'll want to keep the following in mind the next time your shopping.

1) ALWAYS stick to neutrals on the big ticket items.

i.e. couch, rugs, curtains

Now if you've followed along with me for a while you know that I am anything BUT neutral.

Bohemian chic is my love!

Tracy Porter's home is HEAVEN for me.

Don't be confused though, neutral doesn't mean boring.

It doesn't mean plain.

Let  me show you some examples:

This room may not have color on the walls  but it's anything but boring.

Now remember neutral doesn't mean white or tan.

Neutral just means, choosing big ticket items that don't tie you down to any one specific style.

                       

Change out the pillows....

(not positive but I think this is Cota De Texas)

and you've got a completely different look for very little money.

Get bored with that??

 3 months later and you want something different already?

No problem....

(The Polished Pebble)

Buy new pillows!!!

Even better- learn how to sew and simply make covers for the pillows you already own!!

Again, don't assume that neutral means white/tan/plain.

for example...

None of these are white/tan and I certainly don't think they qualify as "plain"

I LOVE the green of this sofa.

In this shade I consider it a neutral!

Notice the rug?

Certainly not boring but also doesn't tie us down!!

Change out these pillows and blanket and the possibilities for this room are endless!!

This next one is my favorite!!!

See me in the background doing the dishes?

Just insert Lil Red on that couch and it's home!!!

(well almost home- I'd change the kitchen table really)

Even this orange couch leaves you with more options than something with a distinct pattern and multiple colors.

Again, neutral doesn't mean white/tan/boring. It also doesn't mean just a solid color!

Take a look at this black and white striped couch.

I'm a firm believer that the color black is a neutral.

As for stripes??

They go with ANY decor!

Just keep in mind that if you have any more than 2 colors your starting to get to that "tied down" area.

Yes, I have a 2 color rule when using any big ticket items.

No more than 2 colors are aloud.

This way my 3rd color introduced into the room is the one that allows me the freedom to change often

without taking ALL my change!

Your 3rd color is the one to have fun with!

For example,

(Ok so these chairs aren't stripes but you see they fall into the 2 color rule)

Your smaller items like this end table. This and your pillows are where you can have fun!

Once again, if you tire of it, your a $3.00 can of spray paint and a few pillows away from a whole new look!

Is this making sense to you?

Let me show you another example to help you understand what I'm talking about

This is a GREAT room. It's full of character and color.

but....

What happens when I'm over

RED?

Ok If I've used this much of it in one room maybe I won't get over red so much

but what if I'm over this santa fe, country type look?

What are my options with this couch or this rug??

Not many!

Now I know the majority of the photos I've shown have had plain white walls or very little color.

You do not have to do that!!!

Paint is THE cheapest way to change your look!!!

Don't be afraid to slap some color up on those walls!!

This next photo is great!

See all that personality!? All that color?

By the way, notice the rug?

Perfect example of my 2 color max!!

Even though it's a bold pattern you can still go in so many different directions decor wise!!!

Well, as I'm reading back over this I realize that it's not so much "tips"

more like my one really long winded "tip"

Really what it boils down to is...

1) stay neutral when it comes to the big ticket items

2) add color with pillows and other accessories

3) don't be afraid to paint!!!

Hope that helps those of you who like to change but feel stuck.

Stick to these rules and you'll never regret the $2000 plus you spent on a couch

or the $300-600 you've spent on a rug!!

The photos came from various places all over the internet.

If you know where one came from

please leave the info for me in the comments!

Angie