Home Decorating on a Tight Budget

So, you have already begun to receive those holiday catalogs and would love to purchase some of the beautiful pillows, table linens and much more. Well, maybe we can’t all afford such quality items; however, that doesn’t mean that we can’t have them.

Making your own curtains and other home accents is not only gratifying but also a great way to save money. Of course, the patterns and material can also be expensive. Here are some easy cost-cutting ideas.

First of all, let’s begin with your dining room table. Maybe you would like a table runner with matching placemats in a decorative holiday print. The price of the pattern for these items can be a bit prohibitive. But what about those dollar stores that seem to be popping up all over the place? You may not like the quality or the print that they have in stock; however, there is nothing wrong with buying one table runner and one placemat for a total cost of two dollars plus tax then using them as your pattern. You have to admit that is a considerable savings when compared to the average cost of a pattern.

Next, you find that really great material that you want. Again, the price is an issue. However, Wal-Mart has shelves of one and two dollar per yard material. The nice thing is that they don’t make you wait until after the season is over to buy a good quality holiday print at those prices.

But what about those bigger projects; such as, curtains or comforters? Well, once again, we can use what is available to us. How about the curtain that is on your window? Can you use that as a pattern? It may require a few subtle changes but with some planning, you can create a whole new look based upon the original style of the curtain that is hanging there now.

Comforters are not a big deal. Don’t forget the matching pillow shams and dust ruffle. If you don’t have one of these available to use as a pattern, I would suggest looking at the back of a pattern package. You don’t have to buy the pattern to look at the measurements, material or notion suggestions.

Now that you have a few ideas as to how to redecorate your home without breaking your budget, you may be stuck on what you really want that dining room table, bedroom or bathroom to look like.

Let’s return to those holiday catalogs that are beginning to arrive in the mail. You can certainly get some great ideas from them. Another thought is to go to a material department or store and look through pattern books. Or, when you take your children to the library, you can spend time looking through magazines that focus on decorating ideas while they do their homework. This saves you the cost of the magazine and allows you to spend some time with your children.

Speaking of time, for those of us who work, time can be an issue. Try tackling a small project first, such as, creating a table runner and placemats for the holidays. You will be surprised how fast you acquire the ability to put together a project. Additionally, the benefits that are derived from doing something that you like while creating a warm atmosphere for your family is immeasurable. Don’t forget to label the item as being “Handmade With Love By _________”. It is sure to become a treasured keepsake as your children grow and move on into their own homes.

Remember to get those projects done early in the season so that you can relax and enjoy this beautiful time of the year!

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