Hi Friends!
For those that have been reading my blog for a while know that I HIGHLY value being able to pull off a fantastic look for not a lot of money.
So, in this post I want to show you some very simple ideas that you can apply to achieve a designers touch without breaking the bank. :-)
Tip #1
Spray paint can be your best friend and bring items that you thought were dead to life again! I have turned many ugly lamps into something updated and beautiful. Don't be afraid to spray paint the frames of outdated mirrors or other picture frames for an updated look. My "go to" spray paint color is Krylon's Oil Rubbed Bronze. (you can't go wrong!) For those that enjoy color, take a piece of furniture that has seen better days and spray paint it a fun, bright paint finish.
Gretchen from The Crafting Chicks took this old brown hutch and spray painted it Cherry Red :-) If tackling a large item like a hutch worries you, start off small with a quaint side table.
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| The Crafting Chicks |
These lamps were just a few bucks at my local thrift store - never look at the color, only the shape of a lamp. Spray paint is to a frugal designer, as chocolate is to a woman. :-) It makes us happy and you can expect great things to come from either spray paint or eating chocolate ;-)
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| Creative Juices Decor |
Tip #2.
Mirrors are a fantastic home decor investment. If you have a mirror, try hanging it opposite a window. Mirrors can open up a space and make a room feel MUCH larger than it is....especially when you place it across from a source of natural light. It will create such a difference and can brighten up dreary areas instantly.
This mirror added a lot of brightness in an area that was previously a dark corner.
This mirror made the entire wall appear as if it was open.......plus it added a lot of visual interest.
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| BHG |
You can see how this mirror placed at the end of the sitting area literally doubled the visual space of the room.
Tip #3.
This is one of my FAVORITE tips as it creates such a visual difference. If you want to make any room feel larger (higher ceilings) all you need to do is reposition your curtain rods to hang a few inches (or even flush) with the ceiling. By doing that, it creates a tall, beautiful vertical line that draws your eye up and creates the illusion of a taller ceiling.
These curtains were placed right below the crown molding but much higher than the top of the window. As you can see, the result is a grander feel that brings your attention upward, creating the illusion that the ceilings are taller than they actually are.
Here is an example of a cozy living room following that same tip.
I wanted to show you an "every day home" example......as you can see, Chris from Just a Girl placed her rods almost flush to the ceiling in her dining room.
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| Just a Girl |
And this is her daughter's room. The room itself is lovely, but notice the curtain placement once again. I always prefer bringing the curtain fabric all the way down to the ground. Even having some extra fabric puddled on the floor is a nice designer's touch.
Tip #4.
When you are arranging accessories - remember that odd numbered groupings look more appealing than even. Create lots of layering, especially with the heights. Try to group multiple items together, rarely would I leave a single decor item by itself. I wrote a post on How to Decorate the Top of Your Cabinets if you are wanting more tips on this subject.
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| Creative Juices Decor |
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| RadioButlers |
Tip #5
Greenery (faux or real, small or large) adds so much to ANY space - it softens the edges or corners…….keep your eye out at thrift stores or on Craigslist for that fantastic find. You can also use the 40% off Michael's coupon to buy some greenery!
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| Creative Juices Decor |
And for those who can't imagine putting up faux greenery......here is a beautiful example of live greenery!
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| Dering Hall |
There you have it my friends!
Have fun trying out a few of these tips! I promise they will add an updated designer look to your home instantly. Let me know your thoughts and if you ever have any questions be sure and ask me :-)
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