30 Days, 30 Tips to Budget Friendly Home Decor - Day 3

Welcome! Come right on in!

Today is Day 3 in my segment "30 Days, 30 Tips for Budget Friendly Home Decor". I was inspired to do this segment after speaking to several people who want to freshen up their home a bit but don't have a big budget. So for 30 consecutive days I will post a tip for making the most of your space by adding BIG IMPACT for little $$$.

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Day 3 - Tip 3:

Getting over Matched Sets

For many years the furniture business has made us think that we have to have matched sets - matched end tables, matched bedroom suites, matched dinning chairs, matched lamps and so on. Well, if you want your home to look like a furniture showroom then matched sets work but if you want your home to have a comfortable, evolved-over-time appeal then ungroup your matched sets and pull together a look that is warm, lived-in and inviting.

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1. Walk through your home and take note of how many "sets" you have in each room. Where could you use one of the items from the pair and how could you use it differently?

2. Swap out a lamp from your living room and pair it with a lamp from your bedroom or some other area of your home.

3. Try using one of your matched end tables as a bedside table or accent table.

4. Try adding two wing chairs at the ends of your dining room table and use the two dining chairs in your entry or hall.

5. Mix 'n match wood tones throughout your home in a daring manner to add excitement and movement to the room.

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Keep in mind that somethings are better off staying together. Grouping a collection of ironstone, vintage clocks, pottery or plates have more design appeal and impact when displayed together rather than scattered throughout the house.

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As an update, I am still unable to upload any new pictures from my camera. I hope to have this issue resolved by the weekend. I do have some wonderful pictures of my New Glamour masterbath. The soft palette of yellow-green, chocolate and brushed nickle really added a "wow" factor. I also have a new tablescape to share featuring my Mother's white Johnson Bros. dishes. But before you go, browse through some of my idea file pics for mixing and matching your way to a fabulous home. The chairs and chaise lounge are unified with slipcovers but the glass and iron coffee table plays off the oak accent table in the background.

This living room is a study in "a little of this and a little of that" just like a French chef concocting his famous pastry. Various wood tones, brass and glass cocktail table, black lacquered writing desk - it's all here!

While the two distressed side tables and lamps match, they play off of the solid center console and tone down the formal feel of symmetry.

Drop by tomorrow for Day 4! Until then,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa

30 Days, 30 Tips to Budget Friendly Home Decor - Day 1

Hey, thanks for stopping by today for the launch of my new feature called

"30 Days, 30 Tips to Budget Friendly Home Decorating".

These tips are loaded with big-impact for little $$$. Over the last few months I've talked with a lot of Moms, Singles, and Empty-nesters. It seems they all want the same thing - easy, doable home decor updates using what they already have or budget friendly ideas that WON'T break the bank! So that's been the inspiration for this special feature. Each day I will post a new tip. Today's tip is so easy and best of all IT'S FREE! It won't cost you one penny and believe me it makes a huge impact!

Day 1 - Tip 1:

FURNITURE REARRANGEMENT

This is so easy! One of the best ways to get an instant "Umphf" from your interior space is to rearrange your furniture and accessories. Just positioning your furniture in a new configuration is sometimes all you need to create a new mood. Always start with the bigger pieces such as your sofa in the living room or table in the dining room and your bed in the bedroom.

I like to clean out the entire room and start from stratch. This might not be doable if you have big, bulky pieces. In which case take out all the small, accent furniture so you will have plenty of room to work. Reposition the key pieces then add back the smaller accents.

A good rule to keep in mind is that every room should have a FOCAL POINT. This could be a fireplace, window or a wall decorated with a gorgeous piece of art. Orient your largest piece of furniture in the room towards this focal point. In my living room I have my sofa facing my fireplace. In my dining room I have my table facing a double window. The den has two focal points and so I have the sofa facing one and the loveseat facing the other. Don't be afraid to angle seating pieces and tables or to pull your sofa, loveseat or bed out away from the wall.

Once you have rearranged the furniture, come back and "sign your name". This is the part I like best! This is when you accessorize your tables, bookshelves, mantles and walls. You will be astounded at the difference you will feel in your own space once you regarrange things. I like to keep my family guessing so every 3-4 months I change it up a bit. During the Fall and Winter months I pull my furniture close together - to the center of the room and place tables and consoles around the walls. During the Spring and Summer, I like to spread things out and allow the air to circulate. No matter how much or how little you rearrange, it will make a big impact for little effort!

Hope you find this tried and true tip useful. I'd love to hear how you rearranged a room to add impact and freshness! Tomorrow I will share Tip 2. Don't miss it! Until then,

Happy Decorating!

~Alisa