Decorating On a Budget
Even if you’re pinching your pennies, there’s still plenty of resources and ways to make your home inviting and full of personal style.
Take A Good Look Around
Sometimes you don’t have to buy a thing to decorate a space. If you “shop” your own home, you may find that just moving around furniture or objects to new spots brings a fresh vibe. While you’re shopping, ask yourself whether you really need everything you see. Getting rid of tired pieces and clutter is the start of a makeover. After you’re done editing, drop these items off at the charity shop or sell them on eBay. Less is often more.
Great Carpet & Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) For Less
Your design plan should start from the ground up, and the best in new flooring might be less expensive than you think. Denver’s savvy bargain hunters hit Sloane’s Carpet Secret for premium carpet with barely noticeable flaws at up to 70% off. With over one million square feet of high-end carpet right in its warehouse, Sloane’s is your first stop to give rooms a big refresh. While luxury vinyl can be pricier, you’ll save on replacement costs as this tougher-than-nails flooring is waterproof, impervious to scratches and dents, and doesn’t ever need refinishing.
Get Smart About Art
Your budget may not have room for an original Rothko or Pollock. But if you know where to look, you can afford a statement piece by an emerging artist or even a collection of smaller pieces. The Denver Art Society is hosting virtual first Fridays right now and offers a wide range in prices and pieces from local artists. Or, explore what student artists are creating. The Art Students League of Denver hosts its Summer Art Market each year (and it’s on in 2021!) featuring the works of students in a range of media, who are taught by regionally and nationally recognized working artists.
Shop Secondhand
Flea markets are veritable treasure troves for bargain hunters. Denver has several–Mile High Flea Market, Federal Indoor Flea Market and Sweet William Market–that offer endless hours of bargain browsing for furniture and decor. You might find a piece that’s ready made for your home, or one that just needs a little paint and repair to shine like new.
Open A Can of Fresh
Painting your walls is a tried-and-true way to liven up spaces. Or have you considered trying a paint technique like a striped or dashed wall? These easy DIY techniques can easily take a room from boring to bold in a few hours.
Freshen Up with Fabric
For around $50 or less, you can get a duvet cover and a set of shams that fit over your existing comforter and pillows. Changing your bedding costs less than buying a whole new quilt or bedspread. Plus, you just remove the new covers to launder them. Take a look at your chair cushions, too. Wooden chairs with padded seats are easy to redo by just removing the seat and covering it in a different fabric. Lastly, look at changing out your bathroom textiles. Replacing towels and the shower curtain may be the biggest change you can make without the big price tag of a full remodel.