Shoe-String Budget Apartment Decor
You can decorate an apartment on a budget, if you develop a good eye for bargains and garage sale diamonds in the rough.
Here are some inexpensive, tried-and-true decorating ideas:
Most towns have a periodic week-end designated for garage sales. This is where you can stumble on some really fantastic finds. Try the "eclectic" approach to decorating. Besides, "Shabby Chic" is all the rage. You can repaint any wooden item of furniture in a muted thyme or a Dresden blue. These are pretty, relaxing color tones.
After your newly painted furniture has dried, run a three- or four-inch wide paintbrush in some off-white paint and try to remove as much paint as possible by running it back and forth on thick cardboard. After that, lightly drag your paint brush across the surface of the wood to create an "old wood" look. Hint: Old deco-style sewing machine consoles make great end tables. Every thrift store has at least one for sale.
Lamps are an easy garage sale find. Buy a new lampshade, and – voila! Now you have an interesting "new" lamp. Pick up some pretty kitchen curtains and an old dinette set. Look for retro-looking canisters for storing tea bags, flour and other kitchen staples.
Scout around at your local thrift stores. Many of them even have certain days where you can find merchandise that's been deeply discounted. Dig around in the back of the store for some old picture frames. Paint them the same color as your end tables or chairs. Frame some old prints and hang them in interesting groupings on your apartment's walls.
If you purchase a used sofa from a thrift store, buy an old bedspread and cover your couch with it. You could dye an old chenille bedspread in the same color as your end tables and picture frames. Also look around for a red-checkered tablecloth for your kitchen dinette.
One more pointer: Check out RentersInsurance.com to insure all your hard work. It would be awful if it was destroyed in a fire or flood, but at least you'd have the money to replace it.
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