Cheap Ideas to Decorate a Home

The papers are all signed, and you've just moved into your new place. You're ready to spruce up the inside, but you're tight on cash after all the moving expenses. To decorate your home on a budget, think little but eye catching. Instead of replacing your dining room table, freshen up the room with handsome accessories. In the same vein, use colorful items to enliven your bedroom, bathroom and kitchen. You can even alter the feel of your living room without repainting the whole thing. Go small but striking by changing the color of an accent wall.

Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the easiest rooms to decorate cheaply. Start by using plants and produce to brighten your countertops. Plant herbs in terra-cotta pots and put them in a sunny spot to thrive, or display apples, oranges and avocados in a variety of containers. You can find everything from carved wooden platters in thrift stores to inexpensive wire and rattan baskets on home-design websites. Attractive towels also make a reasonably priced, effective touch in the kitchen. Buy them decorated with salsa stripes, botanical prints or whimsical designs and slogans.

Dining Room

You don't need a major overhaul to add style to your dining room. Shop for tablecloths on sale featuring colorful stripes or bold flowers, or go wild with polka dots or zebra prints. Shop at local discount stores for solid-color seat cushions that match the main hue of your tablecloth, and you're all set for your dinner guests.

Living Room

Accents and accessories are the way to freshen your living room without breaking the bank. Dress up a plain-looking sofa with discounted throws in bright stripes or nature tones, add bright vases from second-hand stores, and find low-priced area rugs to rotate through the seasons. Paint just one wall to set off the colors in the room. It can complement your favorite painting or the pillows on your couch, and it's sure to be a conversation piece of its own.

Bedroom

The bedroom is another spot where a few inexpensive changes create a whole new look. Look on the sale pages of websites for tropical comforter sets or soft chenille bedspreads in pastel colors. Lighten up your bedside with discounted table lamps--go online to find a variety from Art Nouveau styles to lamps carrying the logo of your favorite sports team.

Bathroom

Don't forget the bathroom, another area that's easy to dress up on the cheap. The shower curtain is usually a focal point, and you can go elegant with bird and tree images, or contemporary with black and white modular designs. While you're at it, update your bathroom with fresh new towel bars and decorative hooks on sale.