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You have a new apartment, tight budget, and you’re dying for the most fabulous décor. You can do in on the cheap if you have faith in a few of these tips!
Have a plan
Have a genre to be the guideline for your shopping. Contemporary? Shabby Chic? African? Pick a few accent pieces for your look. For example, throw pillows in animal’s prints might be a good start for African. But don’t overdo the theme you pick. It will look like you’ve decorated the zoo, or have achieved shabby without the chic.
Smart Shop
Go to antique/used furniture stores for deals. Look for neglected wood pieces (tables, chests, etc.). Paint them black -- they’ll go with anything and look like new! Put on new drawer knobs, that will help emphasize your “look”. There are many choices out there, from flowers to stripes to wrought iron.
Shop cheap
Go to those big-box stores for bargains. In the garden department, you might find outdoor rugs that have the look of expensive rugs. It will be a whole lot cheaper than indoor rugs that have backing and will look just as good in your living room! Lamps can be a great find there, too. Cheap enough that you can buy a matching pair for those newly painted black end tables.
Know when to stop
Don't buy all at once. Great! Everything was so cheap! Don’t over do it. Remember you are looking for bargains, not just prices. Your apartment will look…well…cheap.
Mix it up
Take that old desk from Aunt Sally. Throw it in with the other stuff and call it “an antique”. It will look special and will eliminate the mono-décor look. While at Aunt Sally’s, grab a cute old plate, stick it on a stand and use it as an accent piece.
Get rid of the futon
Get rid of the futon. It’s time for it to go. But, hmmm, those sofas sure are expensive! Make this purchase a large piece of your budget pie. It’s worth it. It will be the largest item in your room, so you’ll want it to look good -- and be comfortable.
To get what you want without compromising, shop the sales at the lower-end of the high-end furniture stores. You will probably be given a choice of fabrics so you can customize your sofa.
Try to set up financing with the store. You may be able to pay over a year’s time, perhaps with no interest.
This will be the showcase of your décor for many years to come! Make you decorating budget work with your new rent payment. Then, sit back and relax!
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