In hard times such as these, some may have to look within one's own home to spice up the décor. Here are five suggestions that may give you some ideas.

1. Rearrange your furniture. Around Christmastime, I like to reassess the arrangement of my furniture in relation to the Christmas tree and then I keep the new layout for the following year, but you don't have to wait for a holiday to start considering a change in your space. And remember—oftentimes, less is more. Use this time to take some of those knickknacks off the shelf and then possibly moving the shelf into the hall or another room entirely (or the garage).

2. What is beneath your carpet? Is is cement? 2x4's? Or are you one of the lucky ones to have hardwood? If you are, then study the quality of the wood and assess the amount of effort it would take to make it meet your approval. Some people sand them, but others find that if you use screening or a buffing machine, you can scuff away the scratches. Who the heck has a buffing machine on-hand, though? I don't, but I know of a few people in my Church that do. Consider the resources of friends and be prepared to repay their kindness with an act of service. Don't have such friends, some DIY kits now have liquid sanders that chemically sand the finish. Don't forget to reapply the clear urethane coat!

3. Get a fresh perspective. Ask a friend to come over and give ideas, go to an open home/model home and study what you like/dislike about the arrangement of furniture and such—you might be amazed at some of the ideas that come to you that you are able to do with the things you already own.

4. Look in your garage, attic, and closet for ideas. Maybe you forgot about that small wall table you picked up from the yard sale down the street or that box of old photographs you've been meaning to sort through. Changing out your existing pictures for new ones is a simple way to give your eyes something new to view and ponder on your wall. Adding or exchanging furniture for ones that you've forgotten about or simply opening a yard sale of your own are good ways to spruce up your home and possibly your wallet.

5. We all know that a little paint can go a long way at revitalizing a room, but unless you have enough paint on-hand, money will stop your progress. If painting is what you desire, have no fear. Yard sales are great if you have a lot of items you don't mind parting with, but what if you only have a few in mind? Have no fear—websites such as ebay and craigslist are excellent ways to place your select wares for sale. Note: If listing online, be sure to review how others are listing and selling like items to help increase the likelihood of your own success and always practice caution (i.e. take time to review internet safety tips and techniques).

Just because hard times have trimmed your wallet and limited your view, does not mean you can't change the view within your home without opening your wallet. Sure, you may not be able to upgrade from carpet to tile and crown your moldings, but as you can see, that doesn't mean other options are not available to you.