Apartment Decorating

In today’s economy everybody is spending less, but wanting more. So how can you get your apartment to have that "Designer look" for less?

First, DIY or Do it yourself. You can save tons of money if you can do it yourself. Visit your local book stores or library and you’ll see hundreds of books on home decorating ideas and do-it-yourself projects.

Start collecting design magazines and clip out the pictures of rooms you like. Study your pictures, observe the different architectural features like windows, fireplaces, recessed ceilings and decorative crown mouldings in the space.

Also note the different furniture styles used within the space, window treatments, upholstery fabrics and floor selections. Study the lighting that was selected, rugs and home décor accessories. Ask yourself, what did you like most or least about these?

Keep a decorating file on hand to inspire and delight your creative senses. Take the pictures with you when you go shopping to keep you on track with the style you are searching for.

Take a trip to your local Lowe’s and Home Depot stores to see all the DIY books and magazines they carry to help you get started. They also have special classes to teach you how. DIY doesn’t sound so scary now, right?

Second, start with one room and third, stick to your budget. Sounds easy? Well, in fact it’s easier than you think. I think what really hangs people up is that they are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the project. That’s why I say start with one room. It’ll be much easier on the budget.

Did I say "budget". Don’t fret. It’s not such a dirty word. And in this tough economy, even the rich have a budget. You can decorate these days on a very tight budget. It’s just learning how to be smart and creative.

(I would like to inject at this point that if you are considering on hiring the help of an expert instead of doing it yourself, make sure to ask the expert for referrals of customers they have helped in the past. Hire only reliable, reputable contractors and ones that guarantee their work. Get a contract in writing. I am not responsible for who you hire. Do your homework!)

However, if you are going to do this yourself, and YES YOU CAN, you will need to evaluate your budget, which will be determined by if you are doing the whole apartment, or room by room.

Other factors to consider to stay within your budget are the size of the room, the design theme or style you want to achieve, what needs to be replaced or repaired, and furniture, fixtures or accessories you will need to purchase.

Apartment decorating is fun and exciting. You can make any home spectacular, inviting and comfortable, no matter what the size. So let’s get started. First, analyze the room you will decorate and determine what it is that you like and don’t like about the space.

Now think about your personal style you would like to achieve in the space. If you’re not sure what your personal decorating style is, shop a few furniture stores and designer showcases in your area. They group comfortable settings together called "vignettes", pronounced "vin-yets" in different styles.

This will help you determine the styles you like and don’t like. You’ll begin to affirm what strongly appeals to you and what doesn’t. And what you would like to incorporate into your own space.

Now, ask yourself these questions:

What do I feel most comfortable in? Do I like formal or informal? Casual or elegance? Traditional or contemporary? Your personal style is an expression of who you are, what you like, your tastes, your moods, your life experiences, travel, education and so forth. It shows YOU, by way of color, texture and style, just by what we display in our spaces.

Color is another factor to consider in your design theme. You’ll want to pay close attention to what colors excite you and make you comfortable, happy, or even sad. Are you drawn toward warm colors like reds and yellows? Or cool colors, like blues and greens?

Besides the furniture stores, you can also get great home decorating ideas by surfing the Internet. With just a simple click of your mouse the world of decorating is opened up to you. You can get decorating ideas, hire experts, get DIY project ideas and purchase the products you want, all through the amazing world of online technology.

You’ll be simply amazed at the many online stores that cater to your budget. From flooring, walls and windows, to window treatments, furniture and accessories, you’ll get tons of great ideas, as well as great prices you can afford, to start your journey on your apartment decorating.

Cost Cutting Ideas

To get the best deals and stay within your budget, shop these places:

Craig’s List, Ebay, Amazon, Overstock, Second-hand stores, consignment shops, garage sales, flea markets, auctions, friends that throw stuff out, garbage bins (yes, it’s amazing the "new" stuff that is thrown out every day!)