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Friday, June 30, 2017


How to give a room a new look without breaking the bank


(MS)—Re- decorating a room or an entire house can change the entire feel of the space dra- matically. But an un- predictable economy has made


many consumers a little more particular when it comes to spending on home decor. Changing elements in a room does not have to be expensive. A few updated piec- es or accessories can give a room an en- tirely new look without breaking the bank. Slipcovers


Slipcovers are no longer the amorphous sacks they once were. Slipcovers now come in all different price points. Spend- ing a little more can mean getting a style that is elasticized or form-fitting, which will conform to the contours of a sofa or love seat. This is a simple way to cover up an outdated style of sofa fabric or a chair that has seen better days. Slipcovers also are a good way to protect new couches from damage when there are children or pets in the home. To get the right slipcover, measure the piece of furniture you intend to cover.


Without the correct fit, even a well-crafted slipcover can look awkward and cheap. Pay attention to the material of the slip- cover, so you know it will be durable and thick enough to cover an existing sofa fab- ric pattern.


Knobs and Pulls


Breathe new life into older furniture by changing the knobs, draw pulls and handles. Many times furniture comes with standard brass knobs that can look dated over time. Using sleeker, more stream- lined knobs can make traditional furniture look more modern. Changing pulls from metal to wood can make a room look more earthy or country.


Home improvement stores and accesso- ry retailers stock a wide variety of handles and knobs that can transform just about any piece of furniture. And what cannot be found in a store can most likely be pur- chased online. Paint or Stain Painting a room’s walls a different color can provide immediate results. But furni- ture also can be painted and stained. Many times older furniture is made from quality wood, not the type of composite or press- board wood of some less expensive furni- ture options. That means that finishes can be stripped and replaced with new stains. Turn a dated dresser into something that looks brand new with a new stain color or a coat of paint.


Think about painting or staining using foam sponges to reduce the appearance of brush lines. Accessorize


Swapping out curtains, throw pillows and even wall art can easily and often in- expensively transform the look of a room. Homeowners can purchase accessories with bright colors that add a pop of bright- ness throughout the room and can provide a pick-me-up for neutral design tones. Older lamps can be given a new look just by replacing lamp shades. There are many affordable options at discount stores and major retailers.


Area rugs can also transform a room with little effort. Bring in a new color scheme with a different patterned rug and carry the pattern to stairways with run- ners.


Bare Minimum


Sometimes less is more, and this can also pertain to home decorating. Revamp- ing a room can be done by subtraction as well as addition. Homeowners can explore the option of taking out a piece of furniture that may be cumbersome and blocking foot traffic. Removing knickknacks from shelves and thinning out the use of collect- ibles can make a room more airy and in- viting. Before money is spent on changing furniture or accessories, people can look into what they can remove from the room to freshen it up.


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