Living Room Designs

Home decoration

Shopping

The biggest mistakes people make in shopping for home furnishings and decorations have to do with timing and location. Before heading off to the department store, ask yourself what they have to offer you. Is there a holiday sale going on? Have you seen "Everything Must Go!" ads in the local paper because they are going out of business or relocating? If not, you may want to put off your shopping spree or look elsewhere. The truth is that most stores mark up their home decor merchandise throughout the year so that they can offer incredible prices on occasion. By waiting until July fourth or Black Friday, you could save yourself hundreds of dollars and get incredible items.

On the other hand, you may not need to go to a department store at all. Consider veering away from your usual favorites and opting for stores like Big Lots and even your local dollar store. These businesses offer exceptionally low prices year round, either because they buy the overstock of other stores or because they specialize in affordable "knock-offs" of what you would find at other retail shops. It is not uncommon to find beautiful centerpieces, wall hangings, plant stands, and even window treatments at these places for a fraction of what you would pay elsewhere. Just remember to carefully inspect the quality of every item you buy at discount centers to make sure it will hold up over time.

Last, but certainly not least, hit local yard sales and flea markets. Here you will find unique items, though perhaps rough around the edges that will give your living room a personal flair. Apart from decorations, these events often have necessities like coffee tables, couches, and rugs at the lowest prices. An added benefit is that you are free to haggle. For instance, if you crave that vintage washing pitcher but do not like the price, you can strike a deal. "If you throw in the hanging ivy for that price, I'll take it!"

Make it Yourself

If your finances are still pinched after these tips, consider exploring your crafty side. Believe it or not, you can transform the "junk" in your attic into unique and beautiful home decor
items for virtually nothing in this way. Consider, for example, the rickety old nightstand you have not bothered to take to the dump. With some fresh paint and a few screws, it can join your living room furniture as a novel side table. If your husband considers himself a handyman, you could even recruit him to build a coffee table from scratch. Refinish old picture frames and fill them with magazine cutouts or even your own work to decorate the walls. Instead of buying new curtains, replace them with ones you have sewn yourself. It only takes a few dollars worth of fabric and basic sewing skills to completely revive your view. If you cannot find a centerpiece you like (or can afford), create one by arranging dried flowers in an attractive vase or basket. The possibilities are endless once you get your creative juices flowing.