As a budget decorator, you must be a master at making a little money go a very long way. Through practice, you learn how inexpensive items -- coupled with your creativity -- can produce beautiful decorating results.
But what if your budget if less than small? What if the budget you have to work with is no budget at all? Is there anything you can do? Yes, there is. And it all lies in the art of rearranging the furnishings and accessories that you already have in your home.
In 1998, "Use What You Have Decorating" (by Lauri Ward) was published and became a national bestseller. The book spurred a lot of interest in rearranging as an alternative to expensive redecorating. Suddenly, amateur decorators became privy to what professional interior designers had always known: that "placement" is just as important as the "pieces" used in an environment. There’s even an organization -- Interior Arrangement and Design Association -- dedicated to arranging furniture for optimal decorating results.
So, how do you get started rearranging what you have for a fresh new decor? Try these ideas to get started:
· Find your focus - Every room should have a focal point, whether it be a fireplace, a window, art or something else. Find your focal point, then make sure there’s not a lot in the room that competes with it.
· Don’t be a wallflower - There’s no law that says your sofa or chairs need to be slapped up against a wall. Try angling and positioning furniture differently for a change.
· Define a space - If you’re working with a room that serves multiple purposes, try defining the activity areas. For instance, an area rug can define the living room area, and a room divider screen or two desks placed together to form a 90-degree angle can create a home office out of an empty corner.
· Clear the paths - Does everyone seem to trip over your sofa or knock over a lamp in your living room? If so, you probably have some obstructed path ways. Try moving things so that all paths -- in, out and around furniture -- are clear.
· Create nooks - It’s difficult to hold a conversation with someone who’s on the other side of a large room. To make a large (or awkwardly shaped)space seem cozier, create nooks" where everyone who’s seated can comfortably speak to one another.
· Erase and start over - Each time I get the urge to redecorate, I start by removing accessories and art from a few rooms. I place all the collected items in a general staging area, such as on my living room floor. There, I try to match up items that have never been associated before. A floral print from my bedroom might be paired with candlesticks from my bathroom to create a tabletop vignette for my foyer, for instance. Now it’s your turn -- try to create different groupings and see how this simple trick can transform your space.
