Style on a Budget

Simple changes = dramatic results

Would you like to add more elegance and style to your home? Would you like to know how to do it for less money?

You are not alone. Americans spent $343 billion on home enhancement, according to a recent study by the Barnard Retail Consulting Group of Upper Montclair, N.J. So if you are thinking of improving your home decor, you are in good company.

Trends driving today's decorating

People are changing their decor more often than in the past. This is due to the greater pace of life in general, as well as shorter design cycles in other style areas such as clothing fashions.

Consumers are more style and fashion conscious and want to express their individual taste. The Internet, movies, magazines, and TV programs all display a much wider range of home decor style, elements of which consumers want to incorporate into their lives.

People are investing less in decor items. Young people especially, often leave the old decor items behind, rather than pay to move them to their new homes.

Can I decorate without a decorator?

Today, more people than ever are making exciting changes to their homes, and they are doing so without the expense of a professional decorator. If you are thinking of improving your decor you may be wondering:

• Can I make the changes myself?
• Will the results look professional?
• Can I learn about my options?
• Can I make the changes for a reasonable amount of money?

In a word 'yes'! Not only can you successfully decorate your home yourself, there are compelling reasons for doing it yourself. These include:

• Saving money
• Getting exactly what you want
• Implementing the decor changes on a time frame that matches you budget and available time
• Expressing your unique sense of style go high end on one room, more modest on another

Where to find decor ideas:

Home decor trends change often. To find the latest trends:

• Read home design magazines
• Go window-shopping at furniture and design stores
• Talk to in-store designers

Will my new decor work with what I have?

One of the exciting design trends of recent years is the eclectic look - the mixing and matching of various items, fabrics, colors and styles. Many people today typically have an assortment of home furnishings: antique items they inherited, items bought while single, and items chosen as a couple. Today you can combine these in creative and fun ways for a look that is pleasing and uniquely yours. This is quite a contrast to the more stuffy approach of period furniture and decor of the past.

Where do I start?

With the home decor choices available, starting a project can seem a bit intimidating.

Like all successful projects, you need a plan before you start. Consider your objectives. Do you want to add a new piece of furniture or redo a whole room? Rather than get bogged down with reviewing endless possible decor improvements, lets focus on the following four areas that yield impressive results for a reasonable price:

• Paint
• Area rugs
• Furniture
• Lamps

Continued on Next Page > Paint