Designing a living room on a budget can seem like a daunting task, but by visiting the many flea markets, auctions, thrift stores and tag sales in your area, you will find many of your key furnishings at a budget-friendly price. Use various crafting skills to create the beautiful living room of your dreams on a budget. You will be surprised at how easy it is to accomplish and you will be proud to show the results to family and friends.
Instructions
1. Take everything out of the living room and paint the walls. Paint is inexpensive and if you are willing to be flexible, most stores have remnant paint. These are usually paints that a customer ordered to have mixed and then didn't like the color. You might find just the right shade for your room at a fraction of the cost, keeping you well within a budget.
2. Take measurements of your living room. Measure doors, windows, spaces between doors and windows and ceiling height. If you will be using any of your existing furniture, measure these pieces also. Gather color samples for your design. These do not necessarily have to be fabric. Free color sample cards from the paint store or small items around your home that have a desired shade you are trying to incorporate in the room will work.
3. Make a list at the flea market, thrift stores, tag sales and auctions in your area. Shop with a wish list of items that you are looking for, but be flexible, fabric and paint are an inexpensive way to fix up a less-than-perfect find. Take a measuring tape to measure the items and compare to your measurements that you took from home. This will ensure you don't end up with something that isn't going to fit your space.
4. Make slip covers from large pieces of fabric. Either drape your chairs or sofa with these materials or sew a slip cover with these materials. Sew easy pillow covers using scraps of fabric to match your décor. Curtain panels that have the basics of color and texture can easily be altered. Visit a local carpet store and ask about carpet remnants. For a fraction of the cost of a new area rug, you can have the edges of a carpet remnant bound.
5. Repaint or refinish end tables and a coffee table to match the décor. Add wood or metal appliqués, medallions or upholstery tacks to give your pieces that extra bit of personality.
6. Create artwork for your living room on a budget using the old frames from outdated pictures and paintings. These frames are not difficult to find if you can look past the art and see the frames. Paint or refinish the frames and place fabric or wallpaper samples inside for wonderful art. Small collectibles can also be framed and it will get them out of your drawers and closets.
Tags: living room, doors windows, fraction cost, living room budget, room budget