topic Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips in Home

Inexpensive Decor Tips

feline groovy — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 15:52:13 GMT

I live in a small rental apartment where everything is neutral, of course.

Since I have a very tight budget, I mainly use everyday items for decor -

* to add color (vibrant) & contrast

* to add texture, pattern, & whimsy.

These items are always in my view, so the whole effect is one that I can enjoy on a daily basis.

* Kitchen/bath towels & cloths

* Quilt/comforter/blanket

* Reading backrest

* Throw blanket

* Shower curtain

* Bath mat

* Shower cap

* Bathroom tumbler

* Hand soap dispenser

* Dish drying mat

* Placemats

* Electric kettle/stove kettle

* Dish soap dispenser

* Fridge memo board

* Refrigerator magnets

* Radio/cd boombox

* Books that I've read and want to

Feel free to share your own practical decor ideas and experiences.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Oznell — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 03:11:22 GMT

I love your list, @feline groovy . I too like finding things that are both useful and pleasing to look at around the house too. I found a well-designed personal water carafe with tumbler, in heavy glass, that I also like to see sitting out.

Throw blankets, squishy toss pillows for the couch, cozy rugs, a handsome roomy tray to sit on the coffee table to corral my candles and other decor, a carved box that hides my remotes, tall, good-looking wooden salt and pepper grinders on kitchen table are a few of mine...

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Nonametoday — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 04:02:47 GMT

I use a rusted (probably intentional) basket for holding extra rolls of toilet tissue in my bathroom.

DH has one of those metal stands with rolls of paper

In the guest bathroom, I have a rabbit statuary that I have painted and antiqued which stands about 30 inches tall that holds 2-3 extra rolls of tissue paper.

One DIL has a very pretty basket, like chicken wire on a fainting couch at the foot of her bed (she is a knitter) with various colors of pretty yarn in it and because it is a chicken-wire look, it all shows through in the beautiful pastel colors.

I use one of those passementerie curtain tiebacks from the past (same color of blue as my bowels) to "corral" my towels in some kind of order: bath to face towels in a stack in the guest bathroom. I like that word, Oznell.

I have a wooden tray with metal handles to display my oils, vinegar, salt & pepper containers, a tall glass/metal container of spagetti, a short glass/metal lid for sugar, just the things I use everyday and/or most often. Behind it stands a piece of art (still life by one of our children).

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

feline groovy — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 04:05:59 GMT

Thanks, @Oznell.

I love your items as well, and especially your "useful and pleasing" motto.

Your posts are always interesting and I like checking them out. 8)

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Foxxee — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 18:47:43 GMT

I make dried arrangements from drying flowers from my garden and certain weeds I pick up along the side of the road where I walk. Hydrangeas, roses, and peonies, dry very well.

My neighbor has tall ornamental grasses she gives me in the Fall when she cuts them back.

I also look for anything interesting to add from local thrift stores. One time, long curly wood branches and dried eucalyptus stems.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Foxxee — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:03:04 GMT

I like plants around the house, even the kitchen. One day I was taking a walk when I spotted a lot of philodendron in a trash can sitting near the curb; which makes anything located there free to anyone who wants it. It was still very fresh, so I grabbed some of it and headed home.

Didn't have the right vases, so I went to the thrift shops, found some for 50 cents to a dollar. Cut the long vines into shorter pieces. Put them in the colorful vases filled with water, put two in the kitchen and one in every bathroom. I trim them off when they grow too long.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Foxxee — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 10:41:43 GMT

I like to nosy around thrift stores and flea markets sometimes very surprised at what I find. I found a like new Ralph Lauren throw pillow for $1.99 just like the one I have on one of my sofas that I paid plenty. Washed the cover and replaced the insert pillow for a few dollars. Now, I have matching pillows on either side of the sofa.

I'd say the bed is the focal point in bedrooms, so I pay attention to coverings.

I love Ralph Lauren. Thanks to ebay, over time, I was able to find everything new in original packaging, no defects, that I wanted saving hundreds of dollars.

There are secrets buying this way though. Often several sellers will offer the same thing. Check all the prices. One or two will be lower than others.

After a time, most sellers will eventually begin to lower their prices. Keep a close eye because one may decide to just get rid of something and lower the price a lot. Make sure you are there to grab it. This is how I purchased a lot of my Ralph Lauren and of course, it applies to anything, not just Ralph.

It requires patience and willing to take the risk to get the lowest prices. You still can get good prices if you want something right away.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Etoile308 — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 05:49:45 GMT

Photo framed with the same frames, and different shades of matting to add splashes of color.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

qvcfreak — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 06:45:25 GMT

I add color using throw pillows, curtains, swags, placemats and bedspreads.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

PamfromCT — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 12:51:38 GMT

I think you are smart to think things out before you start buying. What is your favorite color? I would stick with tones of that throughout your home, starting with high impact areas of that color. Your bedspread, throw pillows, etc. You may even think of painting a little piece of furniture in that color.

You can keep your eyes open for inexpensive little accessories. Plants are wonderful, and check out places like Etsy for many things. You can find some pretty prints to frame for your walls, etc., there. Good luck with outfitting your new home. And remember that some people with big wallets have terrible taste. Your good taste will show. I do remember my DD’s first place out of college - it was darling.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

software — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:42:03 GMT

I leave out small Christmas decorations year round.

None of them scream Christmas, for example I have a few tiny nutcrackers tucked away in random places. If you came into the room, you may not notice but I know they're there and it makes me happy

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

caroln242 — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 13:46:31 GMT

@Nonametoday wrote:
I use a rusted (probably intentional) basket for holding extra rolls of toilet tissue in my bathroom.

DH has one of those metal stands with rolls of paper

In the guest bathroom, I have a rabbit statuary that I have painted and antiqued which stands about 30 inches tall that holds 2-3 extra rolls of tissue paper.

One DIL has a very pretty basket, like chicken wire on a fainting couch at the foot of her bed (she is a knitter) with various colors of pretty yarn in it and because it is a chicken-wire look, it all shows through in the beautiful pastel colors.

I use one of those passementerie curtain tiebacks from the past (same color of blue as my bowels) to "corral" my towels in some kind of order: bath to face towels in a stack in the guest bathroom. I like that word, Oznell.

I have a wooden tray with metal handles to display my oils, vinegar, salt & pepper containers, a tall glass/metal container of spagetti, a short glass/metal lid for sugar, just the things I use everyday and/or most often. Behind it stands a piece of art (still life by one of our children).

I hope your bowels aren't blue!!! Sorry, that typo was just too good to pass up! Thanks for my "laugh of the day"!

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

RetRN — Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:22:02 GMT

I do not like anything on the refrigerator. That is a pet peeve of mine.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

ECBG — Fri, 12 Feb 2021 23:56:36 GMT

I use antique baskets for many things. In the winter a large basket has pine cones, a small basket over 100 years old has paper napkins. An antique sewing chest holds some Christmas items in it's sides.

I also save all of those ribbon lingerie hanging straps in tops and loop them through Christmas tree ornaments.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

jannabelle1 — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 00:31:53 GMT

I love pretty crystal or glass bowls - small to medium - and have found some expensive brands (Tiffany for example) for next to nothing at garage sales and thrift shops. I use them around my house to hold things like cotton balls in a bathroom, colorful small stones from hobby stores, m&m's or wrapped candy, my rings by a sink, etc.

I like to use inexpensive larger planters or containers in colorful ceramic for trash cans in my bathrooms. Taller planters or similar sized containers are fairly easy to find at hobby stores and make great trash cans that are always more attractive than a plastic trash can.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

ALRATIBA — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 01:34:08 GMT

My color scheme is black, white and red with animal accents. Those are "my" colors - and the colors of the clothes I wear most frequently. (Even my eyeglass frames are red!)

Kitchen - it's white - but red is the predominant color for appliances. Pots are red enamel. Dish mat is red. Curtain is sheer red panel. Western exposure - so when sun is going down, the kitchen has a red glow.

Bedroom - black is predominant with leopard carpet.

Dining room - black and white with zebra carpet.

Living room is black furniture with red carpet and animal accents.

Bathroom - everything in there is either black, white, red or animal. (Colgate Toothpaste is in a red tube.)

Anything I add is either red or black, or silver or bronze for metals, colorless or red glass. I wouldn't buy anythng else.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Nonametoday — Sat, 13 Feb 2021 02:44:20 GMT

@jannabelle1 wrote:
I love pretty crystal or glass bowls - small to medium - and have found some expensive brands (Tiffany for example) for next to nothing at garage sales and thrift shops. I use them around my house to hold things like cotton balls in a bathroom, colorful small stones from hobby stores, m&m's or wrapped candy, my rings by a sink, etc.

I like to use inexpensive larger planters or containers in colorful ceramic for trash cans in my bathrooms. Taller planters or similar sized containers are fairly easy to find at hobby stores and make great trash cans that are always more attractive than a plastic trash can.

@jannabelle1

I love that idea for the trash cans in the bathrooms. I am going to copy that. I have a collection of blue & white plates that I had considered putting over the window at my soaking tub. I can take that large blue & white fish bowl that I have in storage and use it for a trash disposer. Now I need to find blue & white Kleenex tissue cover and get some blue & white braid and sew onto white towels.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Nonametoday — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 04:32:26 GMT

It is very difficult nowadays to afford frames for artwork. I have some artists in my family and wish to frame their artwork. I rarely get originals. I get copies of artwork so I like to keep it under glass. I go to flea markets and come out with some of the ugliest artwork and most beautiful frames you ever laid eyes on. If the frame is not an exact size match, I know about matting. Good luck with rummaging around flea markets and garage, yard sales, etc.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

Nonametoday — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 04:51:22 GMT

Baskets are the best thing since sliced bread. I like to keep magazines and there is not enough room for all the magazines I hoard. Baskets! The bigger the better and the more they hold. Do you know what a good magazine costs nowadays and the same ideas in design are being recycled. This global chic they are calling it at Restoration Hardware that is becoming cookie cutter in all designers' homes. It is nothing more than what I did in the 1970s with contemporary furnishings and trips to Pier 1 and World Bazaar.

That was after I had abandoned my midcentury modern in favor of Early American which I replaced with French Provincial. By the time I had finished the contemporary of the 1970s and went for good European furnishings, I learned to take a little from that era and something from that continent over there and the one down there and have a well-collected home filled with memories of the places we had traveled, particularly with Uncle Sam.

The same designers that told you that "shabby chic" was a must have and later told you "no, no, no..." those are the same designers that led you into the French cottage and then to industrial and now they are telling you that bohemian is out and global chic is in. These designs are recycled through the decades.

You can incorporate pieces from French country, English cottage, contemporary, and traditional into an eclectic of places you may or may not have (but wanted to) travel to. Just do it with taste and it will make you look so superior to those people that are refinancing their homes to buy the same thing from Restoration Hardware and Pottery Barn that is being sold at Home Goods and TJM and while some of those shoppers are spending grocery money to buy this, just go to your local Target, Home Goods and TJMaxx and perusing some of the designs of the real high-end designers like Charles Faudree and many others and find a thing or two here and there that you can incorporate. Don't fill your home with piles of African artifact, geodes from every continent, pieces of metal shaped into figurines, sea shells and coffee mugs with "cafe' printed on them or signage saying "Home Sweet Home"... etc.

You don't need a home filled with tchotchkes all about or to change your interior like you change cars. Buy traditional furnishings that will stand the test of time and most of that will be found in antique stores, flea markets and your local consignment shops. Go to Miami or Tampa where many people with money go to retire and they die and their children put all that beautiful furniture they brought from the Northeast in consignment shops, antique shops and flea markets. Other good places to find great furnishings from the past at good prices is in and around Hickory, North Carolina and guess why? That was where real furniture was made and it didn't come in on a boat with chinoserie.

Re: Inexpensive Decor Tips

PamfromCT — Thu, 18 Feb 2021 07:54:40 GMT

I don’t know where you live, but in Connecticut there are many “estate sales” offered when people pass on to eternity or to retirement living. Many higher end things are offered for sale.

We are still in our original family home, filled with things that make us happy. Our home is Early American, with varying degrees of formality. We do have some items from our travels, which remind us of happy times. Lots of books, and more decor around that most people have. Collections gained over a lifetime.

In short, your home is your sanctuary. Your place where you can have whatever you want to make you happy. Your tastes do evolve over time depending on your interests. Enjoy the journey.