Room Redo - Fabulous Decorating Ideas on the Cheap

In a world when every other television channel claims to have the newest, freshest, or coolest home design show, it is inevitable that we would want to use their ideas in our own homes. The biggest caveat however is usually money. No longer do we have to pine away for those new designer pillow shams or the hot new room accessory, because you can make it. Now all of you, who are whining, stop it! It is not necessary to be a "creative person" to make neat things.

First assess what it is about your room that needs updated, remade, or just taken out altogether. Second, create your idea book of things you like. Take advantage of paint chips at home improvement stores, the paint departments at Lowe's and Wal-Mart nearly faint when I walk in. Tear ideas from magazines (not from the one's at the library, please), and take notes from your favorite shows. Third, look at the items you already own and try to re-imagine them into the things you want.

Three great projects to try no matter how "creative" you are:

Lampshade Face-lift

Love your lamp, but hate the shade? This is an easy fix. First, give it a fresh coat of paint. I strongly recommend using spray paint (proper ventilation is a good thing, even if you like the feeling you get from spray painting in your closet), spraying in broad sweeping strokes (pretend you are the Queen waiving to the people, just without the can pointed at your face the way she holds her hand...) from at least 8 inches away to avoid drips. Love it just painted? Then leave it.

If you want to add some pizazz, then it is time to accessorize. From ribbon to feathers to beaded fringe, the glue gun is your friend. Wrap decorator ribbon to create stripes, folding the ribbon over the top and bottom and gluing to the inside. If your shade is pleated, glue skinny ribbon (you could also use yarn, twine, or even twigs) into the pleats for a clever dimensional stripe.

Remember that you can use the same techniques no matter your style. A linen shade striped with black grosgrain ribbon looks very classy, while the same shade with silk gerbera daisies in bold colors glued randomly could be a hit with your teen or tween daughter.

Renter's Walls