I love the idea of giving my apartment a makeover, but I hate spending money, especially when I’m trying to budget for vacation. Maybe it’s the sunshine or the fresh air or the warmer temperatures, but something about spring brings out the spruce-up bug in me. So I’m always looking for easy ways to freshen up without breaking the bank. Here are a few of my favorite ideas:
Change out photos: One of the easiest ways to add new life to a room is to swap out old photographs. Spring is a great time to bust out the school photos you’ve been meaning to frame. Take a look at the last year and pull out fun photos of your kids now. It’s simple, quick and pretty cheap.
Rearrange your furniture: It’s amazing how moving a dresser or table from one room to another can change the flow of your home. Consider repurposing old furniture for new uses. For example, an old bedside table can be painted or covered with a pretty fabric and used in your living room or craft room.
Think cheap: I’m a huge fan of the dollar store. Granted a lot of what they sell is worth about as much as it costs, but you can find some funky items to bring life into your room without paying very much. Keep an eye out for cool vases, cheap flower arrangements (a good hand can make cloth flowers pop) and fun photo frames. Occasionally you can get a decent deal on throw rugs and throw pillows too.
Create your own artwork: You can buy small canvases for as little as $2 at craft stores and hanging hooks for less than $3. Break out your mad (or hopeful) art skills and create your own masterpiece. This is a great idea for family night or a fun way to spend a quiet afternoon. Creating your own artwork saves you tons of cash and you can match the painting to the color scheme of your home.
Rearrange your bookshelves: This may only apply to book nerds like myself who own at least three bookshelves full of books… Instead of arranging your books straight up and down by size, consider mismatching sizes for a funky look. Turn some flat and stack them up or arrange them by color. If you have a touch of nitpickiness, it might drive your crazy but if a slightly disarrayed look won’t drive you bonkers, it’s a super easy way to add a pop to a room.
Think outside the box: Hit the nearest thrift shop and dig up some funky colorful dishes or cool records. Use the colorful plates or records as wall decorations. Thrift shops are a great place to find cheap items to decorate with.
Swap lamp shades: You can purchase new lampshades for less than $5. Some craft stores even sell lampshades you can decorate yourself. This simple quick fix paired with a new table cloth can change the feel of a room.
How do you spruce up your place on the cheap?
Photo Credit: Thinkstock
