By Lauren Flanagan
Family & Living Rooms Expert
Decorating a house can be expensive - very expensive. So why spend where you don't have to? While sometimes splurging on high-quality expensive
items is a good idea, there are plenty of other places where you can
stand to spend a little less. So don't blow your budget by purchasing
top-of-the-line everything. Here's where you can save money on home
decor items.
Area Rugs
Area rugs
come in a wide variety of price points, and if you can afford it go
ahead and spend thousands. But for most of us investing in a high-end
area rug isn't a great idea. Area rugs take a lot of abuse - they're
always getting walked on, furniture gets dragged across them, and stuff
gets spilled all over them. So why spend a lot of money on something
that's so likely to get damaged and need replacing? Inexpensive, stylish
rugs are now available at low price points at all kinds of big box
stores and specialty furniture stores, so finding something to suit your
home and budget shouldn't be difficult.
Lighting
As a general rule, lighting does not need to be expensive. While you may want to spend more on a special statement piece, the general illumination
for any room can be purchased for a fairly low price. Cheap and
cheerful table lamps, floor lamps and overhead fixtures can be found at
all kinds of big box furniture stores so there's no need to spend a
fortune at a boutique store. And keep in mind that you can always
customize them with things like paint, or you can simply add ribbon or
fabric details to shades to make them suit your home a little more.
Side Tables
Large,
significant pieces of furniture such as sofas and dining tables should
not be bought on the cheap, but smaller pieces can be. It seems like
side tables and even coffee tables are a dime a dozen these days and
they can be purchased just about anywhere. If you find something that
suits your style for a cheap price then snatch them up. Side tables just
kind of sit there and look pretty so the quality and construction isn't
all that important.
Hardware
Updating hardware
on furniture and cabinets can have a huge impact on a space, and the
good news is that it doesn't have to be expensive. Specialty stores will
charge a fortune for it, but big box stores have decent selections and
keep the prices low. You can also visit vintage stores and buy online
from sites like Ebay.
Accessories
Decorative accessories such as vases, picture frames, decorative boxes and other objets
are what really give a home personality, but that doesn't mean they
have to break the bank. Accessorize bookcases, mantels and tables with
items that have meaning rather than those that have expensive price
tags.
Throw Pillows
Throw pillows
might just be the perfect home accent. They add color, pattern,
texture, and comfort to just about any space. They’re also very
powerful – they have the ability to change the look and feel of a room
instantly. And the good news is you don't have to spend a fortune on
them. Stick with inexpensive pillows and you'll be able to switch them
around and change the look and feel of your room as often as you like.
Knowing
where to save on home decor items is important, but it's equally
important to know where to spend the extra money on high quality items.
For more information check out these home decor items worth splurging on.
source: about.com
