Frugally fabulous: how to redecorate your house

Are you tired of your home’s same old look? Your home is your castle, but what if you don’t have the budget of a king? Take the budget of a pauper to spruce up your palace with these frugally fabulous tips to freshen up your home.

A spring cleaning isn’t just for when the weather is warm- it sets the stage for reviving your home’s look any time. A clean home’s features are highlighted and its residents stay healthy. Even those without allergies can feel ill due to accumulating dust, so be on the lookout for secret armies of dust bunnies. Be sure to look near any appliance wires, under beds, on top of cabinets and on ceiling fans to annihilate the culprit.

A no-cost way of redecorating your home is rearranging the furniture. This can totally transform the way a room feels. If you live in a two-story home, examine the furniture you have on both levels as well as any furniture in storage. Your rearrangement might include moving a lamp or coffee table from the second floor to the first floor and vice versa.

Walk around your home and think about how you feel when you enter each room. Do you feel cheerful in some rooms and somber in others? There’s a psychology to color. We all know that yellow is a cheerful color and red is a passionate, fiery color. If color can affect your mood, then how is it impacting the mood in your home? Consider switching the paint color in one room for an easy impact. Stop by a paint store and ask for samples so you’ll know what type of paint color you can live with.

During the winter months, many people find themselves tired or sluggish due to the cold and darkness. Take advantage of the sunlight that does arrive and the beautiful views of falling snow. Dark drapes are good for bedrooms because light can interrupt sleep, but in other portions of your home, consider upgrading to window blinds and curtains that allow sunshine to enter. Sunlight graces your home with natural elegance and using natural light instead of electricity can reduce your energy bill.

Does your house feel like a home? If not, it might be missing the ambiance you need to relax. What comforts signal that this is your special retreat? Gardeners may enjoy a plant or two that can endure an indoor climate. Candles add a touch of warmth and a pleasant scent, depending on what you choose. Soft rugs placed on hardwood floors provide decoration and warmth for cold feet.

Want to make money without working? Clean out your closet. If you have clothing, housewares, appliances, videos or other items that are new or in good condition, contact a consignment shop to see what items will be accepted. De-cluttering your home saves you time by giving you less items to keep track of. You can free up space in your kitchen, laundry room and basement. Items that won’t be accepted by a consignment shop can be donated to a charity such as the Salvation Army or Goodwill.

How to know when it’s time to let an item go? Chances are, if you haven’t used it in the past year, and it isn’t a special event item, you probably won’t need it in the future. While there are exceptions to this rule, such as sentimental items or family heirlooms, this rule will help you decide what to keep and what to sell.

As you re-decorate, you may find that you want or need something to make your space look or feel better. Here are some cheap ways to re-decorate to find new items for your home:

• Look in your storage area before you buy. If you need a file cabinet to store important paperwork, for instance, you might be surprised to find that you already have one if you take the time to go through your storage space first. Remember the saying, "Out of sight, out of mind." It's easy to forget that you have something, if you don't constantly see it.
• Department stores aren't your only option. Look for yard sales, garage sales, sales at church festivals during the summer, consignment shops such as Goodwill or Salvation Army, estate auctions and flea markets. Sometimes items will still have manufacturer's tags on them; other times, items will be used. Don't be afraid to negotiate in these situations as sellers are often willing to lower their prices.
• When buying from a retail store, do your research first. Coupons and sales are all too easy to find, as most stores have a website, Facebook page or ad that lets you know when it's the cheapest time to buy or what the best deals are. Websites also make comparing prices to save money that much easier.