ComputerHunter.org

 

Budget Decorating - What Is It?


Budget decorating. You see this phrase a lot but what does it mean? Does it mean the same thing to you that it does to me? Probably not, and here's why.

The term "decorating" is easy to understand; it concerns making something (a room, a space) prettier, better organized, more functional, more esthetically pleasing. Okay so far.

It's when we start talking "budget" that the confusion sets in. For instance, I have a friend who thinks following a budget means scrimping on 350 count sheets instead her favorite 700 count set. Me, I like to keep food on the table, gas in the car, and the cable modem hooked up. My decorating budget is what's left over, unless it's close to the holidays when that becomes my gift budget.

You may have a zero dollar budget (been there, my friend). You can still re-arrange your space, clean and de-clutter it, and look around your house for items to use in new, more effective, or unusual ways. You can create a pleasant, comfortable area without taking out a home equity loan or borrowing against the college fund.

Budget decorating is really about getting the most value and impact for whatever dollars you have available to spend on decorating. Put like that, it's not such a difficult concept, is it?

Budget decorating does not mean buying the cheapest of everything or making do with uncomfortable or inconvenient furnishings because they haven't fallen into pieces yet. It does involve some stretching of the imagination to see the potential in a marked down can of yellowish paint of a slightly odd hue that just happens to coordinate with another marked down length of fabric. It also helps to be willing to embrace various decorating styles. Eclectic is the budget decorator's friend!

It's important to spend your money on the most important items first. If you're decorating a bedroom, make sure that you have the best mattress you can afford. Stunning draperies lose some of their charm when viewed after a night of tossing and turning on a lumpy mattress. If it's a home office that you feel the need to spiff up, think about the desk and the desk chair. Oak filing cabinets look wonderful, but if I have to choose between sufficient room to work and a fancy filing system, I'll stick with my painted metal cabinets, thank you very much.

My decorating budget may be less than your budget, and it's certainly less than my friend's budget, and that's okay. Each of us can work within our means to create spaces that reflect our style and outlook on our world. When we sit back to enjoy our newly decorated rooms, we can do so with the satisfaction of knowing that there's still enough money left over for brownies!

LaJoyce Kerns is the creator of the website: http://www.decorate-bedrooms-for-less.com. She provides tips, ideas and techniques on decorating bedrooms for real people. LaJoyce believes that you can achieve beautiful results without breaking the budget, whatever your budget might be.







Google News - Top Stories

Fresh News

Wells Fargo may be surprised by its credit losses
Reuters - 1 hour ago
By Dan Wilchins - Analysis NEW YORK (Reuters) - Wells Fargo & Co (WFC.N: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) has gotten through the credit crunch so far smelling like a rose, but a skunk may yet cross its path.
Wells Fargo CEO will try to retain Wachovia staff International Herald Tribune
Wachovia CEO will not stay on with Wells Bizjournals.com
guardian.co.uk - CNNMoney.com - Forbes - San Francisco Chronicle
all 1,176 news articles


Reuters

Candidates ready for Hofstra debate
Newsday - 1 hour ago
Hofstra University is set to play host Wednesday night to what may be John McCain's last chance to slow the momentum of presidential front-runner Barack Obama.
Barack Obama, John McCain Face Off in Final Presidential Debate ... ABC News
Liveblogging the final presidential debate guardian.co.uk
Kansas City Star - Washington Post - CNN Political Ticker - New York Times Blogs
all 988 news articles


Washington Post

Thai, Cambodia armies to meet after border battle
Reuters - 52 minutes ago
By Chor Sokunthea PREAH VIHEAR, Cambodia (Reuters) - Thai and Cambodian military commanders prepared for talks across their disputed border on Thursday after the most serious clash in years left two Cambodian soldiers dead and 10 Thais in Cambodian ...
Deadly fighting erupts at Thai-Cambodian border International Herald Tribune
Talks on Thai-Cambodia temple row BBC News
Bloomberg - Financial Times - New York Times - Radio Free Asia
all 1,653 news articles


The Republican - MassLive.com

Patrick orders spending, job cuts to close deficit
Boston Globe - 3 hours ago
By Steve LeBlanc AP Political Writer / October 15, 2008 BOSTON—Gov. Deval Patrick, struggling to close a $1.4 billion budget hole brought on by plunging tax revenues, said Wednesday he would eliminate up to 1000 jobs and order state agencies to make ...
UPDATE 1-Massachusetts to cut 1000 jobs, slash budget Reuters
State cutting life sciences, clean energy, educ. Bizjournals.com
Bloomberg - Martha's Vineyard Times - WHDH-TV - Boston Herald
all 102 news articles


Sydney Morning Herald

Residents file back in as LA fire fears diminish
The Associated Press - 1 hour ago
LOS ANGELES (AP) - Residents of the San Fernando Valley breathed air free of smoke and ash for the first time in four days Wednesday under brilliant blue skies.
Air tankers delayed as Cal fire season reawakens San Jose Mercury News
Flaming Squirrel Blamed for Northern California Wildfire FOXNews
AFP - San Diego Union Tribune - KSBY - KFVS
all 6,731 news articles

Google
 

Copyright © 2006 Computer Hunter - A Division of Arthur´s Job Base