Sometimes the need to redecorate a room doesn’t line up with when the budget allows for a full makeover. In those times, it’s good to have a few budget friendly ideas to spruce up the space. These seven tips are things that can be done even when funds are tight.
If you found a piece of furniture in another room that can work based on the shape and size, but it doesn’t quite match, consider painting the furniture. This is also a great option for updating old wood furniture that you’ve had in the room for years, or even furniture that you just found at a thrift store or rummage sale. Changing the color of furniture with spray paint is a quick and easy way to give it an entirely new look in less than a day’s time.
When determining if a piece of furniture can be painted, look for pieces that have good structure and very few flaws to the shape. When you paint, gouges and scratches can become more pronounced, so if you find a few imperfections, fill them with wood filler and sand them smooth before painting. If you are painting metal furniture, make sure to sand off any rust spots to ensure the rust doesn’t spread after you complete the makeover.
3 – Paint the Walls
If you want to make a bigger impact in a space, consider investing in a can or two of paint. Many rooms can be completed with one can of paint, but for more drastic color changes (like from white walls to dark blue walls or vise versa), you may need two cans to allow for multiple coats to get the walls fully covered.
If you don’t want to paint the entire room, consider painting an accent wall to give it a pop of color. If you have more time than funds, you can invest a few hours, a quart of paint, and a roll of painters tape into making a design on a wall instead. You might add a single stripe, a chevron stripe, or some free-hand circles around the room. You can get creative with the accent designs to make the room as fun as you want it to be.
4 – Have a Plan
One of the biggest things you can do to keep a makeover project budget friendly is to have a plan and a little patience. Think about it like this: if your car dies and you need a new car, you are at the mercy of the people who are selling cars at that exact time. If you are able to plan ahead on the purchase of your new car, you have significantly more bargaining power because you don’t NEED to purchase it immediately. You can wait for a better price to come along.
The exact same thing is true when it comes to purchases for your home. If you are determined to buy things on a certain day, you are at the mercy of what’s available on that exact day in the shops you can get to. If you’re able to instead plan the project, decide what you are going to look for, and then purchase when you find the items at the right price, you are in a much better position to find bargain pieces.
If you are handy, or you have a friend who is familiar with electrical wiring, you may want to consider changing out the light fixtures in your home to quickly update the space. Having light fixtures that are decades old often means that they are in an outdated style or finish, which can make the entire space look out of date. By swapping them out with an eye catching light fixture that you found on sale or at a thrift store, you can make a big impact change in that one item. One of my favorite stores to check for items like light fixtures is the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Many cities and towns that have a Habitat for Humanity program also have a Restore where they sell good quality home fixtures that have been removed from homes that were remodeled. It is a store where one man’s trash truly is another man’s treasure.
7 – Change Flooring
The final tip is definitely more hands-on, but can make a large impact in a room if you have just a little bit more money to spend and a weekend’s worth of time. Changing the flooring in a room can create a big change for not as much money as you are probably imagining.
Laminate flooring has come a long way in the last 5 years, and you can now buy a variety of great looking laminate flooring for less than $1/square foot. This lightweight, easy to install flooring can be printed with images of wood, stone, or other designs to give your room a totally new feel. Considering most bedrooms in homes are close to 12’ x 12’, that means you could change the flooring in a room for under $150.
If that is outside your budget, you still have options. Consider getting a large area rug to anchor the room. These are typically available at stores like Ross and Home Goods for $50 or less. Not only can they add a pop of color to your floor, but you can move them into new rooms if you ever feel like rearranging in the future.
Having a strict budget shouldn’t keep you from having a space that you love. For under $200 there are a number of quick changes you can make to your home. Mix and match a few ideas and you’ll be surprised at how quickly a little time and a few dollars can change the feel of your home.
Until next time, I’m the Domestic CEO, helping you love your home.
Become a Flathead and receive a free dessert for your birthday. Youâll also get a free Tijuana Trio when you sign up.
Kendra Scott offers a 50% birthday discount on one fashion jewelry or color bar item. It also offers a 25% discount on fine jewelry, sterling silver jewelry or gold vermeil jewelry. You can also get 25% off a home goods item. Find out more information here.
Members of the Kohlâs Rewards program get a âspecial birthday gift.â
Join the Wiener Loversâ Club, and get a free coupon each year on your birthday, plus a free chili dog for joining.
As a member of the Anthro Loyalty program, you will get a âspecial treat to celebrate your birthday.â
Auntie Anneâs
Join Fudgie Fanatics to receive a free treat for your birthday. You can get a small soft serve birthday cone, take off any cake (except for a small square) or take off any sheet cake.
Aveda
Receive a free cupcake (make that a bakerâs dozen if youâre a Red Velvet tier member) for your birthday when you join Sprinkles Perks.
Get a BOGO breakfast, brunch or lunch for your birthday as a member of the Sun EClub.
Bojanglesâ
Sign up for a Pinkcard or download the app, and receive a free yogurt on your birthday.
Brueggerâs Bagels
Join the eClub, and get off the purchase of two entrees, plus two free slices of pie, the choice of a free âMarieâs Magnificent Sixâ or a free slice of pie with the purchase of an entree on your birthday. Youâll also get a special dine-in offer for signing up. The company also sends special offers for your wedding anniversary and allows you to add family members so they can get birthday rewards.
Buca di Beppo
You need to spend to join Avedaâs loyalty rewards program, but youâll receive a birthday gift valued at , as well as double points for your next Aveda purchase.
If youâre a Raving Fan eClub member, you can enjoy a regular-size premium shake for your birthday, plus youâll get two free grilled chicken tacos when you sign up.
Chiliâs
Krispy Kreme Rewards members receive a free Original Glazed Dozen. Youâll also get a free doughnut when you sign up.
Chipotle
Receive a birthday gift when you sign up for JCPenney Rewards. If you are not a JCPenney credit card member, you must have earned points within the last 21 months.
Cinnabon
Get a birthday beverage or food item as a member of Starbucks Rewards.
Cold Stone Creamery
Join the YOMO Club, and get free yogurt on your birthday.
Columbia
Make sure youâre a member of the Waffle House Regulars Club to receive a free waffle on your birthday. Youâll also get free hashbrowns when you sign up.
Container Store
Sign up for My Harkins Rewards and receive a birthday coupon to use at the concessions.
Culverâs
Get a free Italian ice on your birthday when you download Ritaâs Ice App.
As a member of the Godiva Rewards Club, youâll get a free birthday chocolate offer every year.
Dippinâ Dots
These restaurants and retailers will provide you with free treats for your birthday. Be sure to sign up in advance.
Dunkinâ Donuts
Most of these places require you to sign up for their email list or join their rewards club at least seven days before your birthday.
Edible Arrangements
Join Premier Rewards Plus and get a free Pizookie for your birthday. Whatâs that? Itâs a big, warm cookie smothered in ice cream⦠yum. Whatâs even better is you donât have to wait for your birthday â youâll also get a free Pizookie just for signing up.
Einstein Bros. Bagels
Become an AMC Stubs Insider to get a free large popcorn during your birthday month. If youâre a Premiere or A-List member, youâll also get a free large fountain drink.
Famous Daveâs
When you become a BFF Club member, youâll receive a free birthday sundae.
Famous Footwear
Sign up for TCBY emails, and receive your first 3 ounces free on your birthday.
Firehouse Subs
Register for the Chefâs Table, and youâll get a birthday certificate.
First Watch
Create an account, join the Birthday Club, and get a free scoop of ice cream on your birthday.
Friendlyâs
Opt into the Birthday Club when you subscribe to Old Navyâs emails to get a âfree birthday gift.â
Godiva
As a member of So Connected, youâll get a choice of a free burger or a free garden bar entree on your birthday. Youâll also get a free appetizer for signing up.
Sign up for Dennyâs Rewards program online or via the mobile app. Youâll get 20% off your next visit, plus a free stack of buttermilk pancakes on your birthday when you order online at Dennys.com.
Hard Rock
Get a free dessert for your birthday when you join My Chiliâs Rewards Club, plus get free chips and salsa or a non-alcoholic beverage with every visit!
Hooters
Email club members get a free birthday entree, plus off just for joining.
Sign up for My Wei Rewards and choose from these birthday freebies: crab wontons, traditional edamame, vegetable spring rolls or pork egg roll. The reward will automatically appear in your app seven days prior to your birthday.
Members of the MyPerkins Club receive a free Magnificent Seven meal on their birthdays. The meal includes two eggs, any way you like, plus two smoked bacon strips and three buttermilk pancakes. Plus youâll get a 20% off coupon for signing up. You will also be able to add your children ages 12 and under so they can get birthday rewards, too.
Krispy Kreme
As a member of the ExtraCare Beauty Club, youâll get âbirthday gifts with beauty surprises,â as well as 10% off for joining.
Enjoy a free sundae on your birthday when you sign up for MyCulverâs. Youâll also get a BOGO value basket when you sign up.
Red Lobster
Download the Tropical Smoothie Cafe app to be eligible for a birthday reward. What you get depends on your loyalty tier, but it ranges from a reward to a free menu item.
Red Robin
Join the free DSW VIP Club to get a birthday reward. Youâll also get on your birthday if you spend 0 annually as a VIP Gold member, and youâll get if you spend 0 annually as a VIP Elite member.
Sign up for Arbyâs emails and get a free milkshake and curly fries on your birthday when you buy any sandwich. Youâll also get a free small fries and small soft drink when you sign up.
Ruby Tuesday
Get a complimentary dessert on your birthday by signing up for the eClub. Youâll get a free dessert or appetizer when you sign up.
Sephora
Members of Club Fondue will get a âbirthday voucher.â
Sbarro
Members of the Brueggerâs Bagels eClub will enjoy a âfree treatâ on their birthday, as well as a free bagel and cream cheese just for signing up.
Sign up for the email club, and get off when you spend at least . Youâll also get a free appetizer when you sign up.
Starbucks
Join Edible Rewards and receive a free 12-count chocolate dipped fruit box (valued at .99) during your birthday month. Youâll also get a coupon for signing up (valid for 30 days).
Subway
Become a member of the Slice Society to get a birthday surprise. Youâll also get a free New York slice when you buy a beverage after signing up.
Swagbucks
Join the Chipotle rewards program to get free chips and guacamole on your birthday when you make a purchase of or more. When you sign up and make your first purchase, youâll also get free chips and a choice of guacamole, queso blanco or salsa.
Pro Tip
Get a free birthday sub when you sign up for the email club.
TCBY
Sign up for Redbox Perks and receive a free birthday rental (it must be used within 60 days). Youâll also get a free one-night rental for signing up (that offer is valid for two weeks).
Texas Roadhouse
As an Ultamate Rewards member, youâll get an offer for extra bonus points on all purchases during your birthday month.
Sign up for the email club, and get a free dessert on your birthday.
The Spaghetti Warehouse
Subscribe to Club Cinnabon to get a free iced coffee on your birthday and a free order of BonBites for signing up.
Tijuana Flats
Get a free egg sandwich with a purchase on your birthday when you join the Shmear Society â not totally free, but hey, youâll need something to help wash that sandwich down. Youâll have 14 days to claim your reward.
Tropical Smoothie Cafe
When you sign up for Factory First, youâll get an extra 20% off and free shipping on your birthday. Youâll also get an extra 15% off your first purchase after signing up.
Ulta Beauty
Members of the Pandora Club get a 15% discount during their birthday month. This offer can only be used one time and is valid on regular-priced jewelry only.
Uniqlo
Youâll receive a free pasta after signing up, as well as a birthday gift for joining the eClub.
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
Join Club Cantina and get free queso on your birthday, and just for signing up.
Waffle House
Download the Uniqlo app to get a birthday coupon during your birthday month.
Wienerschnitzel
Join the Warehouse Club, and get a free meal on your birthday, plus a free appetizer with an entree purchase for becoming a member of the club.
World Market
Get a free Bo-Berry Biscuit with a purchase on your birthday as a member of the Bojanglesâ eClub.
Yogurt Mountain
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Sign up for the email club and youâll get a free appetizer or a sidekick of ribs on your birthday. As a member of the Longhorn Steakhouseâs eClub, youâll get âspecial offers and couponsâ on your birthday. Youâll also get a free appetizer when you sign up.
Hello friends! Praise be, the election is over and I just marked my birthday over the weekend – my official holiday season milestone. Whenever the calendar passes November 8, I feel like I can finally turn 100% of my attention to all things holiday. Obviously, the holidays are going to look and feel very different than years past. Perhaps instead of the holiday season, we should start referring to the next few months as the hunker down season. Because that’s what holidays in the time of Covid are going to require of us. But I’m not entirely mad about the idea of holing up at home. I’ll take a very valid excuse to look for ways to make my home as cozy, comforting, and beautiful as possible.
Enter the new rug collection fromBeni Rugs, designed by my style soul twin, Colin King.
Called the Shape of Color, this new rug collection offers eleven Moroccan style rugs. Each rug features shocks of color inspired by Tangier and Marrakech. The hues are deeply saturated in simple geometric shapes or big bold stripes.
While I typically eschew color, rugs are a wonderful spot to inject something fresh into a room. I used a bold colored rug in my own living room. The particularly nice thing about a rug – it’s an easy way to reenergize a space without really having to change anything else.
There are a few secrets to picking out a rug. First, you want to think about size. A common mistake is getting a rug that is too small. You want all (or nearly all) your furniture in a space to sit on your rug. That helps a room feel anchored and like everything is working together. A too-small rug will actually make a small space feel even smaller!
Next, you want to think about foot traffic. If you’re looking to put a rug in a high foot traffic area, you’ll want to ensure any rug you select will withstand an onslaught of dirt and use.
Finally, when adding a colorful rug to your space you don’t need to “match your decor. You just want to keep everything in the same design family. Do you decorate with mostly warm colors or cooler tones? That will help you pick your colors.
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If you’re looking to upgrade the coziness of your home before the holidays hit, I definitely think one of these rugs would be a great way to do it. I’m already debating which one I might add to our house. I do have a home office refresh in the works! If I pick out one of these rugs – I’ll be sure to share.
How are you planning on sprucing up your spaces for the holidays?
images c/o beni rugs
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