If you have ever watched "Design on a Dime" or "Trading Spaces," you know it's possible to doll up a bedroom without investing a fortune. The problem is that, one these shows, the clients have the benefit of expert decorators and handymen. Can decorating a bedroom on the cheap be done on your own? Try these simple strategies for an updated look.
Add Color
Adding color need not be a huge investment. Grab a can of paint from a discontinued line or the bargain bin and try it as an accent wall, on the door or framing windows and doors. You can also create or use stencils for the wall trim to create bright borders. Brighten up a window with a quick cafe curtain that you can stitch by hand or buy for under 20 dollars from the Martha Stewart line. Add a throw on the bed. For extra color and texture, try ethnic cloth like an Indian sari or a batik design from Africa. Add an impromptu headboard for your bed by painting one directly onto the wall.
Add Art
Artwork is a great shortcut to updating your bedroom's look. Comb flea markets, thrift stores and yard sales for paintings in cool frames. You might choose to use just the frame, replacing the artwork. You can also create some quick art of your own. Get a simple canvas and staple some bright and beautiful fabric around it to add some visual pop. Create a collage of family photographs or a shadow box shrine of mementos.
Add Storage
Switching out that clutter for some nice smooth surfaces can do a big favor to your bedroom's overall look. Those stacks of paper can move to flat, square baskets that you can store under the bed. Use baskets and boxes to define closet space and allow for more storage of small or disparate items. Now that you have opened up the space, you can store some of your more aesthetically pleasing items out in the open. For example, put up a floating wall shelf to show off a prized collection.
Tags: also create, your bedroom
